Blog Archive

Climbing onto a massage table can sound uncomfortable when you’re pregnant, especially if you’ve already developed a baby bump. However, being pregnant doesn’t disqualify you from massages; in fact, they have unique benefits for expecting mothers.  As long as you find a provider with proper experience, there’s much to gain...

There are plenty of stories about athletes burning out their bodies for the sake of their sport, but these don’t show the aftermath of what it’s like to live with chronic pain. If you want to preserve your health and maintain fitness as you age, you need to be conscious...

Acute injuries or chronic pain can be hard to address, especially when they affect soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These parts of the body receive low blood flow and stimulation, making them difficult to treat and slow to heal. Shockwave therapy involves a device that sends vibrations through...

Resolving to go to the gym and eat better in the new year has become a cliche at this point, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you want to lose weight and improve your lifestyle, there’s no better time than now. A new year is the perfect time to...

Deterioration of your spinal health can leave you in pain, depressed, and frustrated that you can’t easily do everyday tasks or have to give up sports or hobbies you enjoy.  While rest, physical therapy, and rehabilitative workouts can all help increase your flexibility and reduce tension in your back, sometimes...

A stiff or sore neck might not seem like a big deal at first, but it can gradually become more than a pain in the neck. Poor posture and screen time are often to blame, but sometimes the issue goes deeper than that.  Whether your pain seems rooted in muscle...

Nerve pain can be the sharpest and most debilitating, which can make sciatica a considerable problem. If your sciatica doesn’t resolve after bed rest and home remedies, it might be time to consult a specialist and discuss your treatment options.  With physiotherapy, you can receive hands-on care tailored to your...

If you work a desk job, you might be familiar with the neck pain that comes with using a computer for hours every day. Working from home with a laptop can make matters worse, especially if you’re sitting in bed or on a couch. If persistent neck pain hinders your...

It’s been established that 1 pound of weight equals 4 pounds of pressure on the knees, but this only scratches the surface.  Excess weight puts pressure on all of your joints, especially the ones in your lumbar spine. That can increase your risk of lower back injury, including herniated discs and osteoarthritis. ...

Plenty of people stress the importance of good posture but don’t quite explain the lasting damage that poor posture can have. Muscle aches and stiffness are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to postural problems. Failing to sit and stand properly can lead to chronic neck and...

Most cases of scoliosis are diagnosed during adolescence. Early diagnosis and intervention allow doctors to correct the issue as much as possible before the spine finishes developing into its abnormal shape. Treatment can involve bracing, surgery, and physiotherapy.  Here at Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian, Idaho, we...

Weight is why the diet pill and exercise equipment industries make billions every year. Social media and advertising almost seem designed to make us feel bad about our bodies. There’s always someone ready to say they think you weigh too much or too little.  Here at Advantage Spinal Dynamics &...

Burning, tingling, numbness, weakness. All of these are symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, a condition that affects neural feedback to the spinal cord and brain. Instead of notifying you about damage or injury, your nerves may send pain signals for seemingly no reason or make you feel numbness or a buzzing...

Up to 40% of people experience sciatica at some point in their lives, which is why it’s important to be aware of the symptoms.  During pregnancy, the body undergoes many changes to help support the weight and needs of the baby. However, this can also put pressure on the sciatic...

An estimated 1 in 10 adults suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in their lifetime. CTS is a common form of entrapment neuropathy, which happens when peripheral nerves are compressed in a narrow space, such as the tunnel running through the center of your wrist. This compression can cause pain,...

No matter what self-styled “health experts” may say, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss. No magical “keto” shake or “can’t fail” exercise routine provides dependable results for every person. Here at Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian, Idaho, our approach includes weight loss support that helps you...

Massages are often thought of as a luxury, but massage therapy can be medicinal as well. Medical massage therapy is a wonderful option for people who prefer to try holistic, non-pharmaceutical options first for issues like sleeplessness. At Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian, Idaho, our team of experienced medical practitioners can...

Alcoholism can lead to a host of problems affecting your physical and mental health. It can also negatively impact your personal and professional lives, damaging relationships with those around you.  What you may not know is that alcoholism can lead to a chronic and permanent nerve condition known as neuropathy....

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a noninvasive, safe, and effective treatment option for soft tissue injuries that haven’t responded to more traditional therapies. For some patients, ESWT can be an alternative to living with limited mobility or undergoing surgery. At Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian, Idaho,...

