Kid-sized rubber is flying up on three wheels around the corner. Blades of autumn grass are slicing underneath the wobbly course of the red joy mobile. Water is dancing through the creek in a shining, crystal background. This is going to be perfect. A squealing three-year-old at the wagon’s helm is bounding into focus. Just have to crouch down a little more. There, that’s it. Joy is about to be forever captured in a matter of “One, two, three, CHEESE!” Nailed it.
This is what it’s like for Kristina Rose to live out her dreams. Her idea of success: a child in one hand, a camera in the other, and a smile on her face. Today, with three kids and a photography business eight years in the making, that’s exactly what she has. But it hasn’t always been that way. In fact, just a few years ago, it seemed woefully out of reach.
One morning, Kristina realized she couldn’t move. The pain was searing. Her back seemed locked. Her feet were swollen beyond recognition. It’s a familiar place for many women navigating the joys and trials of pregnancy. For Kristina, it begged the question: If she couldn’t even get off the ground, how could her vision for a happy life get off the ground?
Beep, beep, beep. She dialed in the numbers to begin a desperate phone call, accompanied by uncertain expectations, to our Christiansburg clinic. Kristina detailed her plight of pregnancy paired with pain and a lack of mobility. She left her contact information, then hung up. She figured she would have to wait her turn for relief – weeks, maybe even months.
Then, almost immediately, on a Sunday morning, her iPhone ringtone shattered the silence. Much-needed hope came in the form of Doctor Lee Matthis’ voice, returning her call from our Christiansburg clinic. His concern for her condition was not constrained by business hours, and neither was his take-charge spirit when it came to making sure she had a convenient and quick appointment.  “Can you come in tomorrow?” he asked.
Kristina was now floored emotionally, not just physically. Dr.Matthis called her back on a weekend, and got her in the next day.  “I was blown away, because that just doesn’t happen,” Kristina recalled.  
As if that wasn’t unique enough, her experience at our Christiansburg clinic made her jaw drop even farther. She had received compassionate, effective care at other places in the past. She had also, on occasion, been treated quickly. But never both at once. The simplicity, convenience, and compassion was life-changing and opened up new possibilities for what it could mean to live pain free.  Kristina said, “I like that it was quick. I got the service I needed, and I felt better.”
Just like that, Kristina was hooked and has been a consistent Tuck Chiropractic patient ever since. We were honored to be part of her second and third pregnancies, which meant the crippling swelling that accompanied her first pregnancy was not a reality she had to relive with her other pregnancies. Kristina said, “My OB was so surprized. Even my deliveries were better.”
These days, Kristina is living her version of the American dream. Whether it be kneeling to get that perfect shot, or hoisting a curious child on her shoulders, she still calls Dr. Matthis the moment any stiffness or soreness creeps in on the rhythm of her busy life. But it’s not one-sided. Every year on her birthday, she hears from her Tuck team. It’s that care, in every sense of the word, which keeps her coming back.  “Somebody went out of their way to do something extra. I was valued.”

