Tag Archives: back pain fort myers

06.26.23
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Chiropractic Care for Back Pain in Fort Myers, Florida

Chiropractic fort myers, florida Dr Kaster The West Coast Integrative Wellness Center

Chiropractic fort myers, florida Dr Kaster The West Coast Integrative Wellness CenterAre you plagued by back pain? Do you feel like all your efforts to improve your wellbeing have failed and yet the aches and pains persist? If resolving low-back pain is on your list of goals, looking into chiropractic care maybe able to help.

The Causes of Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is a common health complaint among adults, affecting nearly 80% of individuals at some point in their lives. It is characterized by discomfort in the lower back region, typically below the ribs and above the legs. The causes of lower back pain can range from simple muscle strains to more complex issues like spinal stenosis or herniated discs. Poor posture, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle are also known risk factors.


If you’re experiencing persistent lower back pain, it’s important to seek medical attention to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

How can Chiropractic Care Help with Low Back Pain
Chiropractic care is one potential solution that can help relieve pain and improve function of the entire spine including the lower back.

This form of care focuses on manipulating the spine and other musculoskeletal structures, which can effectively reduce pain and stiffness associated with low back pain.

The benefits of chiropractic care include improved mobility, reduced inflammation, and enhanced overall function. By addressing the root cause of low back pain, chiropractic care can help individuals achieve long-lasting relief and improved quality of life.

How Chiropractic Care Works
By manipulating the spine and surrounding muscles, chiropractors can alleviate pressure on the nerves and increase mobility. This not only provides relief for existing pain but can also prevent future issues from arising. Chiropractic care is non invasive and less expensive than other treatments such as surgery or prescription drugs.

Different Types of Chiropractic Techniques
Chiropractic care relies on a variety of methods to help alleviate pain and improve spinal health. From the gentle, low-force approach of Activator Technique to the more traditional spinal manipulation of Gonstead Technique, Flexion-Distractions, and the Thompson Technique, a skilled chiropractor such as Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. of the West Coast Integrative Wellness Center, formerly Kaster Chiropractic & Associates, will be able to tailor their treatment to your specific needs.

The goal is to restore proper alignment and function to your spine, allowing your body to heal itself naturally.

DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Therapy at the West Coast Integrative Wellness Center in Fort Myers, Florida

This groundbreaking technology is the ultimate in decompression therapy. It can help with low back pain, sciatica, disc degeneration, disc herniations, nerve impingement, and even posterior facet syndrome.

Reducing Pain with Exercise & Stretching
We are happy to suggest specific stretches and exercises tailored to your health and recovery needs. The more you stretch and strengthen the better adjustments hold over time and the stronger your body becomes. Increased mobility and added strength can go far in helping to heal and alleviate low back pain.

If you are experiencing low back pain don’t wait. Call the office of the West Coast Integrative Wellness Center in Fort Myers, Florida today! www.kasterchiropractic.com to learn more! 239-332-2555.

04.28.22
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Increased Health with Breathwork

Breath Work for Increased Health

Breath Work for Increased HealthBelieve it or not, you can influence your physical biology through proper breathing techniques.

Reduce stress, increase energy, boost focus, and help diminish pain levels.

Breathing is an automatic function. Yet we can still alter and influence it with intention and practice. Breathing can help with the regulation of heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, muscle contraction, and even help balance hormones.
Our bodies react to situations in a primitive survival mode. Fight or flight kicks in to protect us. This gets wrongly applied in modern times to daily stress. The result is that many of us are walking around with spiking cortisol levels, adrenal fatigue, depression, and disease.

Breathing can help combat chronic fatigue and other health issues

This method works for humans as well as other mammals!

What’s the method? THE SIGH.

Sighing is a method of self-regulation. It can help enhance focus and the ability to stand in your own power.

Sighing is hardwired into your DNA.

People sigh when they are nervous, frustrated, jittery, and anxious. It’s subconscious and automatic. Your body is trying to help you. You may wonder if it is programmed into your anatomy, why would you need to practice this purposefully?

It is about you sharpening those reactions and connections, so in time you will be stronger, more self-aware, and better able to take on daily stresses with ease and remain in control.

You can practice the sigh anytime you feel stressed.

THE METHOD

Take two good deep inhales through the nose (with no exhale in between), followed by a full exhale (through the mouth).
*This is very important to rid the lungs of carbon dioxide.

