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Dr. Daniel Hoover

How To Choose A Chiropractor

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Chiropractic care can treat many conditions of the musculoskeletal system. Treatment involves manually adjusting the spine and joints to help alleviate pain. A chiropractor slowly moves your joint into their natural position with short, sharp thrusting movements. If you’ve been dealing with persistent pain in your neck and back and nothing you’ve tried, it’s time to visit a chiropractor.

But how do you choose a chiropractor?

When selecting any healthcare professional, it should be done with care. After all, it is your health and wellness, and you want to make sure you get the best chiropractor. Join me as we review a few suggestions when choosing a chiropractor.

Communication is Important

Being able to communicate well is crucial in any healthcare setting. Most people want to feel comfortable with a chiropractor, and communication can help. If possible, try to schedule an appointment to interview the chiropractor. Asking questions shouldn’t put them off. In fact, they should be excited to inform about all the benefits of chiropractic care. Not only will you learn how chiropractic care can help your condition and manage your pain, but based on their mannerisms, you can see if they’re friendly and considerate. If you had an overall positive experience simply asking them questions, it’s a good sign that they may be a good choice.

Perhaps Chiropractic Care Isn’t What You Need

Although we’re trying to find a chiropractor, it’s possible that it’s not what you need for your particular case. A good chiropractor can tell you if you genuinely need an adjustment or would be better off with cupping, deep tissue massage, acupuncture, or a combination of different modalities and therapies. Although spinal adjustments are essential to chemotherapy, you can benefit from another therapy during your treatment. A good chiropractor can explain why and how combining multiple therapies will help your recovery. But be careful if they can’t explain why you need more therapies satisfactory enough. It can actually be a warning sign.

Recommendations

The experience of others can be invaluable to finding an amazing chiropractor. Your first choice should be other professionals in the health industry. If you can’t seem to manage the pain, ask them if they have a recommendation for a chiropractor. Some doctors may even suggest trying chiropractic care themselves. Friends and family are also excellent resources for finding great chiropractors. While their treatment may differ from yours, they can inform you about how friendly and knowledgeable the staff is and how well-kept the center is. The most abundant source of information about chiropractors is online. Visiting their website and social media pages and reading reviews can give you the point of view of many people dealing with many conditions. At SOHMA, we’re proud to have won back-to-back Best of Long Beach Reader’s Choice awards for 2022 and 2023.

No Rush. It Takes Time

You must do your due diligence when looking for a new healthcare professional. It’s ok to look into many different chiropractors. You don’t need to feel obligated to be treated by the first chiropractor you visit. It’s normal for people to see many other chiropractors before choosing the best suited for their condition.

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 to Find a Reputable Herbal Therapy Center Near Me

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Herbal medicine is one of the oldest forms of medicine. For thousands of years, herbal remedies have been used to help heal and alleviate people from pain and other conditions. Modern medicine typically comes in pills and injections, but we should remember that herbs were human’s earliest forms of medicine.

While modern pharmaceuticals may have surpassed the use of herbal remedies, they’re steadily becoming more popular as people search for alternative and natural forms of healing.

Unlike pharmaceuticals, there isn’t a strict system to ensure the safety and efficacy of herbal medicine. Therefore finding a reputable herbal therapy center is significant. Today we’ll review some questions when looking for a reputable herbal therapy center.

What is an Herbal Therapy Center?

An herbal therapy center is where herbal supplements are sold and various herbal therapies are performed. Herbal supplements come in a wide variety of forms, such as:

  • Pills
  • Powders
  • Tinctures
  • Teas
  • Lotions
  • Gels
  • Additives for baths

While herbs are generally safe, you should keep your primary care provider informed if you do herbal therapy. Many modern pharmaceuticals are either derived from herbs or are inspired by the healing effects of herbs. They can sometimes have negative reactions when combined, and it’s in your health’s best interest to be transparent if you take medication.

Reputation

A good business reputation is essential for potential customers since it indicates trustworthiness and honesty. Word of mouth is the best advertisement, meaning you’ll likely find a reputable herbal therapy center through other patrons. Companies with solid reputations often attract talented employees and aren’t a rotating door of staff coming and going at SOHMA Integrative Medicine of Long Beach, CA. We hire only highly qualified and service-conscientious medical professionals committed to your health and wellness. That’s why we’ve earned the Best of Long Beach Reader’s Choice award in 2022 and 2023.

Research

The internet is an incredible tool for knowledge. You can use it to find herbal therapy centers near you and read reviews on them. Naturally, the higher rated they are, the better they should be. Although this is typically the case, be sure the location has more than just a handful of reviews. While a 5-star review out of dozens of studies is ideal, you may be better off with a 4-star average from many reviewers than a 5-star from only a tiny handful. You should go beyond just looking up reviews online, visit their webpage, and learn about their staff and their mission. 