Have you ever experienced an ache or pain that seems to have appeared out of the blue? While you might feel your pain popped up out of nowhere, this isn’t always the case. The reality may be that the issue you are “suddenly” experiencing isn’t sudden at all. Rather, it is an issue that has been around and has finally decided to rear its head.
You see, the body is resilient and has the incredible ability of compensating for minor bumps and bruises, allowing it to continue functioning as optimally as possible. However, over time these bumps and bruises can add up; and the body begins to adapt less and less and the injuries are expressed as pain. This process can take days, month, years, or decades to lead to pain that prompts a person to visit their doctor.
Additionally, the healing time for persistent problems is often proportionate to the amount of time the injury has been present, and increases if the problems have been ignored after its initial occurrence.  For these reasons, our team at Tuck Chiropractic suggests treatment specifically designed for individual patients and their needs, with the attempt to get rid of not only the painful symptoms that brought them to our office, but the root cause of those symptoms as well.
One patient success story that demonstrates the importance of proper care is that of Charity – an 11-year-old girl who suffered from hip problems dating back to when she was an infant. No doctor could pinpoint the cause, until Charity’s mom called our office. Dr. Matthis was able to relieve Charity of her pain. Initially, Charity visited our office three times a week for the first two weeks, then two times a week, and finally she was able to go a full month in between adjustments. What took years to develop required time and persistence to resolve.
In this instance, Dr. Matthis explained how injuries are similar to a vehicle hitting a pothole. At first, everything with your vehicle seems fine as you continue on down the road. However, problems may arise and emerge the longer and further you drive.
We all know how important it is to take care of your body. However, it’s just as important to listen to your body. If your back is aching or you have been suffering from neck pain your body is trying to tell you something is out of whack. Rather than waiting until the pain is unbearable, consider contacting your chiropractor. Chiropractic care utilizes a variety of different methods to ensure optimal patient outcomes and long-term solutions.
A few common reasons people come see our team is if they are suffering from back pain, headaches, stress or arthritis. Getting patients back to their normal quality of life and living pain-free is our ultimate goal, and we find patients who commit to the necessary care overcome long-term wear and tear that has caused problems. However – this won’t happen overnight. Our team typically recommends a treatment plan to ensure the issue is resolved, rather than a quick-fix solution that acts as a Band-Aid.
Are you suffering from pain? Do you want to get back your quality of life? If you answered yes to either of those questions, we encourage you to make an appointment today at one of our 10 locations across the New River Valley. Our team is dedicated to helping you feel better and live well. 

‘Why’ – such a short word that that has the ability to reveal so much. At the end of the day everyone has their own personal why. Why they chose the college they attended, why they took a leap of faith, why they made a life-changing decision, or why they chose their career path. For Dr. Emily Ranstadler the reason she chose chiropractic isn’t what you may expect, as she actually started out on the other side of the examination table as a chiropractic patient desperately looking for relief.
Dr. Ranstadler’s first calling—before she began pursuing chiropractic—was serving our country in the United States Marine Corp as a helicopter mechanic and aerial observer. While in service, she obtained a B.A. in Criminal Justice. During her education, a forensics class piqued her interest in anatomy, something crucial for chiropractors to understand. Dr. Ranstadler’s background and experience was the launching pad to future greatness—and a great example of her consistent track record of striving to positively impact others.
Her journey towards a career in chiropractic began with excruciating back pain. One morning Dr. Ranstadler (Emily at that time) woke up with “explosive” back pain and still remembers lying on her kitchen floor, staring at the ceiling, trying to breathe. “I assessed my situation and realized my options were pretty grim,” she recalls. “My husband was in Afghanistan, my friendly neighbors recently moved away, and my 16 month old was screaming his head off upstairs.” Then she had an idea: she had seen a chiropractor several months prior and remembered feeling good after an adjustment. She began calling chiropractors in her area, made an appointment, found the strength to get dressed and grab her baby, and was on her way to the appointment that would change her life and career aspirations (and relieve her back pain).
Following her visit, Dr. Ranstadler felt instant relief. As she was driving home she came to the realization that she didn’t want anyone to feel the pain she felt that morning, she wanted to be part of the solution to the pain so many people suffer from. That very same day, she began calling chiropractic schools. Ultimately, Dr. Ranstadler graduated Magna Cum Laude from Sherman College of Chiropractic, achieving her goal of obtaining an education to help others deal with pain that may be interfering with their quality of life.
While taking prerequisites, she completed a massage therapy course, which improved her clinical skills and now helps her with patient interaction. During chiropractic school, Dr. Ranstadler concurrently obtained an M.S. in Sports and Health Science. “I am very interested in how movement plays into overall function, maybe a crossover from my days of troubleshooting aircraft,” she said.
For an individual questioning whether chiropractic is the right choice for them, Dr. Ranstadler has some advice. “A good chiropractor should always take the time to speak to you, address your concerns, and explain what your options are before proceeding with treatment plans. Additionally, a thorough exam should be performed so that the safest and most effective treatment can be offered for your individual case,” she explained. “I think that at Tuck, we do a great job of gathering the right information to give great care or help get you where you need to be.”
Dr. Ranstadler’s path to joining our team is filled with dedication and passion: two qualities that have led her to be the successful and caring chiropractor she is today. We are very fortunate to work alongside Dr. Ranstadler, who is also a Certified Massage Therapist, NSCA Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. When she is not serving patients at our Roanoke-Peters Creek office, Dr. Ranstadler finds joy spending time with her husband and two sons, as well as exploring the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