This is one of the most powerful tools you have to work with your physiological stress response system.

Next time you are feeling stressed out – Just Breathe

www.kasterchiropratic.com  |  Fort Myers, Florida   |  239-332-2555

09.01.21
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Ready to Feel Better – Call Kaster Chiropractic

Dr. Kaster Kaster Chiropractic fort myers

Chiropractic. It’s ALL Connected!

Dr. Kaster Kaster Chiropractic fort myersThe human body is an amazing and complicated machine. We take for granted the movements, range of motion, and strength we have because we are so used to what our bodies can do. We notice most when something hurts, becomes strained, or injured.

You may experience trauma or just sleep wrong one night and suddenly your neck or back hurts. You may feel a pulling sensation from one part of your body to another. For example, if you wake up with a headache and your neck hurts, it could be your neck, but it also could be your shoulders, back, hips, knees, or even all the way down to your ankles.

One misalignment, much like on your car and it can pull your whole alignment of the body out of whack. This is where chiropractic comes in. A gentle reset by readjusting the skeletal frame in its entirety and it will allow your body to heal by also realigning your musculature, ligaments, and tendons. When we are out of alignment, in the state of subluxations, pulling occurs. It can make you achy, sore, and even further injure the body through overcompensation over time.

Visiting your chiropractor regularly even when you feel ok is the key to keeping yourself well. An ounce of cure is worth a pound of prevention after all. It is less staining, time-consuming, and expensive in the long run to take care of yourself rather than having to seek out treatment when you present with pain or other symptoms.

At the Fort Myers Office of Kaster Chiropractic and Associates here in Florida, we enjoy building a lasting relationship with our patients. That way if you do experience a health emergency you don’t have to search hoping to find a good physician who is qualified, talented, and really cares.

Give us a call to schedule today. 239-332-2555. Visit www.kasterchiropractic.com to learn more about our services and our practice.

07.01.21
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Chiropractic Beats Out Pain Killers for Long Term Pain Relief

Dr kaster fort myers florida chiropractic

Dr kaster fort myers florida chiropracticBack pain can be debilitating. It can hamper your activities, your life, your ability to work, and even make you feel less like yourself. It is difficult to remain happy and positive when you are in constant pain.

If you suffer from back pain chronically or intermittently you are far from alone. Nearly 65 million Americans reported a recent incident of back pain.  8 percent of all adult experience persistent or chronic back pain that limits everyday activities. Back pain ranks as the sixth most costly condition in the United States.

While NSAID pain relievers such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, or aspirin can help to block and dull pain they do not remove the cause, so the pain returns when the medication wears off. The same holds true for pain medications including opioids.

Studies prove that chiropractic care can help on a more permanent basis. This most recent study divided 100 patients into three groups. Group 1 received spinal adjustments and a placebo drug while Group 2 received real doses of a drug and sham adjustments. Group 3 received both the placebo and sham treatments (aka no actual treatment at all).

The Result:
Group 1 reported the biggest pain reduction. Better quality of life was also reported.

Groups 2 and 3 both reported almost no change other than when medication was currently active in their systems.

These improvements for group 1 lasted through to the 12 week follow up.

While many studies have proven the validity of chiropractic over the years this is the first study to prove its efficacy over NSAID medications.

Chiropractic simply works. If you are ready to stop dealing with back pain give the office of Kaster Chiropractic a call today at 239-332-2555. Visit www.kasterchiropractic.com to learn more. We look forward to seeing you in our office!

 

12.03.20
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Chronic Back Pain Help from Chiropractic Care

One of the most often asked questions we get from patients with lower back pain is “how long do you think it could be before I feel better?”

That’s a very fair question. Healing and becoming pain free are the ultimate outcome here after all. For acute low back pain 2 to 4 weeks is standard. This encompasses 6 to 12 sessions in that time frame.

The initial treatment is the passive phase. Adjustments are done and the patient remains at rest using ice, heat, ultrasound, traction, and massage. The patient is not given any exercises at this point to strengthen the back muscles.

The second part of the treatment is what is known as the active phase. Exercises are added in at home to increase function and strength. This helps get you back to your daily life. Muscle supports the spine so the more muscle you have the better your spine and adjustments will hold in place.

