SOHMA: The Path to Tai Chi & Qi Gong Mastery

SOHMA (School of Healing Martial Arts): The Path to Tai Chi & Qi Gong Mastery. Transform your health with expert training. Join our community and start today.

3 Differences Between a Health Center and Chiropractic Centers

by

When looking to relieve pain, especially lower back pain, many people find themselves choosing between visiting a dedicated chiropractic clinic or a health center. Though understanding the key differences between these two options is crucial for making an informed decision on your health. While both provide valuable services, they differ significantly in their approach to care.

In today’s article, we’re going to go over three of the biggest differences between the health centers and chiropractors, as well as why these key differences are important.

Scope of Practice

Chiropractors generally only practice chiropractic care, whereas wellness centers offer a broad range of services. These include chiropractic care, and also offer therapies such as massage therapy, acupuncture, cupping therapy, Myer’s cocktail IV therapy, and more. The objective of a health center is to support your physical, mental, and emotional health through a combination of preventative and therapeutic modalities. This comprehensive approach provides visitors with personalized care specialized to their individual needs.

On the other hand, chiropractors primarily focus on musculoskeletal health. Chiropractic care can be useful on its own, and for some people this will suffice. Although it is limited when compared to combining chiropractic care with one of its many complementary therapies found at health centers.

Care Methods

Wellness centers oftentimes use a variety of treatment methods, combining multiple therapies to promote your overall well-being. While chiropractic adjustments for spinal health may be included in your wellness plan, other therapies such as deep tissue massage therapy can be used to relieve both muscle tension and stress while acupuncture can be used to restore balance to your mind and body. By offering various treatment options, wellness centers can create customized wellness plans tailored to each individual. This method allows for adjustment of the plan based on any improvements seen. If improvement is steady, the plan is fine, though if progress slows down or halts altogether, the plan may be adjusted or changed to suit your new needs.

Alternatively, chiropractic care on its own is used to realign the spine and relieve pressure on the nerves. They may also recommend some exercises and lifestyle changes to support musculoskeletal health. However, chiropractic care alone may not resolve the root cause. Chiropractors focus mainly on the spinal alignment to reduce pain and tension. Meanwhile, at a health center, you may be recommended cupping therapy to remove stagnation and improve blood flow in conjunction with chiropractic to reduce pain, inflammation and improve mobility.

Holistic Care

A wellness center is more likely to take a holistic approach to your health. They typically treat the body as an interconnected system. This integrative approach provides a comprehensive wellness plan tailored to each person’s unique needs. They emphasise preventative care along with lifestyle changes to improve your overall well-being. The multidisciplinary approach of wellness centers is their key advantage when compared to chiropractic alone. For example, a visitor receives chiropractic adjustments for a herniated disk, yet still feels off. At a wellness center, it may be discovered that they may also benefit from non-surgical spinal decompression therapy and physical therapy to resolve the issue.

By understanding the differences between wellness centers and chiropractics, you can make an informed decision on the best approach for your personal health needs. At wellness centers you’ll receive a comprehensive integrative approach to your overall well-being, where you can achieve your health goals through various therapies that fit your needs.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.

3 Ways Health Center Visits Help You Stay Healthy

by

Health centers help individuals manage stress while improving physical health. However, you should consider regular visits in order to maintain these benefits. Regular visits to health centers can play an important role in your overall well-being. With valuable insights on how to optimize your physical and mental health, health centers help people stay on track with their health goals while offering expertise and guidance.

In today’s article, we’re going to go over three different ways visiting your health center regularly can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Personalized Health Guidance

A health center is an area to receive personalized care advice from professionals who understand your personal medical history and lifestyle. They can tailor a program that considers your unique health and wellness needs. This makes health centers an effective approach to managing chronic conditions while achieving individual health goals. This personalized method can not only improve your overall wellness, but it may also help you make the correct lifestyle choices.

Every person has a unique case, and health centers are important as they provide helpful information and guidance on overall wellness. Visiting health centers is a proactive step to maintain health, while preventative care guidance empowers individuals to make informed decisions that can contribute to a healthier lifestyle, which can lead to improvements in mood, physical condition, and pain management. 

Stress Relief Practices

Health centers provide a variety of stress relief therapies, including:

These practices play a significant role in helping individuals reduce their anxiety and reduce stress naturally. Stress, while beneficial in certain situations, can be incredibly destructive to the body if left to build up. Due to stress affecting people in different ways, it’s not uncommon for people of every age to disregard potential red flags associated with high levels of stress.