Much like driving a car fueled by gas, our bodies can’t function properly without water. Without proper fuel, a vehicle’s engine will break down or become unreliable.  Our bodies are made up of 70% water, and without proper hydration, our ability to function is diminished substantially.
Since childhood, we’ve been told to drink water so accepting this reality comes easy. However, if you look further into this, you’ll find that water is more important than you may realize. Water is key to regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients, and lubricating joints. Without proper hydration, the body is unable to function optimally. The health of the spine, in particular, relies heavily on proper hydration.

How Does The Spine Work?

As crucial as the spine is within daily activities, it is important to understand its mechanics. At its core, the spine is home to vertebrae, rows of bone that align vertically. Wedged between each bone is a disc which works to absorb shock when bending, twisting, or flexing. Discs between the vertebrae ensure the bones do not rub together, therefore, reducing shock.
Within each disk of the vertebrae lies a nucleus pulposus. The nucleus pulposus is mainly made of water and provides movement as the spine rotates and moves in various directions. From the loss of hydration in discs, the adult spine is capable of losing height daily. Without proper rehydration, disc height starts to gradually reduce creating other medical issues.

Spinal Issues Resulting From Dehydration

Dehydration deeply affects spinal health as discs become compressed or unable to refill. Unable to refill, discs that lack proper hydration remain compressed leading to potential spinal injury. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, water loss causes discs to collapse between vertebrae resulting in injury. Injuries like spinal stenosis, degenerative disc, and herniated disc can arise from a core of dehydrated discs within vertebrae. This creates an immediate need for treatment and subsequent preventative measures.

How Can The Spine Rehydrate?

As your entire body relies on proper hydration, it is important to not only drink plenty of water, but eat foods that hydrate, as well. Not only does direct water consumption hydrate but incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet also aids in hydration Watermelon, cantaloupe, lettuce, tomatoes, or strawberries are made of more than 90% water and also contain essential nutrients. Eating and drinking things that hydrate will help your spine function more efficiently.
There is a lot of question about the right amount of water to drink in order to ensure proper hydration. Common wisdom is to drink eight glasses (8 ounces each) per day but this general rule isn’t always the right amount for everyone. For example, if you are active or have a propensity to sweat a lot your needs will increase beyond this. We found a cool calculator to help determine your water needs based on things such as your age, size, and activity level.
While hydrating is a great starting point, water replenishment may not fully heal spinal injuries or back pain. Chiropractic care to include spinal manipulation or adjustments is recommended for those with injury in relationship to the spine.  We offer extensive varieties of treatment, to include herniated disc treatment. We believe in positively impacting your health and wellness and know that chiropractic care and proper hydration are two keys to this.

Putting It All Together

Just as you keep fuel in the gas tank of your car, maintain appropriate hydration for the health of your spine and overall wellness. Proper hydration through daily water intake and a diet rich in fruits and veggies will keep you feeling and functioning at your very best. Remember: if the spine becomes dehydrated, chances of spinal injury increase. A combination of tailored chiropractic care and hydration through both food and water are key to repairing and preventing such injuries.

Feel Better. Live Better.

Whether you are suffering from pain, or are interested in learning how to live a more healthy lifestyle we invite you to reach out to the clinic location that is most convenient to you and begin to reap the positive benefits of chiropractic care.

