Articles

As medical advancements continue to evolve, regenerative medicine has emerged as a groundbreaking field that holds the promise of revolutionizing the way we approach healing and tissue repair.

Among the various regenerative medicine techniques, human cellular tissue therapy and Platelet-Rich …

In the charming town of Williamsburg, Virginia, nestled between history and modernity, lies a valuable resource for achieving optimal health and well-being – a chiropractor.

As a beacon of holistic care, our chiropractor in Williamsburg, Dr. Pinto can help you …

How to Improve Posture:

Try this simple posture “reality check” the next time you are standing in front of a full-length mirror:

Are your knees and ankles straight (i.e., not angled inward or outward)?
Are your shoulders and hips level?
As you stand sideways, …

Exercise and other kinds of physical activity can go far in keeping your body strong and healthy, able to fight disease, and ward off injuries from pulling, pushing, and lifting. A healthy and fit body also generally recovers faster from …

Lower back

Lie flat on your stomach. Raise one arm at a time. Hold for 5 counts, then slowly lower. Do 20 repetitions for each arm.
Try raising one leg at a time. Hold for 5 counts, then slowly lower. Do 20 …

Pilates is an exercise program named after Joseph Pilates, who developed an exercise program in the early-20th century to improve the physical fitness of World War I soldiers. Pilates incorporated resistance into programs for rehabilitating injured patients. He later incorporated …

Tuck in your chin.
Push your head back against your hands or the floor (if your are lying on your back).
Hold 5 counts. Do 20 repetitions.

Alternate or extension:

Place your hand on the side of your head.
Tuck in your chin and push …

Strong abdominal muscles may actually prevent you from incurring a back injury, since these muscles are so critical to maintaining your spine’s position, as well as assisting you with lifting.
Strong abdominals can also lower, minimize, or avoid back pain from …

Pregnancy can wreak havoc on your neck, shoulders, back, hips, legs, and feet.

Most women who go through pregnancy are aware of the importance of good nutrition while carrying their baby. But many are not aware, or ignore, the vital role …

By their very nature, sports and other kinds of recreational activities are inherently risky ventures for your entire body, none the least being your neck, spine, joints, and muscles. If you or your children are active participants, proper body conditioning …

Ergonomics is part science, part art. It involves choosing and working with devices that minimize or even eliminate undue strain on our joints and muscles. For those of us who work in an office (or a home office), we’re confronted …

Like exercise, proper nutrition provides a wealth of benefits‚ both physical and emotional‚ that contribute to your body’s strength and its ability to ward off disease and disability.

A healthy diet translates into a healthy body; the proper mix of vitamins, …

Children should eat a balanced diet, one that includes fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, and meat, fish, and eggs. Minimize starchy foods, such as crackers, pasta, pretzels and potato chips. About calcium and children’s bones. …

Walking is one of the most elegant, simple, and affordable means of providing your body with a host of fitness benefits. Because it calls into play so many different muscles groups as well as kinds of exercise, it’s one of …

Do you think that just because you don’t have back pain that you don’t need to see a chiropractor? Think again! Regular visits to the chiropractor can improve your life. Here at Pinto Chiropractic in Williamsburg, we don’t want to …

If you’re an athlete, you may not have considered visiting a chiropractor unless you’ve had an injury. However, there are benefits to visiting a chiropractor regularly as an athlete. All but one NFL team has a chiropractor on staff. Visiting …

There’s nothing worse than a constant pounding in your head that distracts you from work, family, or even sleep. Do you suffer from headaches? If so, did you know that visiting a chiropractor can help eliminate headaches? Read this post …

We all grew up with our parents telling us to eat our fruits and veggies, but most of us never really understood why. As we got older, this may have caused some of us to cut back on the veggies …

In today’s blog post, we are visiting the issue of GMO’s (genetically modified organisms). Whether you’re aiming to eat healthier or not, you might be surprised what foods are filled with these GMOs and what the problems could be if …

(The New Health Care… is HEALTH Care)

Health care is changing. New technologies allow massive storage and data sharing, and new regulations govern how the data is used, analyzed, and shared. New treatment methods are being born every day, and new …

When we hear the term, “anti-inflammatory,” many Americans think of drugs, pills, and injections. What is a pro-inflammatory substance? What might we unwittingly be doing that’s compromising our health? Can we reduce inflammation, naturally? Here are some facts and tips, …

