Tag: Tampa Chiropractic Care

tech neck South Tampa Chiropractic Care DrivenFit

Tech Neck: How Sitting at a Computer All Day Effects Your Body

Written by Luis Echeverry on August 28, 2020. Posted in Lifestyle.

Our bodies are not designed to be sedentary. Nor are they are designed to be bent or hunched over for extended periods. Yet that is exactly what happens to our body almost all day long, every day. 

Thanks to the advancement of technology we can do almost everything we need from a computer or phone. With more time spent on our devices (you’re reading this on one right now), working from home in chairs or couches without proper support, and more and more time watching TV – it comes at a cost. Here we explain technology aka tech neck and the impact on your body:

How Sitting Affects Your Health

Take a moment and think about your typical workday. Besides a couple of trips to the bathroom or the break room for coffee, you are probably seated in your desk chair staring at a computer screen for 7-8 hours a day. And then, after a long workday, you come home and want nothing more than to sit in front of the couch and catch up on your television shows or social media accounts on your phone or tablet and then you retire to your bedroom to lie down and go to sleep. We hope you fit a workout in there somewhere though of course…

A sedentary lifestyle can have a drastic negative influence on our overall health and body. From a broader perspective, we are burning fewer calories, which can lead to increased weight, we are losing muscle and bone strength, and our blood has more problems circulating.

These bigger issues can lead to tens if not hundreds of other issues such as heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, inflammation issues, weakened immune systems, eye strain, poor posture, and arthritis and joint issues to just name a few.

What is Tech Neck?

“Tech neck” is a relatively new term but refers to the idea that at almost all times you are working at a computer, looking down at your phone, or hunched over a tablet or other devices. Take a sec and mentally check your posture right now; you may need to hear it: sit up straighter.

Why? The muscles in the back of your neck have to contract to hold your head up and when you look down for long periods of time and these muscles have to work harder to keep your head up. This idea of “tech neck” results in stressed muscles, which in turn cause neck and shoulder pain as well as stiffness and soreness.

A worst-case scenario of tech neck can cause pressure on discs that can eventually bulge or rupture causing pinched nerves, which may need surgical treatment.

Alternatives To Sitting

Virtually everyone is susceptible to suffering from tech neck when you spend a significant amount of time in front of a computer or on your phone. But how can the symptoms of “tech neck” be alleviated?

Evaluate Your Workspace

If you spend most of your time in front of your computer, it is essential to evaluate your space.

One of the easiest fixes is to make sure your computer is at eye level. If it is not, your neck is flexed the entire time. Raise your computer so your neck is in a neutral position. 

It is also a good reminder that if you are using your phone or tablet for an extended amount of time to make sure to hold or position your device at eye level so you do not have to tilt your head or look down to view it.

Get A Standing Desk

Standing desks are becoming quite popular and that is due to the positive effects it has when in use. People that use standing desks overall show decreased less upper back and neck pain and felt more productive and focused. We use a standing desk here at the studio; highly recommend!

Get A Properly Fitted Chair

If your chair is too big it does not allow for proper seating posture. You will want to get a chair that has very good lumbar support. This will take the pressure off the neck muscles because you will not be learning forward causing strain.

If you cannot afford a new chair you can also use a pillow behind your back or a footstool for foot support. These are simple inexpensive ideas that can make a big difference.

Get Up And Move!

Look no further than yourself! Make mental – and even physical notes – to remind yourself to get up and move.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator, stand up and stretch, take a quick lap around your home or office every hour, or take a walk outside during your breaks.

Stopping Tech Neck Pains

Let’s face it; computers and phones are not going away anytime soon. While no one wants to suffer from “tech neck” it seems almost inevitable. If you have tried to alleviate your symptoms through some of these DIY remedies and you are still experiencing pain, there is hope!

At Driven Fit, we offer a variety of programs and options that will allow your body to feel transformed, rejuvenated, and restored. We will work with you to create an individualized plan that can consist of massage therapy, chiropractic care, and personal training to focus on strengthening your neck and back muscles.

Call or text us today at 813-440-3016 and let us show you how to alleviate your neck pain and suffering!

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Correct Posture Month May Driven Fit + SWS Chiropractors Tampa

Unexpected Things Chiropractic Care Can Help With

Written by Luis Echeverry on August 13, 2020. Posted in Chiropractic, Lifestyle.

Every day millions of people who suffer from chronic back and neck pain seek chiropractic care for relief. However, what a lot of people don’t know is that chiropractic care is not just limited to alleviating these two ailments!