In high amounts, stress can begin to affect you physically. This can result in increased blood pressure, a weaker immune system, sleep disturbance, and an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Outside of your personal health, high levels of stress have been associated with reduced productivity and performance in work and relationships. As well as disconnecting yourself from friends and family. Reducing tension in your body can help your mind relax and decompress, which can have a positive impact on your wellness and health. 

Mind-Body Balance

Health centers promote the integration of mind and body health through practices such as Tai Chi, Acupuncture, and natural herbal remedies. Activities such as Tai Chi combine gentle movements, which are accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels, with meditation, which can provide mental clarity. Often called meditation in motion, Tai Chi is a great exercise to calm the nerves and reduce stress. If you need a starting point, consider following along with our Tai Chi for Beginners playlist on YouTube.  Acupuncture similarly stimulates specific points in the body to reduce tension while promoting relaxation. Visiting health centers can help individuals develop a harmonious connection between their mind and body, supporting overall well-being.

Being able to achieve mind-body harmony helps to provide holistic benefits, which include the aforementioned stress relief, improved mood, and healthier physical condition. Health centers support this balance through programs developed for each individual. This empowers our visitors to maintain a harmonious state of mind and body, which can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.

5 Benefits of Monthly Chiropractic Alignments

by

Chiropractic adjustments aim to correct misalignments of the spine and musculoskeletal system. It is primarily done to improve function, reduce pain, and enhance your overall mobility. Chiropractors make manual adjustments to restore the proper alignment of joints and alleviate some pressure that may be on nerves and other soft tissue.

In recent years, chiropractic care has gained popularity not only for pain relief but it’s also being used to enhance your overall well-being. There are many benefits of having monthly chiropractic alignment. In today’s article, we are going to go over five different benefits of monthly chiropractic adjustment.

Benefit #1: Stress Reducer

When your spinal alignment is compromised, it can lead to additional pressure being placed on nerves within the spine. This can disrupt how the nervous system communicates with the rest of the body. The result is added muscle tension and discomfort, the body responds to this with a heightened stress response. When left ignored, stress can lead to a number of health problems. This is why it’s called the silent killer. These conditions may include:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Heart Disease
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Increase Risk of Stroke

Stress is a mental state that many people need to manage daily. With chiropractic alignments every month, you can help manage your stress by reducing tension on the nerves and muscles. You don’t need to have a physically demanding job to add stress to your body, in fact, many office workers don’t realize they put 20% to 40% more pressure on their lower backs when sitting compared to standing.

Benefit #2: Neck and Back Pain Management 

If you feel pain in your neck and back, you’re not alone. Nearly 80% of adults will experience neck or back pain at some point in their lives. This is typically due to poor posture, injuries, heavy lifting, muscle strain, or degenerative conditions such as herniated disks or arthritis. While there are many exercises and stretches that can be done to help alleviate some of the pain, monthly chiropractic adjustments can help relieve some of the pain for you. Visiting a chiropractor monthly can help with your body’s overall well-being while preventing future discomfort.

Benefit #3: Improved Mood

Mood is something people rarely take into account when considering their wellness. Many consider mood as how they feel during any given day. However, it’s more than that. Your mood can directly affect your mental health. A negative mode can increase your anxiety and stress, which we’ve stated can be detrimental if left ignored. Your mental health has a direct link to your physical health. Meaning if your mood is poor, you may notice physical issues such as:

  • Lack of Energy
  • Headaches
  • Stomachaches
  • Insomnia
  • Digestive issues
  • Inflammation

As previously stated, monthly chiropractic adjustments can reduce stress and tension. This leaves your body in a more relaxed state, which can, in turn, help you sleep better, the better you sleep, the better your physical recovery is.

Benefit #4: Improved Joint Health

Regular monthly chiropractic alignments help to keep joints properly aligned. This may reduce unnecessary strain and wear of the joints over time. When the joints are misaligned, it can lead to stiffness and a reduced range of motion, and in severe long-term cases, it can cause long-term degeneration. Monthly chiropractic care helps to maintain joint health while promoting better blood circulation to your joints. This can help in recovery while reducing inflammation, which can contribute to a lack of mobility and pain.

Benefit #5: Long-Term Wellness

Even if there is no immediate need for chiropractic adjustment, monthly chiropractic care can help with long-term wellness and overall health. Rather than waiting for pain or discomfort to arise, regular visits to the chiropractor can help to identify and correct minor misalignments before they develop into serious issues. This, alongside exercises and stretches your chiropractor may recommend, serves as a proactive approach to your wellness. This preventative approach helps individuals stay active, flexible, and mobile from unnecessary pain.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.