Natural Anti-Inflammatories (Let Thy Food be Thy Medicine) Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine (ca. 460 BC – ca. 370 BC)1, is quoted as saying, “Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in …

It’s a question doctors commonly ask their patients.Do you know when your problems began? Perhaps your symptoms began after a slip, a fall, a sports incident, or an auto accident. You may even know the precise date and time your …

Over 20 million Americans suffer from arthritis and arthritis-related disability. But what is arthritis? And how can we protect ourselves? Here are some tips, courtesy of the Virginia Chiropractic Association. “Arth” refers to joints, the places where bones meet and …

An estimated 7% of us will see a doctor for back pain this year.1 Some have called back pain in North America an epidemic; and once you have it, you’re likely to get it again. Back pain interferes with work, …

Spring! It’s a time for new life, new activities, and treasured pastimes… but it’s also a time when many of us injure ourselves doing the things we love. How can you enjoy your favorite activities, while minimizing your risks for …

Know anyone that would benefit from seeing a chiropractor and walking out with better posture and all the health benefits that go along with it? Send your mom, dad, spouse, kids, friends, next door neighbor, coworkers, and even your mailman …

Your heart beats. Your lungs breathe. Your immune system keeps you healthy. You walk, or play the piano, or bend to lift a child. What system is controlling all of these functions? Here are some facts and tips, courtesy of …

Work. It’s a part of modern adult life, and it can be a pain—literally. Neck pain, back pain, wrist pain, headaches, obesity, and worse—all can be related to your work habits. What is ergonomics, and how can that science help …

The new school year is well into action. It’s a time of joy, new beginnings, and possible new injury risks. Here are some tips to stack the odds in your family’s favor.

Healthy school lunches and healthy exercise together are an …

Many patients complain of musculoskeletal pain that arises from sports-related injuries. At Pinto Chiropractic, we place great emphasis on ensuring optimal performance in sports by ensuring proper posture and spinal care as a preventative measure.

But sports injuries still arise …

Joint injuries like sprains, strains, and dislocations are common among young and elderly individuals alike. Generally a result of overuse or acute trauma, joint damage often begins as a small (and seemingly insignificant) complication that can compound into a chronic …

Spinal Structures

The spinal column is an intricate framework of interlocking bones that, when viewed from the side, form a gentle “S” shape. The spine is a sophisticated system— both fragile and sturdy— of muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, discs, a …

Abstinence from the kind of activity that caused you pain in the first place is a necessary first step in treating pain symptoms. But in some cases of mild pain, it pays to return to normal physical activity when you …

Featured topics include:

Airbags and Auto Safety
Backpacks
Beds/Mattresses & Sleep
Gardening
Lifting Techniques
Mowing
Shoes
Snow Shoveling
Traveling Tips
Working Around the House

Before the early 1970s, seat belts and shoulder restraints were not standard equipment in automobiles. And it wasn’t until 1985 that the first airbags began appearing in cars.

The positive impact those two innovations have had on the reduction of spinal …

In recent years, evidence has come to light that we are placing our children at risk for debilitating muscle and joint injuries from overloaded backpacks—a staple among elementary and high school-aged kids.

Overloaded backpacks:

Cause the shoulders to round, leading to poor …

Since most of us spend at least a third of our lives lying down, a good quality mattress goes a long way in avoiding a whole host of musculoskeletal problems later in life. In addition, a quality mattress will help …

Make sure your body is properly conditioned when doing outside work. Warmed-up muscles will be less likely to tighten up or snap when under the strains of bending, pulling, pushing, reaching, or stooping. You can warm up by taking a …

Untold musculoskeletal injuries occur every day when people lift heavy or even slightly heavy objects without following techniques.

Even a so-called simple task of lifting a box from the ground to place on a higher level such as a shelf or …

If you have asthma or allergies, wear a mask
Stand as straight as possible, and keep your head up as you rake or mow.
Try to mow during the early morning and early evening hours, when the sun is not so hot.
Drink …

Tips about shoe features/selection

Some serious back disorders and even more common conditions, such as muscle strain, can be linked to one avoidable thing: inappropriate, poor quality, or ill-fitting shoes. A good quality, properly fitting shoe pays big dividends for your …

As far as household chores are concerned, snow shoveling is one of the most stressful and traumatic household chores you can do to your spinal cord and muscles.