Research goes beyond simply finding information about herbal therapy centers. If you plan on using herbal remedies, you must educate yourself on the different therapies, remedies, and ingredients. Because herbal supplements aren’t subject to FDA regulations, you must do your due diligence to ensure the supplements are satisfactory.

Visit Them

You have to walk in and ask questions to find the best herbal therapy center near you. A reputable center’s herbalist shouldn’t have an issue with your curiosity. If they care about your health, they should be glad you’re showing interest. If you dislike it, move on to the next one.

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.

What Forms of Injury Does Physical Therapy Help With?

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Physical therapy is one of the most successful forms of recovery. With SOHMA winning the 2023 Best of Long Beach reader’s choice for a second year, we’re proud to help you on the road to recovery. Your injury will be evaluated, and we may recommend physical therapy. From there, the physiotherapist will further evaluate your physical condition and medical history to prepare a recovery program. 

However, not all injuries are made equal, and today we’ll go over what kinds of injuries physical therapy can help in recovery.

Sport Injuries

Some of the most common injuries that physical therapy can help with are a result of a sports injury. After suffering a soft tissue injury, you’ll want to protect it from further damage. Try to keep the injury elevated if possible. This can prevent fluids from gathering where you were injured.

  • Ankle Sprain
  • Rotator Cuff Strain
  • Shin Splints
  • Tennis Elbow (tendonitis)
  • Fractures
  • Muscle Tears
  • Ligament Tears

Although not life-threatening or life-altering, these injuries can be uncomfortable and painful. While some of these injuries may require surgery to be fully repaired, physical therapy is still valuable pre and post-surgery. Especially for injuries where muscles or ligaments tear or detach.

Work Injuries

Injuries at work are unfortunate but occur regardless of whether you work at a desk in an office, in a kitchen as a cook, or in construction. Many of the injuries you can suffer at work can result in the same types of injuries caused by sports. That being said, injuries from slipping, falling, overexertion, back pain, and accidents with workplace equipment can still happen and must be taken care of.

It’s very common for jobs where there isn’t a significant variety of movements for workers to deal with injuries from repetitive motion. This is similar to tennis elbow and can cause weakness and pain.

Surgery

Although surgery should be the last option for recovery, it is sometimes inevitable. For these cases, physical therapy is used after many surgeries. Physical therapy is crucial in ensuring the body heals without developing scar tissue for joint replacement, muscles, ligament, or tendon repair, and spinal surgeries. Physical therapy is also used before surgeries to help strengthen the body in preparation. A physical therapist can help you determine when you can safely resume certain activities and go back to work.

Concussions

A concussion occurs when the head receives a blow significantly hard enough to move the brain back and forth inside the skull rapidly. This can happen after a car accident, sports injury, or a slip and fall. Although concussions primarily affect the brain, they are known to cause issues with balance and coordination. Most concussions resolve themselves after a week or two, with no symptoms. If symptoms don’t go away on their own, physical therapy can help regain balance, stability, coordination, and focus.

Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve)

Pinched nerves can cause severe pain. Depending on the nerve being pinched, it can make daily activities extremely painful or nearly impossible, including sleep. When the space where nerve roots exit the spine becomes narrow, the nerve can become irritated. The sciatic nerve, for example, travels from the lower back through the hips and down each leg. When it is pinched, the pain can make it difficult to walk. Physiotherapists can provide stretches and exercises to alleviate pressure from the nerve. However, there are some cases where surgery may be needed to remove some material.

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 Cupping Work?

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Woman Getting Cupping Treatment At a Spa. Cupping Therapy. Treatment used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for pain relief and other health benefits.

One of the oldest forms of medicine, cupping, has been used for thousands of years in Asian countries. Nowadays, you may see celebrities and athletes with round marks going down their backs. These are surely the result of cupping therapy. Although many patients report feeling better after cupping therapy, some people may not understand how cupping works.

Join us today as we go over how cupping therapy works and the benefits of cupping.

What is Cupping Therapy

For thousands of years, cupping therapy has used flames to heat a horn or glass cup, this heat creates a negative pressure in the cup, and once placed upon the skin, the soft tissue is pulled into the cup. Although some still use flames when performing cupping therapy, many now opt for plastic or silicone cups with a suction pump. This makes it easier for the practitioner to get the same amount of pressure on every cup, though some still prefer the traditional method, which provides a similar result.

How does it Work?

The skin, fascia, connective tissue, and muscle can become stuck and reduce the range of motion. Think of it as though you were wearing a sweater. If it’s too small and tight, it can restrict mobility, and if you force it, you can damage or tear the shirt. The cups use negative pressure to pull the soft tissue under the skin. This improves blood flow to the area being treated. The new blood flow brings fresh oxygenated blood full of nutrients. The added blood flow promoted healing and quicker repair of the damaged tissue. Alternatively, you may also receive a cupping massage, and this is where the cups are slid around the areas being treated. These results are more akin to a deep tissue massage, except a cup is used instead over the area of pain or concern.