How Can Chiropractors Help With Common Car Accident Injuries

by

Car accidents can be devastating for anyone. Whether you were at fault or not, a chiropractor can help you feel better after a car accident. Many people don’t think about visiting a chiropractor. While seeing a specialist for fractures, a chiropractor can help heal the damage caused to soft tissue such as muscles and tendons.

In today’s article, we’ll review five ways a chiropractor can help with common car accident injuries.

Injuries Aren’t Always Obvious

After a car accident, many people experience a surge in endorphins and adrenaline, which can hide initial symptoms. This can occasionally result in a delay in the onset of injury symptoms. Because of the masking effect of the hormones released by the body, some people may not be aware of injuries for as long as 48 hours. 

Whiplash is a typical example of a delay in symptoms. It’s not uncommon for those who had an accident, even what would be considered a seemingly minor accident, to wake up the following day experiencing stiff neck and upper back pain. Other delayed injuries can include:

  • Abdominal Pain
  • Back Pain
  • Numbness
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Headaches or Migraines

Visiting your chiropractor after an accident can help reduce some of the symptoms you may deal with. At the same time, others may be symptoms of more severe and potentially life-threatening conditions, such as abdominal pain being linked with internal bleeding.

Reduce inflammation

Swelling is a common symptom following a vehicular collision. An accident can cause extreme forces to pass through the body, resulting in many micro-tears in the muscles and other soft tissue. This can lead to feeling tense and noticing a loss in mobility. 

A chiropractor can adjust and manipulate the affected soft tissue to help alleviate tension and promote healing. The adjustments may also tell the body to release more endorphins, our body’s naturally occurring pain killer.

Improve mobility

As previously stated, car accidents can result in swelling and a buildup of tension. The body tensing up is a normal response to trauma, though it does more harm than good when trying to recover. When swelling occurs near or around joints, you lose some mobility. This can make it difficult to do everyday activities, and in some cases, simply getting out of bed can be a painful experience.

Reduce Scar tissue

Scar tissue can develop on the muscles inside the body after a car accident injury, causing additional swelling and stiffness. A chiropractor may be able to identify and target the damaged areas. They can break up the scar tissue more efficiently through adjustments and manipulation than just letting it heal on its own.

Reduce and Manage Pain

Typically, there may be pain associated with a car accident. Depending on the severity of the accident, it’s possible for some patients to have to manage with pain for long periods. If left unchecked, this pain can become chronic, which can take more time and effort to manage.

Chiropractic care can relieve pain through careful adjustments that give you relief and promote healing without the need for potentially addictive painkillers. While medication will often only mask the symptoms, a chiropractor will attempt to heal the root injury and not just cover up the symptoms.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.

Chiropractors Help With Common Car Accident Injuries – Google Search

Top 5 Common Injuries Chiropractors Can Help With

by

Chiropractic care has gained much popularity in recent years and has become one of America’s largest alternative medicine professions. This is because of chiropractic’s non invasive and drug-free approach to pain management.

While chiropractors may not be able to heal broken bones, today we’ll go over the top five most common injuries chiropractors can help you manage.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury typically caused by a sudden and violent movement in one direction then back again quickly. This type of injury is often seen in car vehicle accidents. It can take more than a day to feel the fullest extent of the injury and it’s not uncommon for people who suffered whiplash in an accident to only feel mildly uncomfortable the day of the accident. After a few days however, you may feel more pain, experience swelling and develop bruising. Some of the symptoms accompanying whiplash include:

  • Shooting Pain
  • Restricted Movement
  • Trouble Concentrating
  • Fatigue
  • Vertigo
  • Numbness in Arm or Hand
  • Irritability

One of the primary ways chiropractors help treat whiplash is through muscle stimulation and relaxation. This means the chiropractor will gently stretch the muscles dealing with excessive tension and repeated contraction of the muscles that are being restricted. Alternatively they can begin by identifying the neck joints that were misaligned due to the accident and manipulate them gently back into their rightful location.

Pinched Nerve

Although called “pinched” nerves, it’s usually caused by compression or pressure on the nerve. It usually happens as a result of repetitive motions or when the body holds the same position for extended periods of time, like sleeping with elbows bent or poor posture while working at the office.