When shoveling, consider these tips:

Make sure your body is properly conditioned before donning …

Make sure your car seat is adjusted to the point that it allows you to sit comfortably and firmly against the seat back without having to lean forward or stretch.
Engage your seat and shoulder belts and ensure that your headrest …

There are hundreds of ways (some subtle and some readily apparent) that we can injure ourselves working or relaxing in and around the home. By not following basic safety precautions and just simple common sense, we put our health at …

Did you know that people lose 20 to 40 percent of their muscle (and along with it their strength) as they age? Our population is aging rapidly as a result of the huge baby boom in the 1950s and 1960s, …

In spite of its long recognition by the medical community and the government as a safe, proven and effective treatment, many people today still have misconceptions about chiropractic care.

Daniel David Palmer, who is known as the father of chiropractic, bore …

Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to be a safe and effective alternative treatment for pain and injury.

Chiropractors perform 95 percent of all adjustments in the world to correct the subluxations, or misalignments, of the vertebrae in the spine. Chiropractic adjustments …

Getting older doesn’t mean that you have to stop moving. It doesn’t mean you have to sit back and watch your family go out and do things without you. However, in order to be able to do those things as …

If you find yourself with a sore neck or back as you go to sleep, or with uncomfortable pain throughout the day, then you are probably suffering from the result of poor posture like many other people around you. From …

Do you play the piano or perform assembly type work at your job? You might be more prone to get carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is when the median nerve becomes pressured or squeezed at the wrist, which easily …

Do you play tennis or golf, or any other sport? Do you use your wrist and forearm frequently as part of your job? Chances are, you might be more likely to suffer from painful tendon problems in your elbow, also …

Chiropractors diagnose and treat a broad range of physical conditions in patients with muscular, nervous, and skeletal problems, especially the spine.

Chiropractors make use of conventional diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, and lab work, as well as specific procedures that …

The word chiropractic comes from the Greek words, “chiro,” meaning hand, and “practic,” meaning practice, or treatment. Thus, “treatment by hand” is an appropriate definition since chiropractors typically use their hands to manipulate different parts of the body in an …

One of the main causes of pain and disease in the human body can be traced to improper alignment of the vertebrae in your spinal column. This is called a subluxation. Through carefully applied pressure, massage, and manual manipulation of …

When all of your body’s inter-related systems—including your musculoskeletal, nervous and vascular systems—are in balance and functioning properly, your body possesses a remarkable knack for healing itself. This state is called homeostasis.

Stress, accidents, sports injuries, even overexertion, can cause your …

For centuries scientists, physicians, and even philosophers have long believed that the body’s spinal cord is at the root of many ailments that have nothing to do with back or neck pain.

But the birth of the chiropractic profession was not …

Chiropractors diagnose and treat a broad range of physical conditions in patients with muscular, nervous, and skeletal problems, especially the spine.

Chiropractors make use of conventional diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, and lab work, as well as specific procedures that …

Corsets, braces and splints are used in chiropractic treatment. A common application of braces is used to treat children with idiopathic scoliosis, or curvature of the spine.

Back braces are recommended only for children (girls between the ages of 11 and …

Chiropractors believe that when your body is in a state of homeostasis, or balance, all of its varied systems function properly to repair or reverse injury or disease.

It is a holistic approach to patient care, one that focuses on a …

A neurological examination is sometimes performed to determine if any part of your body has incurred damage to its central nervous system. Many health problems have been associated with nerve damage, and such, this exam can significantly improve the chances …

When the muscles supporting the lower spine need to be strengthened, lumbar stabilization may be used in your chiropractic treatment as a form of physical therapy. Lumbar stabilization helps you develop strength, flexibility, and endurance and also has been shown …

Some recent studies have shown that patients suffering from chronic headaches and migraines may benefit more from long-term chiropractic care than drug therapy alone.

For headaches that originate in the cervical (neck) area, chiropractic treatment, such as spinal manipulation, has been …

A whole host of things can go wrong with a vertebral disc over a lifetime. A traumatic injury can crush or misplace a disc. An excessive pulling or lifting accident at home or on the job can force a disc …

Whiplash is an injury to the cervical spine, or neck, and occurs when the muscles and other soft tissues are hyper extended or hyperflexed. Whiplash can damage the intervertebral discs of the upper spine.