When visiting SOHMA Integrative Medicine in Long Beach, CA., you’ll be evaluated by the therapist to see the extent of damage to the injury. If, during the evaluation, it is discovered that there is shooting pain or an issue directly involving the spine, Cupping may not be the correct method to aid recovery. 

What do the Marks Mean

The common concern about cupping therapy is the round marks left behind after treatment. Many people see people on TV with round marks and wrongfully assume they are bruises. These aren’t bruises and are more like hickies caused by the suction. This can give the misconception that cupping therapy is painful. On the contrary, many patients find cupping relaxing and satisfying when cups are released.

Not all the marks are the same; some are darker, while others are lighter. The scars left behind on the cups are more than just the result of cupping therapy. They can help you learn how you’re progressing and how long it takes to recover fully. The darker the mark, the longer for it to fade away. This also means more attention will be needed in that area. These marks often take about a week to fade. Lighter marks disappear entirely after a couple of days and tend to signify that that area is working correctly. 

What does Cupping Help with?

While most people look at cupping therapy to help with muscle pain in their back, cupping therapy has been used to help with a variety of conditions, such as:

  • Fevers
  • Poor Appetite
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Cramping
  • Leg Pain
  • Joint Pain
  • Headaches
  • Mental Health

For many conditions, cupping can help by increasing blood circulation. Nonetheless, you need to be able to clear out stagnation and toxins for the body to recover naturally. While cupping has shown beneficial effects on the physical health of a patient, due to the relaxing nature of cupping, it can help people with their mental health. By improving sleep quality, the body can physically and mentally recover better, alleviating stress and anxiety.

Conclusion

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.

5 Myths About Chiropractic Care

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Chiropractic care has become a widely accepted practice over the years. Many myths and misconceptions have deterred people from participating in chiropractic care during that time. Many people have reported on the health benefits of chiropractic care and how it’s a great alternative to drugs and surgeries for managing pain and aiding recovery.

Today we’ll review five of these myths and clear up some misunderstandings about chiropractic care.

Myth # 1: Chiropractic Care is Only for Back Pain 

Chiropractors are most commonly known for dealing with back pain. While they can help you manage your back pain, there are many reasons to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care is used to treat many common ailments, such as:

  • Neck Pain
  • Back Pain
  • Knee pain
  • Leg Pain
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Breathing Issues
  • Joint Pain
  • Insomnia

With a wide variety of ailments, chiropractic can help with, be sure to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA Integrative Medicine at Long Beach, CA, to see if chiropractic can help treat your specific issue.

Myth # 2: You’ll Need Chiropractic Care for Life

A common misconception is once you’ve begun chiropractic care, you’ll have to rely on adjustments for the rest of your life. They are concerned their body can unlearn how to preserve the correct alignment a chiropractor sets. They fear that without consistent visits, their symptoms may return. There is some truth in that spinal problems may need a program with frequent stops, but as you progress through your regimen, the visits will be more sparse.

This myth may have begun to circulate simply because many patients continue to use chiropractic care after their original program is done. This can be because they want to work on other body parts or to maintain a healthy posture. The human body can become misaligned at any time during our day-to-day life, and many patients who previously used chiropractic care may return for some maintenance.

Myth #3: You Need a Referral for Chiropractic Care

Although communicating with your primary care provider about your physical well-being is always a good idea, you don’t need a referral to receive chiropractic care. You can walk right into SOHMA and ask about receiving chiropractic care.

Depending on your condition, your primary care provider may consider prescribing pharmaceuticals to help manage your pain until you either show signs of getting better or decline. This can sometimes lead to the need for surgery. It’s best practice to have multiple opinions from a variety of professionals. A chiropractor can assess your symptoms using similar techniques as most medical practitioners and begin an adjustment program to help manage pain.

Myth #4: Chiropractic Care Hurts

Chiropractic care is designed to manage or eliminate pain, not cause it. During adjustments, there should be little to no pain. A patient may often anticipate pain and be startled by the sudden movements. Although some patients have reported minor discomfort after chiropractic adjustments, most leave feeling much better than when they arrived. At worst, most patients may feel sore for a couple of days afterward, but this is normal. A licensed professional shouldn’t cause you any pain when adjusting your back. 

Myth #5: Chiropractic Care can be Dangerous

The worst misconception is that chiropractic care is dangerous to patients. The main danger comes from unlicensed chiropractors performing adjustments. This is why it’s essential you only work with licensed chiropractors. Chiropractic care provides a safe way to manage pain. There is no data surrounding injuries caused by chiropractic adjustments.

Though it’s not without risk, while sporadic, some patients have experienced a stroke after manipulation. Vertebral dissection is when the inner lining of the vertebral artery tears, which can lead to a blood clot causing a stroke. However, vertebral dissection can result from car accidents, contact sports, roller coasters, and mechanical stress. If you notice slurred speech, difficulty walking, sensory loss on one side of your body, or trouble swallowing, call 911 immediately, as every minute counts.

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

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to 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.