In fact, chiropractic treatment is one of the safest, most natural, and most effective forms of therapy used to treat a wide range of issues. Here are some unexpected things that chiropractic care can help with…

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is a form of therapy that focuses on the body’s natural healing abilities. Treatment typically involves manual therapy such as spinal manipulation, however, exercise and nutritional counseling are often included in a chiropractic treatment plan.

At Driven Fit, our chiropractic team, led by Dr. Sponaugle, uses treatments such as stretching, sustained pressure, and specific joint manipulations that are delivered by hand and involve a quick and gentle thrust. Chiropractic care is often the first step in reducing chronic pain.

“There is a vast difference between treating the effects and adjusting the cause.” – Dr. D.D. Palmer

Unexpected Ailments Treated by Chiropractic Care

Immune System Support

What’s the best defense when it comes to preventing illness and overall wellness? A strong and healthy immune system!

For those who get sick often and typically turn to antibiotics, chiropractic care is an excellent way to give your immune system a boost – especially when paired with eating a gut-healthy and balanced diet as well as regular physical activity.

Chiropractic manipulation (and a properly aligned spine) improves the nervous system, thus helping every cell and organ in your body – including your immune system!

Improved Sleep & More Energy

There’s a lot going on right now – for everyone – and it’s not helping in terms of getting a good night’s sleep. In addition to stress, pain and discomfort also play a role in sleeping issues. Enter chiropractic care. Not only can this form of therapy regain healthy sleep patterns, it can also give you more energy.

Manual adjustments help with overall pain and discomfort throughout the body, but specifically help realign the nervous system, thus creating improved sleep quality. In addition, adjustments provide renewed energy by freeing nerves to work more efficiently.

Increased Flexibility

Another unexpected benefit to chiropractic care is improved mobility and flexibility. Whether a sedentary lifestyle has started to wreak havoc or you’re suffering from an injury, your muscles and ligaments can become inflexible and cause pain.

Manual adjustments can improve your range of mobility and help you get back to normal without having to live with pain and discomfort.

Chiropractic Care at Driven Fit

Chiropractic care at Driven Fit + SWS is more than just an alignment. You can also expect:

An in-depth consultation to determine your customized treatment plan
Awareness and education of proper exercise, nutrition, and supplements
Body posture & gait analysis
A specialized assessment and access to a full-wellness solution at our unique wellness studio

Ready to give chiropractic care a try at Driven Fit + SWS in South Tampa? Call our chiropractic team! For a free consultation, please call or text (813) 440-3016 or learn more about our chiropractic services.

Woman getting Acupuncture to help with weight loss DrivenFit

Stress: How Acupuncture Can Help

Written by Luis Echeverry on May 1, 2020. Posted in Chiropractic, Transformation.

Dealing with an extra dose of stress these days? You’re not alone. Between balancing work, homeschooling the kids, and other commitments, your stress levels are likely through the roof! What you may not realize is how stress can lead to significant health issues such as high blood pressure, heart conditions, premature aging, and a slew of other conditions. It’s time to get help! At Driven Fit in South Tampa, we can help ease (and manage) your stress levels with effective, chiropractic care treatments such as acupuncture. See how…

What is Acupuncture?

Ancient Chinese medicine believes the physical body to be regulated by an energy force called Qi.

Similar to the circulatory system, Qi moves throughout the body via pathways called meridians. If the body is in a state of good health, it has optimal energy flow, and if the body is in an unbalanced state, it creates energetic blockages.

Acupuncture promotes the body’s healthy energy flow of Qi and opens the blockages that may lead to physical and emotional disorders. It has been proven by numerous scientific studies to be one of the most viable and effective alternative methods for healing and overall well-being.

Acupuncture is a natural, drug-free treatment for stress!

How does Acupuncture Treat Stress?

Stress is your body’s response to handling tough or demanding situations. Your nervous system springs into action and releases hormones that prepare you to either fight or take off i.e. the “fight or flight” response.

By strategically inserting needles half a millimeter away from a nerve, acupuncture eases stress by releasing endorphins that stimulate the part of the brain that control emotions (including stress and anxiety) and leads to a more balanced Qi.

Acupuncture offers benefits in other areas that can also reduce stress, some of which include:

Better sleep quality
More energy
Immune system support
Headache relief
Digestive support

Manage Stress with Acupuncture

To manage chronic stress and anxiety, people often turn to anti-anxiety medication which can result in negative side effects, such as weight gain, insomnia, dizziness, and more. Acupuncture is an effective and natural method of treating stress which attacks the problem at its roots. Best of all, the symptoms lessen almost immediately!