Pregnancy and raising small children can stress your body, often resulting in back pain. Can chiropractic help?

Parenting and Back Pain

Pregnancy-related back pain doesn’t necessarily end when a woman gives birth. One of five women who suffer from back pain during pregnancy say they still experience it afterward, according to a three-year follow-up study in the European Spine Journal.
In the first few years of parenting, mothers are prone to move in ways that can wreak havoc on their backs. Lifting and scooping up children, carrying them on one hip, toting heavy diaper bags, and adapting their own sleeping and sitting positions can all add up to do a number on mom’s spinal health.

What Can You Do?

If you’re a mother, there are ways to care for a young child and at the same time minimize the pressure childrearing puts on your body, including:

• Using your legs when you lift: Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, lift your child while squatting slightly and bending forward from your hips, as opposed to lifting with your back.
• Keeping your back straight: When putting your child down, hold him or her as close to you as possible, taking care not to round your back.
• Lightening your load. Is everything you carry in your diaper bag really necessary? Periodically take inventory of your bag, removing any items you don’t really need. Try wearing the bag across your body instead of on one shoulder. If you must wear it on your shoulder, switch sides from time to time.
• Sitting up straight. When breastfeeding, maintain good posture, and for extra support, put a pillow between your back and the chair. Remember to contract and release stomach muscles to help strengthen and support your core.

Getting enough sleep, eating well, maintaining good posture, and doing simple core exercises also can help ease the pressures that often lead to back pain.
We understand how hard it can be for moms to put their wellness first, but if you’re experiencing pain following your pregnancy, it’s important to prioritize your health so that you can continue caring for those you love.

Is Chiropractic Right for You?

Chiropractic care can help reduce pain and relieve the stress on a pregnant woman’s nervous system, and also may help with problems mothers encounter after pregnancy — sometimes even long afterward.
A good example comes from Caitlyn, a mother of two and a member of our own marketing team, who sought chiropractic care for the first time for increasing back pain.
After an initial assessment at our Christiansburg clinic, Dr. Matthis determined that Caitlyn’s back pain was likely caused by misalignment of her pelvis after two recent pregnancies. After a series of six adjustments, Caitlyn’s back pain was gone.
We offer chiropractic treatment for the entire family with convenient appointments in a welcoming atmosphere. Our professionals are trained to ease the back pain experienced by pregnant women and parents of young children through proven techniques including spinal manipulation, exercises, and stretches. Contact Tuck Chiropractic Clinic with any questions or to schedule an appointment for your initial assessment today.
Image by Daria Garnik/123RF.

It was 16 years ago and Joyce was crippled by pain. She said, “My back pain was so bad I was unable to straighten up.” Joyce wanted the pain to go away but felt like she didn’t have any options. She is allergic to prescription pain medications and can’t take most over the counter drugs because she donated one of her kidneys. Her husband suggested (and insisted) she see Dr. Jennifer Rathmann, at our Blacksburg clinic. During that visit, Joyce experienced tremendous relief and realized that chiropractic care manages her chronic back pain in ways medication can’t.
Chiropractic has been a complete game changer for Joyce. She experienced such relief that she has consistently received adjustments on a monthly or weekly basis since that initial visit back in 2000. Beyond the back pain, she also has arthritis in her neck, which is a condition that requires consistent wellness work. Dr. Rathmann not only provides adjustments but also helps with traction treatments, which relieve the pressure and neck pain from arthritis.
Keeping her pain in check allows Joyce to fulfill her duties at work. For the last 9 years, Joyce has worked for the United States Post Office as a mail carrier. Her day starts bright and early whens he shows up to sort the mail, which can take up to four hours. She then spends many hours delivering the mail, as many as seven. She explained, “We don’t have time to stop. You do it until all of the mail is delivered, no matter how long it takes.” The Christmas season, which is the most wonderful time of the year for most of us, is also the busiest time of year for her. The long periods of sitting each day, as she delivers mail, can wreck havoc on her back. Fortunately, she has an effective and flexible solution for those days. Joyce explained:

Working with the post office you don’t have time to stop. You go in each morning without knowing how much mail or packages there will be. Whenever I get through I can call over to Dr. Rathmann and they always do their best to fit me in, it’s wonderful.