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is commonly caused by aging, although genetics and trauma to the spine can contribute. Around 40% of people at age 40 have some DDD, increasing to 80% by age 80. At Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian, Idaho, our team of experienced medical practitioners...

Massages have long been seen as a luxury enjoyed by the wealthy, but they’re now gaining ground in the health and wellness world. They aren’t just great for stress relief: A medical massage can do wonders for issues with your spine, joints, muscles, and stress levels. At Advantage Spinal Dynamics &...

Your metabolism includes all of the chemical reactions in your body, but most people use this word to refer to their metabolic rate, or the speed at which you burn calories.  Boosting your metabolic rate not only helps you lose weight but keep it off as well. If you’re trying...

Sciatica is pain from the sciatic nerve, which runs from the back down each leg. Pressure on this nerve causes radiating pain that can make it difficult to walk, sit, or even lie down comfortably.  Whether you’re experiencing sciatica pain for the first or 50th time, consulting with a specialist...

Treating injuries and chronic conditions often requires a multipronged approach. Medications and treatments can provide relief, while specialized therapies encourage healing and alleviate symptoms.  Whether you’re trying to recover from an injury or manage an ongoing condition, physiotherapy can provide another noninvasive solution.  At Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian,...

Only around 0.3% of people get whiplash every year, but that’s approximately 1 million people with serious neck injuries from falls, sports injuries, and accidents. Neck pain caused by whiplash can last for months or years beyond the initial acute injury. Here at Advantage Spinal Dynamics in Meridian, Idaho, Dr. Jamie Ricks and the...

Shockwave therapy is making waves in the sports medicine field, quickly becoming a frontline treatment for tendinopathy.  Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is not only noninvasive, but it can also deliver safe and effective results within a few sessions. If you have a soft tissue injury that’s not responding to...

There’s a reason massages feel calming and pleasant, and it’s because they’re good for your body. A professional massage can loosen your muscles and encourage blood flow, relieving pain and reducing fatigue.  If you regularly suffer pain caused by muscle aches, massage therapy can be an excellent addition to your...

Weight loss can be the elephant in the room no one wants to really talk about beyond what new shake everyone is trying or which app is all the rage. However, weight can be a serious health concern and taking weight loss seriously could save your life. Here at Advantage...

Many of us don’t think about the well-being of our back until something happens, whether that’s a pulled muscle or a herniated disc.  It only takes one injury to leave you bedridden for days, so prevention is the best strategy when it comes to back pain. Proper posture while sitting,...

Lower back pain is all too common among Americans, and it should never be ignored. Back pain is a sign of a spine problem, and left untreated, you could end up with a serious injury and even lose feeling or function in one or both legs.  At Advantage Spinal Dynamics...

Struggling to resume normal life after an accident? Physical therapy, rest, and time can only do so much for the human body. If you feel like you’re out of options, it might be time to approach the problem from another angle.  An experienced chiropractic biophysics (CBP) practitioner can evaluate your...

Poor posture, injuries, overuse, and stress can all cause trigger points in your muscles, more commonly known as knots. A trigger point massage targets these sore spots, reducing tension and alleviating pain.  The best part? Regular trigger point massages can keep these knots at bay and help you feel stronger,...

Back pain during pregnancy is a common complaint, and the discomfort is almost always temporary. However, that doesn’t make trying to stand, walk, and sleep while in pain any easier.  If you’re struggling to function because of back pain, you might be better off talking to a spinal expert than...

Nearly 65 million people have reported a recent episode of back pain, and chronic back problems are a leading cause of disability.  Many people recover from herniated discs every year, but healing can take time. If you’ve recently slipped a disc, having a spinal specialist on your side can pave...

Nearly 1 in 25 Americans suffers from gout. A family history of the disease significantly increases your chances of developing this form of intractable arthritis, which can be painful and debilitating.  Getting a diagnosis can help you find a treatment plan that works for you, and lifestyle changes can help...

Your spine is the core structure of your body. When things go wrong with the spine, it can lead to a number of issues, including back pain, daily discomfort, and even migraines. Getting your spine aligned can help prevent problems and improve your life in a variety of ways.  If...

