Destin Chiropractor Newest Provider in Sacred Heart Network

 

We are pleased to announce that we are the newest health care provider in the Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast network of providers.   As of May 1, 2011 we are a Tier 1 provider for staff members at Sacred Heart.   We have gotten settled in at our Sacred Heart office on the third floor of the Medical Office Building and things are working very smoothly.  Our hours are limited right now until demand requires us to reevaluate our office hours.

Our newest office provides a convenient location for residents of Sandestin, Santa Rosa Beach, Miramar Beach, and along 30-A.

If you have any questions concerning coverage, or out of pocket expenses, please contact our chiropractic office in Destin at 850-654-1850.

Chiropractic- Not Just for Back and Neck Pain

It is a well established fact that chiropractic can be a very effective treatment for neck and back pain.   One of the frustrating statements from patients and conversations I have with people is “I didn’t know you did that” or “You probably can’t do anything about this.”  Let’s get this straight, almost any joint in the body can be adjusted and made to function more properly.  There are 206 bones in the body and most can be realigned to move better.

A person can have one body part not functioning properly, whether it is from pain, tightness, fixation or some other dysfunction.  That dysfunction can set up a movement pattern that can develop into an injury to another part of the body.  For instance, a foot that is not moving properly can cause knee pain, hip pain and/or low back pain.  While the resultant low back pain is addressed, we also check the adjacent body parts to make sure they are not a contributing cause for the low back pain.  A painful shoulder can develop into a frozen shoulder, neck pain, or mid back pain.  Every body part is connected to the others through the kinetic chain.  Alleviating faulty movement patterns can help a person perform much better, at work, in sports, or at any recreational activity.

Don’t assume a chiropractor can’t help you with extremity problems.  Every elite athlete in the country has a chiropractor to help them reach their performance potential, any they don’t limit their practice to just neck and back.

Dr. Whidden is a retired U.S. Navy pilot turned chiropractor in Destin, Florida. Emerald Coast Chiropractic, finding solutions to today’s health care issues, Who’s YOUR Chiropractor?

Ken Whidden, DC
Emerald Coast Chiropractic

Five Stress Solutions

This article “borrowed” from “To Your Health” magazine.

Stress can be a killer – quite literally, research suggests, but it can also make your day-to-day existence miserable. Who wants to walk (or rush) around all day as the oppressive weight of stress takes its toll on your body and mind? Here are five simple strategies to help you deal with stress and get back on the road to health and wellness:

1. Walk it off. There are so many physical and mental health benefits to a good walk; when it comes to stress, it’s the perfect opportunity to relax, enjoy the outdoors and reduce your stress, either by forgetting about it for a while or having the chance to process it. In fact, in many cases stress isn’t caused by a particular situation, but by the sense that you can’t escape your situation – your too-loud, too-hectic, too-frantic, responsibility-filled day. A walk is your chance to escape. From a biochemical perspective, it’s also a great way to relieve stress because physical activity promotes the release of endorphins, hormones known to relieve pain, reduce stress and increase your sense of happiness and well-being.

2. Talk about it. One of the things that makes stress so damaging is that we often keep it to ourselves. Sometimes talking about how stressed you are (and why) with someone else is exactly what’s needed to reduce it or at least understand it a little better – and that’s half the battle. Your significant other, a family member, a friend or even a co-worker might be just what you need to get your stress (and how it’s affecting you) out in the open. And once it’s out in the open, it’s easier to deal with. So talk about it with someone who not only provides compassion and understanding, but also has the capacity (and willingness) to tell you not just what you want to hear, but what you need to hear – even if it hurts a little. In the long run, honestly and openness will go a long way toward melting your stress away.

3. Distract yourself. Stress doesn’t have nearly as much power over you if you’re not thinking about it. That can be a challenge, of course, especially when your every thought is focused on a particular stressor, but it’s worth trying something – anything – to take your mind off your stress. This doesn’t mean taking a walk, because if you take it alone, you’ll likely obsess about your stress the whole time, and if you walk with a companion, you’ll likely end up thinking and talking about it, too. True distraction means doing something that forces you to discard your stress to the greatest extent possible – try a baseball game, a night at the movies (particularly pure action or comedy), or even a good book or board game at home. Anything that requires your mind to focus on something other than your stress.