A chiropractor may manually adjust the spine and joints that are being affected. This is to reduce the compression on the affected nerve. Following the adjustment it’s not uncommon for chiropractors to incorporate other methods to strengthen the impacted area. This can include physical therapy or massage therapy depending on the cause of the injury.

Muscle Sprains

Sprains occur when the strong, flexible fibers that hold the bones together either stretch too far or tear. This can result in the area around the joint to become painful and inflamed. You may find it difficult to put weight on the injury or move it normally. The muscles will also tighten or tense up on their own which can result in cramping or muscle spasms.

Chiropractic adjustments, and stretching are common ways in which a chiropractor can help to naturally treat sprains allowing you to reduce pain and recover faster. A joint manipulation on the affected joint can help to reduce tension in the muscle surrounding the sprain, this can help to reduce inflammation which in turn reduces pain.

Back Pain

One of the most common injuries a chiropractor manages is back pain. This is because there are many ways to injure your back such as sporting accidents, motor vehicle accidents, or simply by sitting in the office for extended periods of time. In fact, your back deals with about 40% more pressure when sitting upright compared to standing. It’s not uncommon to see people suffering from back pain, neck pain, stress on your arms and legs and massive pressure on your back.

A chiropractor can help reduce some of the tension and pressure through gentle adjustments. This can reduce pain and improve mobility, though for more extreme cases the chiropractor may  recommend spinal decompression therapy.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

You don’t need to wait for an accident to suffer an injury, much like back pain, carpal tunnel can affect anyone especially those who work in front of a computer for many hours in the day. The median nerve runs from your forearm through your wrist and into the palm of your hand. The median nerve and tendons pass through the carpal tunnel which is a narrow, rigid tube of ligament and bones at the base of the hand. When it becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist it can become affected and result in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Using hands-on techniques a chiropractor can manipulate and do manual adjustments to the wrists and fingers. This can in turn reduce compression of the meridian nerve, lessen the tension on the surrounding muscles. This can lower the amount of pain felt in the wrist and return some mobility.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

How Does an Integrative Health Center Help Patients

by

There are many therapies you may have heard of, such as acupuncture or chiropractic care. Integrative health centers, such as SOHMA, incorporate a number of different specialists together to provide as much help and guidance as possible to help bring balance and wellness to your life.

In this article, we’ll go over five ways integrative health centers help patients on their road to recovery.

Holistic Approach

Integrative health centers provide care for more than just your physical health. An integrative health center considers your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Integrative health centers offer care designed uniquely to the individual’s needs. Each case is different. Integrative health centers like SOHMA not only manage the symptoms of an ailment but also attempt to find the root cause of the condition and treat it using a combination of Eastern and Western medicine without drugs or surgery. It uses a number of therapies in an attempt to return you to wellness through non-invasive means.

Variety of Therapies

Integrative health centers have the convenience of practicing several therapies in the same location. This can be great for those who require more than one form of therapy to aid in their recovery and return to wellness. At SOHMA Integrative Medicine In Long Beach, CA, we offer therapies and services, including:

This helps us enable a tailored wellness solution to fit your unique case. Integrative health centers provide complementary therapies based on your needs and preferences.

Prevention

While resolving an issue or treating a condition is typically what people look for in integrative health centers, they also emphasize preventative care. This is because maintaining health and preventing illnesses can significantly reduce potential injuries or visits to the doctor in the future. Integrative health centers educate patients on lifestyle and wellness to encourage long-term health. Recovery is significant to regain your health and overall wellness; however, integrative health centers work on getting ahead of conditions. For example, IV therapy can boost your immune system to avoid certain infections, while practicing Tai Chi can help you alleviate stress, which can lead to several conditions.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Integrative health centers create treatment plans tailored to your unique and specific needs. They take into consideration your preferences, health goals, and medical history. This establishes a unique approach to your personal care. A benefit of having many treatment options in one location is that it allows your individual needs to be met. Whether you need physical therapy to recover from a sports injury, spinal decompression therapy to alleviate pain caused by a herniated disc, or you need to nurse a hangover with IV therapy. No two cases are the same, just as no two people are the same. Therefore, no two treatments are the same. 

Education on Self-care

Your wellness is an integrative health center’s top priority. It’s not uncommon for patients to be educated on self-care practices, techniques, and wellness strategies. This can be a new stretching routine for someone recovering from a muscle injury, an herbal supplement with beneficial effects, or more rest. Patients are encouraged to take control of their health outside the clinical setting. They learn to care for themselves long after leaving an integrative health center.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.