It can be difficult to be sure of any diagnosis without medical advice and professional screening. However, sciatica does come with a few telltale symptoms that can help you identify this common, painful condition.  If you’re experiencing an unexpected, sharp pain in your hip and buttocks and down the back...

Embarking on a weight loss journey is a big decision, but you’re setting yourself up for failure if you do everything alone or rely on fad diet and exercise plans. If you want to lose weight for good, teaming up with a specialist can give you the tools to shed...

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious health condition that’s called a “silent killer” because it may present no immediate symptoms while it’s putting you at risk of serious health problems with your heart, kidneys, brain, and other systems.  While you may think your only treatment option for hypertension...

Your bladder and urinary system are controlled by nerves that send signals to and from the brain. If you suffer from neuropathy with urinary symptoms, your nerves may fail to communicate properly between your brain and bladder, causing a variety of urinary problems.  At Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine...

Deep tissue massage offers many of the same relaxation benefits of regular massage, but there are additional health benefits as well. By applying firm, slow pressure to your body, massage therapists can help ease muscle tension, alleviate pain, and reduce stress.  Here at Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in...

Whether it’s shooting pain, sudden numbness, tingling, or a dull throbbing, pain in your limbs, hands, and feet can be debilitating and disruptive. Beyond keeping you from working and living normally, this pain can be a sign of serious underlying problems.  At Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian,...

Neuropathy refers to nerve injuries in your peripheral nervous system that can cause pain, discomfort, and reduced sensation. Normally, your nerves send pain signals to your brain to warn you about illness and injury in your body. With neuropathy, nerves themselves are damaged, sending out pain signals at random. Here...

Your knees are one of the most important joints in your body and subject to some of the worst wear-and-tear. Because they’re so important to your ability to function every day, it can be debilitating when you have a knee injury or aching joints.  Luckily, Dr. Jamie Ricks and our...

A relaxing massage can be a great stress reliever, but it can also help improve your muscle health. By gently stimulating the muscles, massages can effectively treat a number of common musculoskeletal conditions.  That’s why our team at Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian, Idaho, includes two experienced...

Summer is a great time to focus on making healthy lifestyle changes. With warmer weather comes more opportunities for outdoor activities, sports, and exercise. However, it can be hard to make healthy changes that stick.  If you’ve struggled to lose weight on your own, a medically supervised weight loss program...

Are you suffering from joint pain and wondering if pills or surgery is your only option for a life without pain? Dr. Jamie Ricks and our team at Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian, Idaho, can offer an alternative, natural approach to combating your joint pain.  We offer...

You’ve been in a car accident. Your car may have suffered some minor damage, but you think you feel okay. You may not even realize it, but you could’ve suffered whiplash, an injury that affects 3 million Americans per year. But you might not notice the symptoms until later. At...

Two-thirds of the population is going to experience neck pain at some point in life. It’s a common condition and it has a variety of causes. Everything from arthritis to whiplash can cause neck pain. And recently, we’ve noticed an uptick in something called “tech neck,” a condition in which...

A staggering 80% of people experience lower back pain at some point in their lifetimes. It makes sense then that back pain is one of the most common health complaints.  At Advantage Spinal Dynamics in Meridian, Idaho, we’re experts at treating back pain. We provide a variety of treatment options...

Degenerative disc disease isn’t actually a disease. It’s a condition that occurs naturally as you age. Most people who have problems with their discs are between 35-55 years of age and are mostly women as opposed to men. Although researchers haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact reason for this,...

Whether you’ve been rocking a sleeping baby you can’t bear to put down, sitting cross-legged, or sleeping on one side without moving, you’ve likely felt the telltale signs of a “sleeping” limb. First, you feel the dead weight and numbness. Then, as blood begins to flow back to your nerves...

Maintaining a healthy weight can be uncomfortable and frustrating, but the results of being obese can be much more devastating. While it’s well known that obesity increases your risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, carrying extra body weight also increases the likelihood that you’ll develop joint...

As if wrinkles, lines, and other inevitable physical changes that come with age weren’t enough, do you have to succumb to back pain, too? Absolutely not! Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you have to sit on the sidelines of your favorite activities or have difficulty in everyday life....

Fibromyalgia is a constant battle. Symptoms can flare without warning, and they can impact your quality of life. Learning to manage your symptoms is the key to improving your health and wellness.  Our team at Advantage Spinal Dynamics understands the difficulties associated with fibromyalgia, so we put together this blog...