4. Deal with it. Too often, people let stress build until a molehill becomes a mountain, occupying their every thought and affecting their every action. If they’d dealt with the issue (to the best of their ability) at the outset, it might never have gotten to that point. How do we “deal” with stress? It can involve any of these five suggestions, but there are definitely a whole bunch more. It boils down to a few simple rules: a) Recognize when you’re stressed; don’t ignore it or pretend you’re “fine.” b) Understand why you’re stressed; identify the source of the stress and think carefully about why it’s affecting you. c) Find a way to reduce the stress (or eliminate it entirely); if that’s not immediately possible, at least find a way to manage it so it doesn’t continue to build.

5. Find the positives. There’s a silver lining to every stressful situation or circumstance, whether it’s stress about your job or career, your relationship, your family life, your (lack of) free time, your finances or anything else. It might be difficult to see at first, but it’s definitely there. Think of stress as an opportunity to explore creative solutions that will not only ease your stress, but also reduce the chance it will return. What’s good about your job? Use the positives to maximize your experience with your current employer – or plant seeds for your next job. Relationship needs mending? Your stress is the motivator to sit down with your partner and discuss exactly what’s going wrong (and what’s going right).

Back Pain During Pregnancy, What To Do?

Back pain or discomfort is common during pregnancy and should be expected to some degree by most women. Back pain may be experienced during any point of your pregnancy; however, it most commonly occurs later in the pregnancy as the weight of the baby increases. Back pain can disrupt your daily routine or interfere with a good night of sleep. The good news is there are steps you can take to manage the back pain that you experience.
How common is back pain during pregnancy?
You are not alone if you are experiencing back pain during your pregnancy.  The prevalence varies with reports, showing between 50 to 70 percent of all pregnant women having back pain.
What causes back pain during pregnancy?
Back pain during pregnancy is related to a number of factors. Some women begin to experience lower back pain with the onset of pregnancy.  Women who are most at risk for back pain are those who are overweight or had back pain prior to pregnancy. Here is a list of potential causes of back pain or discomfort during pregnancy:

• Increase of hormones – hormones released during pregnancy allow ligaments in the pelvic area to soften and the joints to become looser in preparation for the birthing process of your baby; this shift in joints and loosening of ligaments may affect the support your back normally experiences
• Center of gravity – your center of gravity will gradually move forward as your uterus and baby grow, which causes your posture to change
• Additional weight – your developing pregnancy and baby create additional weight that your back must support
• Posture or position – poor posture, excessive standing, and bending over can trigger or escalate the pain you experience in your back
• Stress – stress usually finds the weak spot in the body, and because of the changes in your pelvic area, you may experience an increase in back pain during stressful periods of your pregnancy

How can you prevent or minimize back pain during pregnancy?
Back pain may not be prevented completely, but there are things that you can do to reduce the severity or frequency. Here are a few steps you can take to help reduce the back pain you are experiencing:

• Use exercises approved by your health care provider that support and help strengthen the back and abdomen

• Squat to pick up something versus bending over
• Avoid high heels and other shoes that do not provide adequate support
• Avoid sleeping on your back
• Wear a support belt under your lower abdomen
• Make sure your back is aligned using a chiropractor
• Get plenty of rest. Elevating your feet is also good for your back

How can you treat back pain during pregnancy?
There are a number of things you can do to treat back pain during pregnancy. Some of the steps you take to avoid back pain may also be used to treat current back pain. Here are some other common interventions:

• Ice or heat
• Braces or support devices
• Sleep on your left side and use a support pillow under your knees
• Medications used to treat inflammation
• Use a licensed health care professional such as a chiropractor or massage therapist

When to contact your health care provider?
Experiencing back pain itself is usually not a reason to contact your health care provider, but there are situations where contacting your provider is necessary. You want to contact your health care provider if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Severe back pain
• Increasingly severe or abrupt-onset of back pain
• Rhythmic cramping pains; this could be a sign of preterm labor

Severe back pain may be related to pregnancy-associated osteoporosis, vertebral osteoarthritis, or septic arthritis. These are not common, but it is something your health care provider will examine if you are experiencing severe back pain.
Your Next Steps:

• Begin an approved exercise program to support your back and abdomen
• Set aside a couple of times a day where you can take a nap or get off your feet
• Find a Chiropractor in your area
• Purchase a support belt
• Purchase a sleep aid pillow

Dr. Whidden is a retired U.S. Navy pilot turned chiropractor in Destin, Florida. Emerald Coast Chiropractic, finding solutions to today’s health care issues, Who’s YOUR Chiropractor?

