Dr. Krieger's Health Tip of the Month

If it's good for my business it is bad for your health. The word doctor means teacher and it is a part of my job as your doctor to educate you about good health. I am often asked the question, what position should I sleep in? Should I sleep on my back, my side or my stomach? The correct answer is that you should sleep on your back or your side. Sleeping on your stomach is bad for your spine because it keeps your neck in extreme right or left rotation. This stretches ligaments and muscles on one side causing the related muscles and ligaments to become stretched out on one side. This causes a right to left imbalance. I always tell my patient's you can sleep on your stomach if you keep your head straight and breath thru your pillow. The resultant stretch of your muscles and ligaments in the neck will cause abnormal mechanics in the neck like a tire becoming out of balance. The deranged mechanics can cause pinching of the nearby nerves.

The best positions to sleep in are lying on your side or lying on your back. If you sleep on your side both your knees should be bent at about 45 degrees. Especially for women a pillow between your knees can make this position more comfortable. Do not sleep on your side with one leg straight and one leg bent as this can cause your pelvis and lower back to imbalance similar to what was described above. When sleeping on your side a pillow should fill in the gap between your head and the bed. While sleeping on your side you should be able to draw a straight line parallel to the floor between your nose and your belly-button. The other safe position to sleep in is lying on your back. Make sure your pillow is not to thick as to cause your head to be elevated. There are special pillows available which have humps which support the normal lordotic curve in your neck. We have several different ones available made of memory foam or ones you can fill with water. These special pillows do not help as much if you are a side sleeper. We do have one design which allows you to switch from side to back positions. If you were in a car accident these pillows are especially important as while you are sleeping and your body is repairing damaged muscles, ligaments and discs the normal lordotic curve is supported. This allows the damage tissues to heal in their intended shape and not stretched in the wrong direction. Chiropractic care can help patients who suffer injuries in a car accident. Common symptoms may include neck pain, headache, arm pain, lower back pain, mid back pain, numbness, stiff neck, fatigue and whiplash.

How many hours of sleep are optimal? A. 4 B. 6 C. 10 D. 8 E. I'll get all the sleep I need after I die

Happy Thanksgiving

The correct answer is D. 8

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Elect Krieger for Chiropractor

I want to be your Chiropractor. For some of you I already have the privilege of being your Chiropractor. I want to be the Chiropractor for your co-workers, friends and family. I am running on the platform that everyone deserves to be free of pinched nerves and pain. I am running on the platform that I can provide you with Chiropractic care which is drug and surgery free. I am a 1984 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. My current patients tell me that they love the fact that I develop an individualized treatment plan based on their unique needs. I have convenient office hours including Saturday mornings and Monday, Wednesday and Friday hours until 7 pm.

If you elect to come to our office I will provide you with Chiropractic adjustments, trigger point therapy, exercises and stretches to make your muscles work better, same day appointments if you are a new patient and caring service. If you elect me as your chiropractor I will try to help your body to remove nerve interference which will allow your lower back pain, sciatica, neck pain, arm pain, pinched nerves, mid back pain, whiplash, jaw pain, disc herniations and headaches to get better.

I am a member of the following parties( insurance companies) Blue Cross Blue Shield, Community Blue, Independent Health, Medicare, Worker's Comp, Univera and United Healthcare.

William L. Krieger DC

5225 Sheridan Dr.

Williamsville, NY 14221

Website: Kriegerchiropracticofwny.topchiro.com

IN PAIN CALL Dr. Krieger at 633-6044 or e-mail at docbillchiro@juno.com