You know a migraine when it hits. During the active phase, your head throbs, usually on one side. You may get dizzy, nauseous, or vomit. Even the slightest noise and the dimmest light can be exceedingly painful. One way to treat migraines is to visit the team of highly trained...

As society moves through the digital age, it’s no secret that the time Americans spend on gadgets has increased considerably. Notification bubbles and chimes from phones also distract you from the strain you put on your neck muscles. Continually looking down at your phone adds an incredible amount of weight...

Do you ever feel like the signal from your brain to your hand is broken? Your nervous system is a magnificent network of communication that constantly fires signals between your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and all other parts of your body. These signals range from sensory information,...

Few things can hijack your life the way sciatica does, rendering even the simplest tasks, like putting on shoes, into teeth-gritting affairs. While you might think that there’s little you can do about the pain except to let it run its inevitable course, there are some steps you can take...

Sometimes it doesn’t matter how fast you’re going at the time of an automobile collision. The energy transferred to your body combined with human physiology can cause serious injury even from a minor fender bender. The usual resulting injury is whiplash, which isn’t a specific type of damage, but rather...

Nerves damaged by injury or disease can cause tingling, numbness, pain, and dysfunction. Conditions like diabetes, infections, vitamin deficiencies, and autoimmune disorders can result in neuropathy that progresses to a point of unbearable pain or where you lose balance or the ability to walk. Medications and some lifestyle changes can...

Not too long ago, spas and fancy sports clubs were the only places you could get a massage. But research shows that massage therapy isn’t just a luxury item; it also offers many health benefits. In fact, here at Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian, Idaho, we recommend...

Behind saving money, losing weight and getting in shape is the second most common New Year’s resolution Americans make at the beginning of the year. While making a New Year’s resolution is an excellent way to initiate positive change, statistics show that 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February....

Anyone who is a spouse, caregiver, friend or family member to someone with fibromyalgia may feel uncertain as to how to provide both emotional or physical support. Spinal Dynamics, which provides excellent medical help for individuals experiencing this chronic pain condition, offers the following five tips for successfully advocating for...

Unfortunately, many of these same people will choose not to seek treatment for their pain. Ignoring back pain is rarely a good idea, though.   Major signs you should seek chiropractic treatment Persistent Back Pain If you've been experiencing lower back pain for a week or more and home treatments,...

Definition and Causes Rheumatoid arthritis — commonly referred to as RA — is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes inflammation in the lining of the joints, resulting in pain and swelling. RA is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body's immune system turns on itself to...

Considering these statistics, disease prevention is of paramount importance. While genetics and age play key roles in a heightened risk of arthritis, there are other factors that can be used to limit the probability of the onset of this disease.   Preventative Choices Two the most important preventative lifestyle choices...

 This common condition is caused by compression or constriction — in some cases, it can even be caused by stretching — and is characterized by numbness, tingling, a burning sensation, or pain that radiates outward from the affected area. Patients who suffer from pinched nerves often say that it feels...

Many people may consider these as two separate issues, but in reality, there many things that link the two to one another. Neck pain can be a major contributor to migraine and chronic headaches, and there are many different ways that neck pain can come about.   How is Neck...

 In fact, if a patient frequently experiences any symptoms related to the muscles, a massage before an adjustment will lead to better results. Equally beneficial, having a massage after your adjustment can help your body keep the adjustment more efficiently. Many times a tight or strained muscle will interfere with...

When the cushions bulge or tear, problems will ensue. Patients may feel tingling in their fingertips, numbness, or pain in their extremities. The pain can range from mild and uncomfortable to severe and paralyzing pain. However, surgery is not always the answer.   Spinal Decompression To relieve pain and allow...

Pain Caused by Whiplash Spine injuries in car accidents are often hard to spot and symptoms from whiplash may not show up until hours or days later. Over 36 percent of spinal cord injuries are caused by car accidents. Whiplash causes tiny tears in the muscles and ligaments around the spine that...

The chiropractors with Spinal Dynamics in Meridian, Idaho utilize a unique therapy known as “Class 4 Laser Therapy.” Using this treatment offers exceptional abilities to help heal tissues and reduce pain in their patients.   What Can the Class 4 Laser Do For Me? The Class 4 laser is uncommon...