Most instances of whiplash occur during a …

A common joint disorder involves the sacroiliac joint, which links the bottom of the spine with pelvic bone. This joint endures a lot of pressure and absorbs the shocks from the upper body.

Although it is a very strong and mostly …

Mechanical manipulation can offer some relief for people suffering from sleep apnea. Manipulation may improve the function of the muscles in your chest wall, and thus, help you breathe more easily and boost the oxygenation of your blood during sleep. …

Ice Therapy
Heat Therapy
Electrotherapy
Exercise Therapy
Ultrasound Therapy
Massage Therapy

In many cases, temporary pain and even additional injury can be minimized and even avoided by a simple application of ice. Ice, applied in a timely manner and in an appropriate way, can reduce inflammation. Inflammation left unchecked can allow …

While ice therapy is used to reduce swelling, heat therapy is used to relax the muscles and increase circulation. Both kinds of therapy help reduce pain.

Heat therapy is often used in patients who have chronic or long-lasting pain. Heat therapy …

Because the body’s nerves are electrical conductors, medical professionals have long held that stimulating nerve endings with small electrical current can produce beneficial results.

The theory behind electrotherapy as part of chiropractic care is that such stimulation to affected nerves and …

Exercise therapy is a form of chiropractic treatment used to help manage pain, rehabilitate damaged soft tissues (such as muscles, ligament and tendons), and restore normal range of motion and function.

Such therapy has been shown to alleviate pain, improve overall …

Many of us have heard about how ultrasound is used as a diagnostic test to explore disease process and injury in the human body. Diagnostic ultrasound, for example, can be used to look at joints, nerve roots, tendons, ligaments and …

Arthritis
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Back Injuries
Failed Back Surgery
Birth Trauma
Bone Spurs
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Disc Disorders
Nerve Disorders
Osteoporosis
Scoliosis
Sleep Apnea
Sports Injuries
Stenosis
Whiplash
What is Scheuermann’s Disease
Joint Disorders – Spine
Headaches/Migraines

Arthritis Treatment

In general terms, arthritis is the gradual breakdown or deterioration of the joint spaces in your musculoskeletal system. According to experts, 8 out of 10 Americans over the age of 55 suffer from arthritis pain. In many cases, arthritis …

In recent years, chiropractic medicine has shown some promising results in caring for children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also commonly referred to as attention deficit disorder, or ADD.

Although drugs, such as Ritalin, have demonstrated some effectiveness in treating …

Back injuries are sustained in a myriad of ways and some people are more likely to develop back pain and injury than others are. Some people incur back injuries from doing seemingly nothing; a simple twist or turn the wrong …

Patients whose problems were not answered by surgery sometimes call upon chiropractors for help. It is unfortunate they did not consult with a chiropractor before surgery to determine whether their pain or other symptoms would be addressed without drugs or …

The act of birth is both a joyous and traumatic event. Few people realize how traumatic birthing can be on an infant’s spinal cord. Even under the best of circumstances with highly trained and competent physicians, a baby’s nervous system …

As we get older, the discs and the joints of our spines and other bony structures undergo changes; some of these changes are degenerative in nature. While degeneration occurs even in the healthiest of people, it can be encouraged by …

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressive and sometimes painful joint disorder caused by a compression of the median nerve of your hand. The compression causes swelling, which exerts pressure on the nerves.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is probably the most common source …

Many of us are familiar with the terms “slipped disc” and “herniated disc.” But few people outside the medical profession truly understand how critical their spinal discs are. Without discs, our vertebrae would grind against each other and our spines …

Your spine includes an incredibly complex network of nerves that originate in your brain, coursing their way downward through the spinal column and exiting at more than 60 different locations from the base of your skull all the way to …

Osteoporosis is a gradual disintegration of bone and it can have a devastating impact on the joints and vertebrae of your spine.

Osteoporosis causes the loss of mass and density in bones, making them highly susceptible to fractures. If the bones …

Scoliosis is a medical term that refers to spinal curvatures. Scoliosis is a condition that almost always begins in early childhood. And it is exceedingly rare. In fact, only about 5 out of 1,000 American children usually develop curved spines …

It is fairly normal for most of us to snore from time to time, especially if we are tired.

