SERVICES
General Chiropractic Care
Our nerves are the information highway that make our bodies work. Nerves communicate messages from the brain, both conscious (lift my leg, pick up a book) and unconscious (breathe, heartbeat). We want the messages relayed in the most efficient way possible.
When the spine is misaligned it makes smaller pathways for the nerves to pass through. This creates static for the nervous systems messages, impeding communications with the body. This can escalate to pain and in certain instances, a loss of function. Regular chiropractic adjustments, help avoid nerve impingement.
Chiropractic care supports a myriad of conditions: migraines, back pain, sciatica, fibromyalgia, pinched nerves, weak immune system, flexibility, herniated discs, neck pain, stress/anxiety, scoliosis, tmj, athletic injury, arthritis, degenerative joints/spine, numbness/tingling in arms/hands, carpal tunnel syndrome, bells palsy, myofascial pain, accident injury, pregnancy, birth trauma... and so much more.
As part of a wellness plan, adjustments can play a key role in creating a system that functions at optimum levels. Whether seeking relief from pain or looking to sustain overall health and wellbeing, Cornerstone Chiropractic is here to help.
Prenatal & Postpartum Chiropractic Care
Many changes happen in a woman's body during pregnancy: the baby grows, takes up space, organs move, the pelvis changes shape, the spine can be compressed due to structural changes, additional weight is added to the body. As the pelvis shifts to make room for your baby, it can tighten facets (where nerves pass through bones), pinch nerves and cause pain.
It is important throughout pregnancy to be adjusted regularly, to support both mother and growing child. Optimal positioning of the skeletal structure reduces pain, encourages proper positioning in utero, and as you draw closer to delivery, can help the pelvis open, allowing for shorter and less painful deliveries. Post-partum, regular adjustments help the body shift back to normal position.
Chiropractic care supports both mothers and fathers post birth. Activities such as carrying children , playing, and all that comes with a growing family, can impact the skeletal and nervous systems, and be supported by regular chiropractic care.
On Dr. Shapiro and Pregnancy Chiropractic
Dr. George Shapiro has a special passion for working with pregnant families. He not only helps mothers stay well adjusted, but educates partners, siblings, making a visit to Cornerstone Chiropractic a special experience for all supporting your birth journey. Firmly believing the power that made the body heals the body, he is humbled by the miracle of new life and honored to play a part in your care.
With over 30 years experience and daily referrals from local obstetricians, midwives and doulas, Dr. Shapiro is the chiropractor of choice for the local birthing community. Expectant mother's fill Cornerstone Chiropractic, creating a warm welcoming environment. It is a unique and special place for mothers to connect. Hundreds of mothers are more than happy to offer referrals around the impact, expertise, and quality of his care. He also has two degrees in psychology.
Dr. Shapiro partners well with any birth plan, and understands the special needs and circumstances surrounding both home and hospital births. Offering extended office hours to adjust mothers in labor, he tries his best to accommodate the unpredictable timing of deliveries, to support you and your babies smooth arrival.
Below is helpful information from the American Pregnancy Association:
Safety of Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy
There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. Chiropractors are trained to work with the pregnant body. Some chiropractors take a specific interest in prenatal and postnatal care and seek additional training (such as Dr. Shapiro!).
Chiropractors who work with pregnancy use techniques that avoid unneeded pressure on the abdomen, and may also provide you with exercises and stretches safe to use during pregnancy.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy
During pregnancy, there are several physiological and endocrinological changes that occur in preparation for creating the environment for the developing baby.
Changes that can result in a misaligned spine or joints:
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Protruding abdomen and increased back curve
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Pelvic changes
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Postural adaptations
Establishing pelvic balance and alignment are important reasons to obtain chiropractic care during pregnancy. When the pelvis is misaligned it may reduce space available for the developing baby. This restriction is called intrauterine constraint.
A misaligned pelvis also makes it difficult for a baby to get into the best position for delivery. This may affect the mother’s ability to have a natural, non-invasive birth.
Breech and posterior positions can interfere with the natural ease of labor and lead to interventions such as C-sections.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can provide multiple benefits...
Benefits include:
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Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
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Reducing time of labor and delivery (Ask Dr. Shapiro the average delivery time of "his moms"!)
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Relieving back, neck or joint pain
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Preventing potential cesarean delivery
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Turning of breech babies
Chiropractic care for breech pregnancies/deliveries
Approximately 4% of all pregnancies result in a breech presentation. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported (2002), an 82% success rate of babies turning with the use of this technique. (ask Dr. Shapiro about his success rate in supporting breech babies turning!)
Currently, ICPA recommends women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy to establish pelvic balance and optimize the room a baby has for development. With a balanced pelvis, babies have a greater chance of moving into the correct birth position, and the crisis and worry associated with breech and posterior presentations may be avoided altogether.
