A quick hello from Midwest Chiropractic!

At Midwest Chiropractic, we believe it’s important for a patients to know who we are and why we care. As a team of wellness professionals, we strive to provide the best service and connect with our patients on a deep and meaningful level. We understand chronic pain and we understand the importance of all-natural, pharmaceutical free healing. That’s why we’re here to provide you with an opportunity for better health! Contact our office at 847-253-2112 to make an appointment.

Dr. Joe Baric has been practicing chiropractic care for 26 years. He specializes in the care of children as well as pre-natal chiropractic.

When Dr. Baric isn’t realigning the spine, he’s taking care of patients with nutritional assessments and acupuncture. Dr. Baric spends the majority of the day talking with patients about methods to improve their health and nutrition. 

His Chiropractic Assistants, Maggie and Nikki, are there every step of the way. From greeting patients to answering phones, these girls work non-stop to make sure the clinic runs efficiently and in an organized fashion.

Natural Pain Relief: Popular Herbal Options

Treating Back Pain with Popular Herbs

Back pain is a killer for many of my clients. While I am always able to provide them with the right chiropractic care, there are other ways to treat pain without medication. Here are some common herbal remedies used for natural pain relief:

• Capsaicin. Derived from hot chile peppers, topical capsaicin may be useful for some people in relieving pain. “Capsaicin works by depleting substance P, a compound that conveys the pain sensation from the peripheral to the central nervous system. It takes a couple of days for this to occur,” says David Kiefer, MD, assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.

  

  In nature the spicy sensation of capsaicin is an irritant for most animals . However, people add this spice to all kinds of food.

• Ginger.  Ginger extract may help with joint and muscle pain because it contains phytochemicals, which help stop inflammation. Few side effects have been linked to ginger when taken in small doses.

  

  Ginger root might look like a slight mutation of nature, however the anit-inflammatory properties allow it to promote healing in all parts of the body.

• Feverfew. Feverfew has been used for centuries to treat headaches stomachaches, and toothaches. Nowadays it’s also used for migraines and arthritis. More studies are required to confirm whether feverfew is actually effective, but the herb may be worth trying since it hasn’t been associated with serious side effects. Mild side effects include canker sores and irritation of the tongue and lips. Pregnant women should avoid this remedy!

  

  Although it sounds like a spice, feverfew is actually a flower most commonly found in southwest Europe.

• Turmeric. This spice has been used to relieve arthritis pain and heartburn, and to reduce inflammation. It’s unclear how turmeric works against pain or inflammation, but its activity may be due to a chemical called curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is usually safe to use, but high doses or long-term use may cause indigestion. Also, people with gallbladder disease should avoid using turmeric.

  

  Turmeric can be used in foods like rice, lentils, potatoes and meat. It can also be added to tea for an extra hint of healing flavor.

  
  

• Devil’s Claw. There is some scientific evidence that this South African herb may be effective in managing arthritis and lower back pain, but more research is needed. Side effects are very rare if taken at a therapeutic dose for the short term, but it’s not advised for pregnant women and those with gallstones or stomach or intestinal ulcers.

  

  Most often found in southwestern California and Arizona, Devil’s Claw helps lower back pain and symptoms of arthritis.

That chair is going to kill you: Negative consequences of sitting

Do you sit in a chair all day hunched over and glued to the keyboard? Do you drive home through miles of traffic, hanging over the steering wheel like you’re clinging to the edge of a cliff? Do you sit down to eat dinner, to read a book, to give your child a bath?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your spine could be in serious danger. According to the Washington Post, sitting for four to eight hours a day can increase your chances of an early mortality as well as disk damage and an inflexible spine.

Bad Back: When the human body is active, it allows the spinal column to stretch and absorb nutrients that exist in the bloodstream. However, when the human body remains sedentary for long periods of time on a consistent basis, nutrients can’t be absorbed, making it harder for blood to flow. A loss of circulation to the spine results in collagen build up and eventually herniated lumbar discs.

Leg Disorders: Sitting for a long period of time can also slow blood circulation in the legs and cause fluid to remain stagnant. Problems like swollen legs, varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis can occur overtime. Sitting too much can also result in the softening of bones. This occurs because the human body is not being exercised enough with weight-bearing activities like walking, swimming or running.

Fatigue and Fogginess: When we sit still for long periods of time, all body functions slow including the though processes taking place in the brain. Exercise can counter the imbalances in the brain created by sitting because most exercise will force the neck and shoulders to move.

If you’re hoping to prevent the damage done by a sedentary lifestyle, try adopting a proper exercise regimen that integrates cardio activities, weight lifting and most importantly, yoga. Not only will these activities get you moving, your spine will be able to circulate nutrients throughout the body while activating all necessary functions in the body.

Best Health Quotes of 2015

At Midwest Chiropractic LLC, we strive to promote healthy living and positive minds. If you’re searching for some inspiration to start off 2015, check out this list of our favorite health quotes. Not only will it motivate you to improve your health, you can share this knowledge with others and better their lives.

1. “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”- Mahatma Gandhi

2. “Without health life is not life; it is only a state of langour and suffering – an image of death.”- Buddha

3. “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.”- John Muir

4. “It takes more than just a good looking body. You’ve got to have the heart and soul to go with it.”- Epictetus

5. “Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.”- Hippocrates

6. “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.”- Billy Graham

7. “The way you think, the way you behave, the way you eat, can influence your life by 30 to 50 years.”- Deepak Chopra

8. “Hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors.”- Norman Cousins

9. “It’s better to be healthy alone than sick with someone else.”- Phil McGraw

10. “Treasure the love you receive above all. It will survive long after your good health has vanished.”- Og Mandino

Midwest Chiropractic’s First Post!

Here at Midwest Chiropractic we are excited to announce our first steps into the realm of social media! As a chiropractic practice located in Arlington Heights, Illinois we are looking to spread knowledge and improve the health of current and new patients with one spinal adjustment at a time!

Dr. Joseph Baric stands next to his awards and credentials.

My name is Dr. Joseph Baric and I have been involved with chiropractic work for the past 26 years. Besides average treatments for spinal health, I have initiated additional studies in whiplash and accident traumatology and acupuncture.   I am a certified sports physician and have worked with allopathic practitioners of all types.

In the past, I’ve treated medical professionals, including orthopedic surgeons, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, internists and has received numerous medical referrals over the years. I’ve always believed that chiropractic care coupled with sound nutritional advice, and rehabilitation can re-energize the nervous system, reduce biomechanical stress, and optimize human function without the use of drugs or surgeries.

Through this blog, I intend to share the stories of patients while offering sound health advice to anyone who will lend an ear. At my practice, I always value an open line of communication so, if you feel the need to offer suggestions or make comments, please do so. We are always eager to hear your opinions!

Thanks for stopping by,

Dr. Joseph Baric