Joyce still recalls her very first chiropractic adjustment, which was the day after Labor Day back in 2000. Dr. Rathmann remembers those early days too:

When Joyce first came to our office she was working a factory type of job where she was standing all day, doing a lot of repetitive lifting, twisting and turning. Now she is working at the Post Office and does a lot of the same type of activities in addition to long periods of daily driving. We are always happy to see Joyce walk into our Clinic, smiling, even after a long day at work. It really is my pleasure to help her!

The story of Joyce’s experience with Dr. Rathmann and the Tuck team is one about victory over pain but also about a special relationship that has developed in the process. Dr. Rathmann said, “Every September, Joyce comes in and wishes me a Happy Anniversary.” They have experienced the births of children and grandchildren during the tenure of their patient-doctor relationship and have been able to celebrate these major milestones together.
When Joyce isn’t busy at the post office she is busy with her biggest love, family. She has ten grandchildren ages four to 19. Each Sunday she takes her youngest grandbaby to church with her, and wouldn’t miss it for the world (and especially not for back pain). Convenient and consistent chiropractic care allows Joyce to work hard, embrace life, and overcome pain.
 
 

Striving for perfection during the holidays can lead to stress, and that can put an extra strain on your spine.

• Focus on what’s important. Reflect on your beliefs and values as they relate to the season, and try to spend time with those who share your priorities.
• Take care of yourself. Eat healthfully, and take note of any early signs of stress. Instead of giving in to your cravings for sweets, caffeine, and alcohol, choose meals that feature lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and dark, leafy greens. The body converts the beta-carotene found in dark, leafy greens and most orange vegetables and fruits into vitamin A, an antioxidant essential for back health that helps process protein, repair tissue, and form strong bones.
• Don’t be afraid to say no. Set boundaries for yourself and your family during the busy holiday season, and never say yes to a request immediately, even if you are confident you can fulfill the obligation. Give yourself some time to think about it and consider carefully whether this is something you really want to do before you respond to the request.
• Get some fresh air and sunshine. Spending at least 30 minutes each day outdoors, even on cloudy and stormy days, will help you get enough vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium, a mineral that helps build bones and avoid joint and musculoskeletal pain and osteoporosis.
• Follow your joy. What holiday activities bring you the most happiness? Concentrate on those and don’t worry about the other things that may make you frustrated and increase your stress level.
• Make daily priorities and stick to them. Focus on getting a manageable number of tasks done each day. Don’t take on too much to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
• Have realistic expectations. During the holiday season, it is not uncommon for people to want things to be perfect. Try to resist this urge and avoid frustration by accepting that things don’t always work out as we planned.

According to a study published by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), expectations have a large effect on pain, and positive thinking produces about a 28 percent decrease in pain, equal to a shot of morphine. The NINDS data showed that what you think can really change what you experience, and positive expectations, particularly during the busy, stressful holiday season, can be an important addition to managing chronic pain and maintaining spinal health.
Image Copyright: whitestar1955 / 123RF Stock Photo

Carrying The Heavy Load

When we were growing up it was the norm to use your locker throughout the day, but today’s kids backpack around their schools. Yet during my near-decade of teaching in the public schools, it didn’t matter how many times I encouraged students to use their lockers—they always said they never had enough time.
Sure, kids need to bring books home to do homework, which is part of the issue: in a recent study published in the American Journal of Family Therapy, students receive three times the recommended load of homework. Still, homework isn’t the ultimate culprit.
Schools give students a very short amount of time to visit lockers in between class changes. Administrators implement this policy not just to maximize time spent in the classroom, but also to help curb tardiness and hallway fights. As a result, students feel they have no choice but to lug around their entire lockers’ worth of books.