Optimal baby positioning at the time of birth also eliminates the potential for dystocia (difficult labor) and, results in easier and safer deliveries for both the mother and baby.
Pediatric Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care benefits for infants and children
The first challenge a growing spine faces is the position it is forced to adopt in utero. Many fetal positions cause problems with labor: brow, breech, transverse, posterior, etc. These positions can also cause problems in the infant’s spine. The growing spine can be pushed out of place even in the womb.
If the fetal position is less than optimal, it can result in a longer and more difficult trip through the birth canal, compounding spinal problems. Even natural birthing methods can stress an infant’s spine and nervous system. Additional interventions such as induction, forceps, suction, or caesarean section, can impact the infant spine further.
Chiropractic care is an excellent natural modality for addressing common infant health issues. The cause of many newborn health complaints such as colic, reflux, breastfeeding difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions, and chronic infections can often be traced to nervous system irritation caused by spinal and cranial misalignments.
Many parents elect to have their newborn’s spine checked right after birth. Other developmental milestones such as holding up the head, sitting upright, crawling, and walking can also be impacted by spinal alignment.
As children grow, their bodies encounter many physical stresses. Resulting problems in their spines can occur at any point in their development. Falls, sports injuries, playground bumps, heavy school bags and sitting all day in the classroom are common physical stresses a growing spine and nervous system will encounter. Chiropractic care throughout a child's journey can alleviate pain and discomfort, support overall wellness and encourage the adoption of healthy self-care practices.
Personal Injury and Athletic Chiropractic Care
Personal Injury Chiropractic care
Cornerstone Chiropractic has been supporting injured patients for over 30 years. Be it a car or cycling accident, slip/fall, or other unexpected event, they are experts at not only getting you physically back on the road to recovery, but helping you navigate the often confusing processes (insurance, medpay, reporting, etc.) that add insult to injury.
Receiving timely post accident care is also critical to help mitigate possible long term health complications, address any trauma to the body, and support returning it to optimal positioning and health. If initial injuries go untreated, they can lead to additional health concerns in the future such as migraine headaches, early onset arthritic changes, and other adverse conditions.
A Consumer Reports study of 3,500 individuals with back pain found that nearly 90% had success with chiropractic care. This approach to post accident care can alleviate the need for prescription painkillers, and get you back to your routine faster.
Athletic Injuries and Chiropractic
Athletes of all types leverage chiropractic care as a natural way to support health and performance.
Chiropractic adjustments help ensure the body functions as efficiently as possible, which can maximize healing and recovery from injuries.
“I would estimate in excess of 90% of all world-class athletes use Chiropractic care to prevent injuries and increase performance potential.” - Sean Atkins, PhD, Exercise Physiologist
Vertebra are susceptible to stresses and forces, that may cause them to lose proper position. Athletic training and/or accidents can jar or misalign the spinal column. These misalignments, known as “vertebral subluxations,” cause nerve interference and weaken the spinal structure. Impact to legs, feet, head, shoulders or torso can often radiate pain to the spine. When the spine is in an optimal position, nerves are protected and communication between the central nervous system and the rest of the body is enhanced.
Chiropractic care ensures the spine is balanced and free of subluxations, restoring the body and nervous system to an optimal level of function, to maximize biomechanics (movement and posture), performance and healing potential.
Massage and Chiropractic Care
When used together, the compatible therapies of massage and chiropractic care extend the health and wellness benefits of each treatment, benefiting patients in numerous ways; relieving pain, restoring mobility, and increasing over all health.
Preparing Muscles for Chiropractic Care
Massage therapy manipulates soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It improves circulation and blood flow to warm soft tissues, causing them to loosen and relax. Therapeutic massage decreases muscle tension, stiffness, and promotes relaxation. Increasing circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients that stimulate healthy muscle function, promote healing, reduce pain, and can prevent future injuries.
Massage also helps dispose of lactic acid that accumulates in muscles, causing painful spasms and stiffness. In addition massage encourages relaxation, decreases aches and pains associated with stress, and leaves you feeling less tense and rejuvenated.
Chiropractic Care - Before or After?
Chiropractic care focuses on the nervous system and musculoskeletal dysfunction related to hard tissues such as the spine, bones, and joints. As hard tissues are surrounded by muscles, tendons, and ligaments, tight muscles can pull joints out of alignment. Warming, loosening, and relaxing the soft tissues with massage before a chiropractic adjustment can help structures adjust more easily.
Receiving chiropractic care either before or after a therapeutic massage increases the effectiveness of both treatments, promoting faster healing, and improving overall function.
Massage Services at Cornerstone Chiropractic
Cornerstone Chiropractic offers massage services by licensed professional massage therapists in conjunction with chiropractic care, or as a stand alone service. A wide variety of massage techniques are available to compliment individual patient needs and preferences.
To schedule your next massage, please call us! (626) 792-6133