Knowing when your body needs adjusting.
When it comes to overall wellness, adding chiropractic care to your tool belt can make a world of difference.
“Chiropractic care is about helping your body get into the best position for it to function and perform properly, or to the best of its ability,” says Dr. Nick Knaup, DC. “A by product of your care is less pain and feeling better.”
“Chiropractic care is about helping your body get into the best position for it to function and perform properly…”
DR. NICK KNAUP
Nick owns Mid-MO House Calls, a chiropractic practice that treats patients in the comfort of their own home or office. His model of house calls is unique these days, but it illustrates a dedication to his patients who want convenient care without traveling or long wait times. It also allows him to assess their office or home environment to see if they are contributing to their symptoms. When addressing problem areas, he says it’s best to focus on the whole picture. The goal is to restore proper function and mobility.
Nick knows firsthand the benefits of chiropractic care, and they’re what led him down this professional path. A Jefferson City native, Nick worked in landscaping and lawncare throughout his time at Helias High School and the University of Missouri.
“I experienced a pretty significant back injury and that led me to my first experience with chiropractic
care,” he says. “It was the main thing that got me back up and moving, and it really opened my eyes to how the body functions. I went to chiropractic school after that.” He has been in practice since 2015.
More Than Meets the Eye
If you’ve not experienced a visit to the chiropractor, you might think it’s mostly about adjusting neck back into place. It’s far more than that. For example, Dr. Knaup is also certified in both performance health. rehabilitation and certified postural ergonomy. He also is trained in acupuncture, soft tissues therapy, and is a reflex performance reset specialist (RPR).
Like other medical professions, chiropractors can specialize or gain certifications in many areas. It’s important to look for a practitioner who is trained in the area you are seeking adjustments in.
Pain Points
Some people might experience pain from your neck, back, or a rib being out of place. For others, you might notice your posture is off or you’re having issues with mobility. This can come from your body experiencing misalignment.
“Are your shoulders or hips even or level? Is your neck tight? You can have alignment issues without pain,” Nick says. Dysfunctional areas that stay out of place or out of alignment for extended periods of time can lead to subsequent pain or symptoms.
“Whenever things are functioning properly, you start to see other results and improvements versus just a decrease in pain.”
Seeking Help
If you experience neck, back, rib pain, or headaches, a chiropractor might be able to help you.
“Being stiff and achy is not normal. If something feels off, get it checked out. Chiropractic care can help with musculoskeletal pain amongst other conditions.”
Along with the ailments listed above, a chiropractor can also help with stiff ness, mobility issues, vertigo, scoliosis, arthritis, balance issues, sciatica pain, and disc issues.
“Your nervous system regulates everything in your body. Stress can manifest as pain or tension. I can add in acupuncture to help with anxiety, depression, and general stress levels.”
“In general, overall movement is great for your health. Walking is great and so is yoga and weight training. Try to have proper hydration, a balanced diet, and get enough sleep.”
Correcting the Issue
“Overall, if the body’s mechanics are altered, it’s going to irritate different areas. Joints can wear out and this wear and tear leads to arthritis.”
If you ignore your trouble areas, your body will find different ways to compensate. For example, if your hip is out of alignment, it might begin to cause knee pain or different muscles might feel tight.
“From a pain standpoint, you want to make sure that everything is functioning properly. If you don’t seek care, it most likely will happen again. Correcting the issue will help alleviate pain and reduce possible future flair ups.”
Preventable Care
Preventable care begins with making sure your body is in proper alignment and that you don’t have any under-lying issues.
“In general, overall movement is great for your health. Walking is great and so is yoga and weight training. Try to have proper hydration, a balanced diet, and get enough sleep.”
Paying attention to your ergonomics at home and at work is key. If you’re feeling sore and stiff at the end of the day, assess your computer setup and how it impacts your overall body. If you wake up sore in the morning, maybe it’s time to look at what kind of mattress and pillows you’re using. While it feels relaxing, humans aren’t meant to just sit in one place all day.
“Put a sticky note on your computer with reminders to sit up straight or to get up and take a walk. Change positions every 30-60 minutes if you sit at a computer or drive all day. It doesn’t matter how long you get up and move, the change in position is what you want.”
Chiropractic care can help with:
Neck pain, back pain, headaches, rib pain, stiffness, mobility issues, vertigo, scoliosis.