Ken Whidden, DC
Emerald Coast Chiropractic

Ear Infections Successfully Managed Through Chiropractic

We have recently had multiple sets of parents reveal to us the long term results their children received after treatment at our clinic. When someone asks me how many treatments it would take to get results, I usually suggest 5-6 treatments over a 2-3 week period. However, the parents recently reported only 1-2 adjustments has given their child long lasting results even those approaching the decision to have tubes put in their child’s ears.

While I don’t like to criticize medical treatment of a particular health issue, I wish more parents would at least consider conservative chiropractic care of children with chronic ear infections. The adjustment itself is a very gentle manipulation that can save both the parent and child unneeded treatment and expense. While it may not work for everyone, it can be very effective in many cases.

For more information on this topic, go to our website page on ear infections.

Dr. Whidden is a retired U.S. Navy pilot turned chiropractor in Destin, Florida. Emerald Coast Chiropractic, finding solutions to today’s health care issues, Who’s YOUR Chiropractor?

Ken Whidden, DC
Emerald Coast Chiropractic

February 2011 Destin Chiropractor Newsletter

Emerald Coast Chiropractic at Sacred Heart

We will soon begin seeing patients at our Sacred Heart location and we are very excited.  We have been busy setting up the new office and getting it ready to give the same level of service we have been known for in Destin for the past ten years.

While getting this location ready we have made several trips from our present office to the new location.  I have come to have a greater appreciation and gratitude for the patients that live in the Sandestin, Santa Rosa Beach and Miramar Beach area that have continued to drive to Destin to see us for the past several years.  Thank you and I hope this move will be more convenient for you.

Our newest location is conveniently located on the third floor of the Medical Office Building adjacent to Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast.  Our office is nestled between Emerald Coast Rehabilitation and Destin OB/GYN.  Please call our main office number to schedule an appointment at 850-654-1850.

Our physical address is 7720 US Highway 98 W # 300B, Miramar Beach, Florida  32550.  To visit us at this location, enter the building at the front door, take the elevator to the third floor.  When the elevator door opens on the third floor, take an immediate left and you will be facing our door at Suite 300B.  Our reception area is shared with Emerald Coast Rehabilitation.  Our reception window is to the far right side.

Dr. Whidden is a retired U.S. Navy pilot turned chiropractor in Destin, Florida. Emerald Coast Chiropractic, finding solutions to today’s health care issues, Who’s YOUR Chiropractor?

Ken Whidden, DC
Emerald Coast Chiropractic

Christmas in Destin

It’s quiet in the house this Christmas morning.  I’m the only one up and ready to start the day.  The only white Christmas here is the snow white sands of the Emerald Coast.  This time of the year allows us to step back and reflect on the previous year and plan for the upcoming year.  We are able to come up with New Year’s resolutions and set new goals for the future. Whether it is a healthier lifestyle, weight loss, or new financial goals, there is more hope for the future this time of year.

This has been an eye opening and stressful year for myself and many others across the country and especially along the Gulf Coast.  We have had to learn how be more frugal, do more with less and generally re-program our way of doing business, both personally and professionally.

The past few months have been challenging and given me the opportunity to grow as a person and a health care provider.  I am more grateful for what I have and the people I have around me.  I have increased optimism for the coming year as I feed off the energy and the optimism of people who come into the office.

Merry Christmas to everyone and here’s to a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Dr. Whidden is a retired U.S. Navy pilot turned chiropractor in Destin, Florida. Emerald Coast Chiropractic, finding solutions to today’s health care issues, Who’s YOUR Chiropractor?

Ken Whidden, DC
Emerald Coast Chiropractic

December 2010 Destin Chiropractor Newsletter

Chiropractic in 100 Words or Less

Bill Esteb has a fantastic definition of what a chiropractor does, and he calls it Chiropractic in 100 words or less. I thought I would post it here.

“Aches and pains are signs that your body isn’t working right.

Your brain, spinal cord and all your nerves control how your body works.

Physical, chemical or emotional stresses produce a defensive posture.

Muscles contract, locking spinal joints that pinch or irritate nearby nerves.

Lack of nervous system integrity sets the stage for disease and ill health.

A thorough examination helps chiropractors find these subluxations.

Applying a precise force to stuck spinal joints helps the body right itself.

Health usually returns as repeated visits restore nervous system integrity.

That’s why chiropractic care has helped millions get well and stay well.”

Dr. Whidden is a former U.S. Navy pilot turned chiropractor in Destin, Florida. Emerald Coast Chiropractic, finding solutions to today’s health care issues, Who’s YOUR Chiropractor?

Ken Whidden, DC
Emerald Coast Chiropractic

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