The Bigger Problem

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that your child’s backpack never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight, but it seems that students are carrying heavier weights than this on a daily basis.
An MRI Study found that heavy backpacks do contribute to back pain in children. The problem isn’t necessarily with the actual bag, per se; it’s with how heavy the contents are and how a student carries that weight. It’s just common sense, after all: when you put a heavy weight on your back and don’t carry it properly, you’re likely to pull or strain something.

What Parents Can Do

No, you can’t carry your children’s books for them. You’ll fight an uphill battle fighting administration to alter the school schedule to allow for more time between classes (although schools might find a reasonable request to base locker assignments on lunch dismissal classes, giving students a mid-day checkpoint at least to drop off and pick up new books).  So what can you do?

• When you’re out shopping for back-to-school supplies, have your child try on backpacks:  the bag should look proportional to your kid.
• A backpack fits properly when its weight falls between your neck and your waist.
• Look for a bag with wide, padded, shoulder straps and encourage your student to use both of them—the one-shoulder look may feel easier or look “cool,” but it will wreak havoc on your child’s posture and back.
• After that point, buy the smallest lightweight backpack that meets your child’s needs.  Keep in mind that canvas is lighter than leather, and the bigger the bag, the more unnecessary stuff your child can pack into it.
• Teach your child to pack smart:  heaviest books go in first and closest to your back, and only bring home what you need in order to complete your homework.
• Choose a time before the start of a new week (so Friday after school or Sunday night) to have your child clean out their backpacks so he or she isn’t carrying around any unnecessary weight.
• Work with your child to develop a strategy to map out more locker time.  Ideally, he or she could switch out books before the first class, on the way to or out of lunch, on the way to a class, and at the end of the day.

If your child complains about back, neck, or shoulder pain, certainly consider how heavy his or her school bag is, make adjustments, and don’t hesitate to discuss this issue with your general practitioner at the next well visit, or reach out to your local chiropractor.

Keeping a positive attitude is one of the first steps in working through chronic pain.

1) Maintain a Positive Attitude

Try to stay as positive as possible, as hard as this may sound. When positive, your attitude can hasten the healing process and reduce the emotional pain that frequently accompanies an injury. When you’re negative, you can actually slow down the rehabilitation process and end up feeling as bad emotionally as you do physically.

2) Take an Active Part in the Healing Process

Follow the advice of your physician or chiropractor closely, and be as compliant with orders as possible. Practice healing imagery, which is using the mind to help heal your body. Spend at least 5 to 10 minutes a day visualizing your pain diminishing and your back healing. If you work as hard to heal as you did playing your sport, it will make you feel less vulnerable and much more in control.

3) Set New Goals

During the recovery process, you may have to step back and measure your success differently than you used to, based upon your current condition. Focus on getting stronger, not on what you used to be able to do. Once you’re on the road to recovery, you can revisit prior goals and work to maintain your fitness.

4) Practice Mindfulness

Pain creates tension in the body, and the brain responds by amplifying the pain and creating stress, which can aggravate injuries. Mindfulness can stop that cycle by providing a different way to deal with stress. With practice, your pain and suffering may be reduced through mindfulness.

5) Continue to Work Out

Continue to work out if you are able to do so — if not physically, then mentally. Use visualization to mentally see, hear, and feel yourself performing flawlessly. Regular visualization of your skills will keep the neuromuscular connections in your body activated so when you are ready to begin actual workouts, you will be ready to perform.

6) Be Patient

Allow yourself the time to heal properly. If you rush the process, you may be setting yourself up for another, more serious injury that could very well result in even more time spent on the sidelines.
If you are experiencing back pain, contact Tuck Chiropractic Clinic to schedule a consultation. In addition to treatment to help relieve or prevent back pain, our experienced chiropractors can provide expert advice for staying pain-free.
Image by maridav/123RF.