At Driven Fit, we are proud to be partnered with Sponaugle Wellness Studio – one of Tampa’s premier chiropractic and natural healing specialists! We focus on creating a total healthy lifestyle at our studio gym. If you are interested in learning more about acupuncture or would like to schedule a FREE consultation, please click here or call/text team Driven at (813) 440-3016.

Chiropractic Care for Active Lifestyles

Written by Luis Echeverry on August 15, 2019. Posted in Chiropractic, Lifestyle, Rejuvenation.

“Chiropractic care just makes you feel so much better. When I walk out of the clinic, I feel like I’m about three inches taller and everything’s in place. As long as I see the chiropractor, I feel like I’m one step ahead of the game.” – Tom Brady

Whether you think he’s the GOAT or not, he’s not wrong, chiropractic care is one of the best ways to improve performance and recovery. It is a healing therapy that is a safe, drug-free option to locate, correct and prevent joint dysfunctions. Chiropractic plays a vital role in keeping your body balanced, flexible, and functioning at its best – especially if you’re more active.

How does chiropractic care support an active lifestyle?

Whether you’re a professional athlete, sports enthusiast, or weekend warrior, you are susceptible to spinal injuries or displacement.

Your spinal column – made up of 24 independent vertebrae – is what enables your body to move, twist, and bend during activities. It also helps protect the central nervous system which controls every muscle, tissue, and organ of the body. Subluxations of the spine (a.k.a. joint dysfunctions) can have a negative effect on nerve communication from the brain to the body, often resulting in pain or discomfort.

Chiropractic care helps with relief.

At Driven + SWS, our licensed chiropractor works to identify the source of pain and eliminate joint restrictions or subluxations which can prevent proper nerve communication from the brain to the body.

While seeking relief from pain, we recommend multiple visits per week for several weeks or until the pain subsides. Dr. Sarah may also recommend home therapies such as icing and stretching to help between sessions.

Chiropractic care helps with recovery.

Even if the pain from an injury subsides, athletes should continue receiving chiropractic care as muscle or soft tissue damage may still be present. During the recovery period, we recommend one to two chiropractic visits per week in addition to doing strength exercises at home.

Chiropractic care helps with wellness.

Even when an athlete feels healthy, routine chiropractic care can help improve health and well-being and serve as an early detection system for new issues. We will recommend maintenance visits based on your specific needs along with a balanced diet and exercise program.

If it works for the pros….

An estimated 90% of all world-class athletes use chiropractic care to prevent injury and improve performance with the following:

Increased range of motion
Decreased muscle soreness from intense workouts
Reduced recovery time
Increased flexibility and performance
Enhanced immune functionality
Natural pain relief for the joints, back, neck, leg, knee, ankle, foot, shoulder, arm, elbow, and wrist and conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, fibromyalgia, and carpal tunnel syndrome

If you are an athlete at any level and are interested in chiropractic care for relief, recovery, or maintenance visits, please call or text our South Tampa wellness center today at 813-440-3016.

Chiropractic FAQs Dr Sarah Hyde Park Tampa Chiropractor

What’s That Sound? Chiropractic FAQs

Written by Luis Echeverry on April 25, 2019. Posted in Chiropractic, Rejuvenation.

Are you curious about visiting a chiropractor, but also skeptical as well? At Driven Fit + Sponaugle Wellness Studio Tampa, our chiropractic care focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of issues with the spine, nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems to restore total body health. Our chiropractor, Dr. Sarah Sponaugle, uses a holistic approach and takes into consideration the many variables that affect health such as diet, environment, rest, and exercise. Here we answer some of the more common questions about chiropractic treatments.

What is a chiropractic adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment (a.k.a. spinal manipulation) is a procedure performed by a highly trained chiropractor who uses his or her hands (or a small instrument) and applies a low force in a specific direction to a specific joint. This is a quick and gentle movement that is neither forceful nor painful.

What is the goal of a chiropractic adjustment?

The ultimate goal of a chiropractic adjustment is to improve body mechanics and correct subluxations (what occurs when one or more spinal vertebrae move out of position and create stress or irritation of nearby nerves, preventing the body from functioning normally).

The adjustment helps to eliminate any interference to the nervous system, improve spinal function, and overall health.

What is that sound I hear?

Sometimes the adjustment can produce a cracking or popping sound. This is absolutely nothing to be alarmed by and is completely normal.

When the chiropractor moves joints to the body’s end range, a little bubble of gas is released from the joint capsule called joint cavitation. This release of gas can sometimes create a popping sound. Anyone new to chiropractic treatments may think their bones are cracking. We promise this is not the case!

Are chiropractic adjustments painful?