Most patients with acute back pain (sudden onset) have symptoms that resolve in the first 4 weeks. Some patients though do go on to the level of chronic back pain lasting more than 12 weeks. If that is the case, you may have reached a healing plateau.

If the pain is mild to severe a patient may still need 1-6 visits for an episode. Rarely patients need ongoing care of 1 to 4 visits per month.

Generally back pain will subside over time with treatment. We have had great success over the years with our patients here in Fort Myers, Florida.

Living with chronic low back pain is a challenge, but chiropractors want to stress to patients that self-therapy is an important part of pain management. This can include rehabilitation and range-of-motion exercises.

Make sure to communicate all of your symptoms as well as what you are doing at home to help when you meet with your Chiropractor. That way you will get the best most effective care possible.

Give the office a call to schedule your visit. 239-332-2555. Visit: www.drkasters.com to learn more!

Chiropractic| Nutrition in Ft Myers, FL.

Fort Myers Chiropractor, Dr. Jason B. KasterChiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent it as soon as possible?

Kaster Chiropractic and Associates – Chiropractic and nutrition in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.

www.kasterchriopractic.com
239-332-2555

07.15.20
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Get Back in the Swing of Things at the Gym, The Right Way

gym-exercise-health-kaster-chiropractic-fort-myers

Most of us have been out of the loop spending too much time just relaxing on the couch. 

This means less physical activity leading to slowed metabolisms, weight gain or loss, stiffer muscles and joints, and even possibly aches and pains surfacing.

Now that some gyms are opening again, you may be ready to get right back to it. Please use some caution. A body at rest wants to stay at rest, even if your mind is raring to go. Your physical self needs some time to warm back up. Go slowly.

Do not go back in on day one and try to pick up right where you left off. Start out slow and light. Ease up to where you were over a one to two week period. Failing to do so can land you right back at home on the couch with an injury. Pulled muscles, strains, sprains, and just simply overusing unworked muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be the result of too hard too fast.

Be easy on yourself. This time off was not your doing or fault. We all collectively had to take a break. Begin by stretching! Then move on to starting out with slower speeds on machines like treadmills and stair masters at reduced levels and on free weights and nautilus machines it is best to start what feels like ridiculously light doing high reps and move up in weight from there reducing down to your normal sets.

Make sure to drink lots of water to properly hydrate, eat well, get the rest you need to recover after a workout, and if you have access consider the sauna or hot tub to ease sore muscles.

Before you start back getting a chiropractic adjustment to make sure you are in alignment is a fantastic idea. In order for your body mechanics to work at full function, you need to be in alignment. Building muscle while pulling weight wrong can cause more damage than good.

The office of Dr. Jason Kaster – Kaster Chiropractic and Associates welcomes you to schedule your pre-workout adjustment to make sure you are maximizing your gym time. Give us a call at 239-332-2555 or visit www.drkasters.com to learn more about us.

05.01.20
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Get a Healthier Spine with Chiropractic Care in Fort Myers, Florida

spine-health-fort-myers-florida-back-pain-neck-pain-dr-kaster-800x533

spine-health-fort-myers-florida-back-pain-neck-pain-dr-kaster-800x533Physical pain costs us a lot emotionally and monetarily.

Chronic pain takes over your every thought… conversely, if you have luckily never been in pain on an ongoing basis, it isn’t something you would likely think about or consider proactive treatment for… but you might just want to pause for a moment and consider…

You can achieve a healthier spine through chiropractic care.

A surprising 90% of the United States population may just be affected by a spine misalignment and accompanying back or neck pain at some point during their life. This includes those involved in accidents, those who lift heavy weight repeatedly or do repetitive motions for work or sport, those who are overweight, and smokers. With all of these high-risk categories, it’s a good idea to be supportive proactively of your spine health so that problems never develop.

How to maintain a healthy skeletal system

Manage your weight. It is far too easy to gain weight and not notice until you have packed on 20, 30 or more. Staying within 10 lbs of your ideal body weight is the most healthy option.  When we gain weight, our bodies distribute it evenly.  But if you picked up a 30 lb. weight and tried to carry it around for an hour you might get a better idea of what you are doing to your body. Every organ has to work harder. That means more wear and tear, especially on the spine.

Strength training. Muscle is the support for your spine. Lack of muscle tone makes it more likely you will pull things out of place and cause subluxations. subluxations lead to pain and if left untreated deterioration and even disease.