The rattling sound we hear in people who snore is actually caused by the tissues in your throat, such as the soft …

Though there is no such thing as a “safe” sport, highly competitive sports, such as football, weightlifting, gymnastics, and wrestling, pose particularly higher risks of injuries, especially among children.

According to experts, as much as 20 percent of all sports-related injuries …

In a normal healthy spine, bundles of nerves exit the spinal column at dozens of tiny locations from the base of the skull to the top of the lower back. When these openings become blocked or narrowed, nerves can become …

A hunchback appearance of the spine maybe a sign of Scheuermann’s disease, a condition caused by an enlargement or deformity of the round back portion of the thoracic spine.

People with Scheuermann’s disease have wedge-shaped vertebrae in their upper spine, which …

The bony structures that allow your back and neck to easily move in different directions are called “facet joints.” Facet joints provide about one-fifth of your lower back and neck’s twisting stability. Facet joints are located in pairs at each …

Whiplash is probably one of the most misunderstood and misaligned kinds of injuries; people involved in automobile accidents often suspect they have whiplash if they feel any kind of soreness in their neck. This is not to diminish the fact …

Featured Topics Include:

Ankle/Foot Pain
Shoulder Pain
Back Pain
Elbow Pain
Wrist Pain
Heel Pain
Jaw Pain
Knee Pain
Leg Pain
Neck Pain
Neuropathic Pain
Pregnancy Pain

Ankle pain can be caused by something as minor as an ill-fitting shoe or as major as an injury. Many kinds of ankle pain originate on the outer, or lateral, side of the ankle. People with ankle pain often complain …

Shoulder pain can be caused by a wide variety of things, including a subluxation, or vertebral misalignment, or injury.

Most often, shoulder pain can be traced to tenderness or soreness of the rotator-cuff tendon. The rotator cuff is the part of …

Eighty percent of Americans experience one form of back pain or another during the course of their lives. More men over the age of 45 are disabled by back pain than any other condition. It is the third most common …

If you experience pain in your elbow, chances are very good it was incurred in an injury or physical activity, such as exercise or sports.

Here’s a look at some types of elbow pain:

Golfer’s elbow– A type of elbow pain …

Carpal tunnel syndrome is probably the most common source of wrist pain. Symptoms may include soreness, numbness or tingling, or a burning sensation. Carpal tunnel is caused by compression in the median nerve of your hand. The compression causes swelling.

Carpal …

Heel pain, like ankle pain, can be caused by something as simple as bad shoes or an injury. But more often than not, heel pain is associated with problems with the nerves, tendons, and ligaments of the foot.

The repetitive pounding …

Pain in the jaw comes from a wide variety of things. Sometimes jaw pain is caused by an injury. In many cases, however, jaw pain is caused by a disorder of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the ball-and-socket joint on each …

The human knee is a marvel. Although it is an incredibly complex and sturdy structure, it also is more prone to injury than any other bony structure besides the spine.

Common causes of knee pain:

Arthritis of the knee– Arthritis most often …

Sciatica Treatment

The largest nerve in the human body may be responsible for one of the most common causes of leg pain. The sciatic nerve connects the spinal cord with the leg and foot muscles, and runs down both sides of …

Your cervical spine connects your brain stem to your spinal cord. It is an area rich in blood vessels and other soft tissue, such as ligament and tendons. Neck pain is slightly less common than back pain, but no less …

Neuropathic pain is a debilitating form of chronic pain that results from peripheral or central nervous system damage. When the damage is peripheral in nature, it is often referred to as nerve pain, sensory peripheral neuropathy, or peripheral neuritis.

Neuropathic pain …

Largely because of the physical and hormonal changes to their bodies, many pregnant women can experience various kinds of back pain.

Here’s a look at some of the kinds of pain pregnant women are prone to:

Coccyx (tailbone) pain
Groin pain
Pelvic pain (which …

The spinal column is an intricate framework of interlocking bones that, when viewed from the side, form a gentle “S” shape. The spine is a sophisticated system—both fragile and sturdy—of muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, discs, a spinal cord, and nerves.

Daily …