Not at all. However, some clients will experience temporary soreness or achiness after an adjustment – comparable to the soreness felt after a workout. Typically, the adjustment has the opposite effect and relieves pain immediately.

Are all patients adjusted the same way?

No. Each adjustment is as unique as each client. There are hundreds of ways to adjust the spine, and each person is adjusted based on their body types and specific needs. At Driven Fit + Sponaugle Wellness, Dr. Sarah applies the best adjustment technique for each individual.

How many treatments will I need?

Again, each client is different, and therefore each person will have a customized treatment plan based on his or her needs. Chiropractic treatments can range from just a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the condition.

Still wondering if chiropractic care is for you? We’re here to help! Please call or text us at (813) 440-3016 with any questions or to schedule a free consultation with our South Tampa Chiropractor.

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Chiropractic Care Improves Athletic Performance Driven Fit

How Chiropractic Care Improves Athletic Performance

Written by Luis Echeverry on February 19, 2019. Posted in Chiropractic, Lifestyle, Transformation.

Every athlete has a competitive edge that strives for peak performance. That edge is what makes us train properly, eat the right foods at the right times, and maintain our overall health to improve performance and define endurance. Another great way to ensure your body is in peak condition is through chiropractic care. Best used as a before and after treatment, chiropractic care can prepare your body to perform at its best and help it recover one you’ve put it through the grind. Need some convincing that it actually works? Read more about how chiropractic care improves athletic performance:

Preventative Care. Chiropractic care is not just effective to treat injury, but also for preventative care. Through regular chiropractic treatments, you will be able to target areas that are susceptible to injury based on your medical history, your exercise regiment, and your current level of athletic performance.

Peak Performance. Because injury prevention is a huge component of chiropractic care, your body is going to be healthier and stronger. You can train harder and test your limits with a lower risk of injury which only can improve your athletic performance. Chiropractic treatments can also help further your range of motion, enhance your flexibility, and increase your overall health.

Reduces Pain. If you’re injured, chiropractic care targets the pain at the source and eliminates the main problem, not just the symptoms of the problem. Treatments such as spinal decompression therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and professional massage are effective in releasing the pressure of your injury and reducing pain.

Optimize Recovery Time. As an athlete, recovery is critically important to reduce pain and prevent injury. Many chiropractic treatments revolve around the nervous system, which plays a large role in recovery from an injury. If you’ve been injured, your chiropractor will make sure your nerve signals are operating properly, your muscles are relaxed, and your blood is circulating correctly.

Less Medication. A great benefit to chiropractic care is that it’s a medication-free option for treating and preventing a vast range of injuries that can impact athletic performance. This all-natural approach to healing prevents dependence on medications that can become addictive or cause adverse side effects.

Simply put, chiropractic care for sports injuries is one of the best low-risk treatments to complement other medical treatment, speed-up your recovery, and reduce pain. Sound like something you need? We can help! If you’re interested in a free consultation with our South Tampa chiropractor, please call us today at (813) 440-3016.

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What to Expect with Tampa Chiropractic Care

Tampa Chiropractic Care

Written by Luis Echeverry on January 16, 2019. Posted in Chiropractic, Rejuvenation.

At Driven + Sponaugle Wellness Studio Tampa, our chiropractic care focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of issues with the spine, nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems to restore total body health. Our chiropractor, Dr. Sponaugle, uses a holistic approach for your overall wellness. She takes into consideration the many variables that affect health such as diet, environment, rest, and exercise. At a much deeper level, she’s doing much more than just adjusting the spine.

What to Expect During My First Visit?

At your first visit to our Tampa chiropractic care center, you will meet with Dr. Sponaugle for an initial consultation. At this meeting, she will do an assessment of your overall health and suggest a treatment plan to restore total body wellness.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

With chiropractic care, the treatment plan is customized to your individual needs. Chiropractic treatments can range from just a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of your condition.

Chiropractic care can also be used anytime as part of a lifelong choice to continue a path of well-being. Even if there is no acute pain, it is common to continue chiropractic treatments (especially for athletes) as regular maintenance keeps you aligned and in peak form.

How Chiropractic Care Helps Back Pain

One of the most common issues we help with at Driven + Sponaugle Wellness Studio is chronic back pain. Why? The back is a complex structure of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles. Damage to any of these structures can lead to back pain. There is a long list of causes for back pain; some of the more common include poor posture, obesity, or psychological stress. We offer a comprehensive approach to your health and wellbeing.

If you’re in need of a chiropractor in South Tampa and would like to schedule a consultation, please give our wellness studio a call or text (813) 440-3016. Our experienced chiropractor will treat your condition with natural healing to restore your body back to total health.