Eat healthy in reasonable portions. When dining out portions in the USA are not reasonable. Restaurants give you the most for your money. That can mean dishing out each customer a plate with 2 to 3 servings of food on it. Clean your plate is no longer solid advice. Stop eating when you are full and take leftovers home and eat them the next day as another meal. Your body and wallet will thank you.

Bend and stretch! Before you work out, always stretch. It helps to limit injury and contributes to physical fitness. This is one vital component that many people, even hardcore gym rats, forget. 

Quit Smoking. Smoking restricts blood flow to the entire body. Cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals none of which are good for your health. The sad fact is that smokers are actively slowing the body’s ability to heal. This includes your spine.

Sleep 7 to 9 hours per night and try and go to bed at the same time every night.

Pain while sleeping is not normal and needs to be corrected.

  • Side sleepers – reduce pressure on the spine by putting a pillow between your knees.
  • Back sleeping placed almost 50 pounds of additional pressure on the spine that can be reduced by 50% if a supportive pillow is placed under the knees.

Your Stance

Never lock your knees while standing. It places pressure on your lower back. Always keep knees slightly bent.

Pushing. Pick pushing over pulling. Use your leg muscles to avoid back strain.

Sitting (especially extended periods of time). Avoid slouching at all costs. Back straight, spine straight. Do not round your shoulders. Keep your knees slightly higher than hips. Head up and looking straight forward.

The Lift. Never lift with your back. Always engage the legs. Avoid twisting.


Carrying. Once you are at a carry, keep the object close to the body and use both hands to help distribute the weight.

Reaching and Bending. Bend your knees rather than at the waist. If something is above shoulder height, get a stool. Straining to reach high can cause neck, shoulder, and mid-back injury.

Adding these simple physical motion strategies can increase your odds of living a pain-free, healthy life!

If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to contact the office of Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. in Fort Myers, Florida. 239-332-2555.

12.27.19
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Florida’s No-fault Automobile Insurance Laws

Florida-no-fault-accident-pip-kaster-fort-myers

Florida-no-fault-accident-pip-kaster-fort-myersIn years since 2012, all drivers licensed in Florida have been required to carry what is known as PIP coverage. That stands for Personal Injury Protection.

This much-needed rider allows you to get the medical help you may need following an accident regardless of fault or if the other party has auto insurance.

Unlike some other states, there are time constraints within which you are able to seek treatment for accident-related injuries.

In Florida, you have just two weeks (14 days) after an accident to start treatment.  If you do visit a doctor’s office or emergency clinic during this time frame you automatically lose your ability to use your PIP coverage. 

If you are not taken by ambulance from the accident scene please follow up with your doctor and your chiropractor as soon as possible.

Every policy issued in Florida carries the full $10,000 worth of PIP coverage, even though, in some situations, you may only be entitled to $2500, a reduced benefit. To access the full amount you must receive a determination of emergency medical condition. Many insurance companies will argue with you that you do not have a serious condition. Restrictions have been unjustly placed which discriminate against chiropractic physicians. because of this, we have to refer you out to another health care provider simply to get that determination on file.

If your auto insurer stops payment after $2500 for the $10,000 in benefits for which you pay a premium for, you may continue to obtain treatment with our office under a letter of protection if you are represented by a lawyer and are filing a claim for recovery against the at-fault driver.

DID YOU KNOW?: You can install our mobile app on your smartphone! With just a push of a button, we will know you need medical assistance and get you in as soon as possible. http://drkasters.com/web-app-download/

If you are in an accident – don’t worry about the specifics right away. Call our office at 239-332-2555 and come in for a post-accident evaluation, treatment plan, and adjustments. Let’s get you on the road to health and we will file all the paperwork for you.

For More Information on PIP Laws in Florida:

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation can assist you if you experience a problem or have a complaint. You can submit a complaint online by going to their consumer services website at https://apps.fldfs.com/eservice.

Chiropractor | Nutritionist in Ft Myers, FL.

Fort Myers Chiropractor, Dr. Jason B. KasterChiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent it as soon as possible?

Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor, and nutritionist in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.

12.20.19
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Chiropractic Treatment May Relive Arthritis Pain

Chiropractor Arthritis-fort-myers-dr-kaster

Chiropractor Arthritis-fort-myers-dr-kasterPainful joints make even the most simple movements unbearable at times. In cool weather and rain, they ache even more when you have arthritis.

While there is no cure for arthritis, it has been shown that chiropractic adjustments can lessen the severity of the pain you experience making the condition easier to live with.

Chiropractic is an amazing modality.
No two patients can be treated in the exact same way.There are over 150 techniques that chiropractors employ to manually adjust the spine, muscles, and joints with varying degrees of gentle force. Which techniques are used is dependent on the condition(s) of the patient. 

Chiropractors focus on the correlation between structure and function, says Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. who has been in private practice in Fort Myers, Florida for over 17 years.

When a joint is out of alignment it can’t move as designed. The aim of treatment with our practice is to restore proper joint function. The freer the movement you have the better you will feel.

If you have neck or back pain because of osteoarthritis, chiropractic is one of the safest routes of therapy.

Your chiropractor may use manual spinal adjustments or manipulate soft tissue to help relieve tenderness and muscle spasms. You may also be asked to do traction which slowly stretches the joints to increase range of movement, as well as ultrasound, ice, and heat. At-home physical therapy exercises they may assign you can do wonders as well. 

 Please take note: If you have an inflammatory disease (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis) you need to be more careful and really talk with your doctor and listen to your body. If your medical doctor has told you that you have active swelling in your joints, chiropractic may not be the right path for you.

That doesn’t mean we can’t help. It just means we woud just need to take a different approach to the treatment for your case. A consultation is advisable to get you going on some alternative safe and effective therapies.

They may include:

Electrotherapy. These tiny electric pulses are not painful. They treat soft tissue injuries by stimulating nerves and muscles.

Low-level cold laser. This therapy uses a non-heat-producing laser or light that penetrates deep into the tissue, sometimes reducing inflammation.

Ultrasound. Many think of ultrasound as imaging technology, but when applied to soft tissues and joints, sound waves can also produce a massaging effect that helps reduce swelling and decrease pain and stiffness.

Infrared sauna. Imagine having a hot compress warm up your joints from the inside. These rooms use controlled amounts of heat to relieve pain and increase circulation.

Medical Doctors Agree

The American College of Physicians released updated guidelines in 2017. They now support the use of non-pharmacologic therapies. This includes chiropractic as well as acupuncture, as first-line treatment of pain, before medication.

If you are living with arthritis call the office of Dr. Kaster today. We would love to see how we can help you feel better and live well.

Chiropractor | Nutritionist in Ft Myers, FL.

Fort Myers Chiropractor, Dr. Jason B. KasterChiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent it as soon as possible?

Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor, and nutritionist in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.

239-332-2555

www.drkasters.com to learn more!

11.01.19
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Whiplash – The Most Common Car Accident Injury

whiplash-fort-myers-dr-kaster-auto-accident-injury-pip

whiplash-fort-myers-dr-kaster-auto-accident-injury-pipAre You Experiencing Neck Pain After an Auto Accident?

If following an auto crash you have neck pain it needs to be checked by a chiropractor to make sure you do not have whiplash. The injury known as whiplash happens when force is applied to your neck causing it to extend past the normal range of motion. The result is injured soft tissue in the neck – this can include tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Though it cannot be seen visibly on an X-ray it is a very real and painful injury.

Whiplash is the number one most common injury to happen in auto accidents. The amount of physical damage the car sustains may not directly correlate to the severity of the neck injury. Crashes at speeds as low as just 10-15 miles per hour can produce enough force to cause whiplash in automobile accident victims. The wearing of seatbelts did not cause a drastic difference in whether whiplash was sustained.

Though whiplash is primarily an auto accident injury it can also happen under other circumstances including contact sports, blows to the head due to a falling object or physical assault. Repetitive stress or strain involving the neck (such as holding the phone between your neck and chin) are also common, non-acute causes.

Treatment is essential to recovery. Get Whiplash Treatment As Soon As Possible 

( initiated in 24-72 hours is optimal)


At the office of Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C., Dr. Kaster has years of experience and specializes in whiplash and auto injury. The office also has onsite massage therapist Christine Wigglesworth, L.M.T. Together, they make a dynamic healing team achieving fast relief and long-term success.

Chiropractor | Nutritionist in Ft Myers, FL.

Fort Myers Chiropractor, Dr. Jason B. KasterChiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent it as soon as possible?

Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor, and nutritionist in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.

      SCHEDULE NOW!   239-332-2555