Wertz Chiropractic

03/05/2026

What Is a Disc Bulge?

Many people hear the term “disc bulge” on an MRI report and immediately worry that something is seriously wrong with their spine. The good news is that many disc bulges can improve with the right care and movement strategies.

Your spine is made up of bones (vertebrae) separated by cushions called discs. These discs act like shock absorbers and allow your spine to move and bend.

A disc bulge happens when a disc pushes outward beyond its normal space. This can irritate nearby nerves and may cause symptoms such as:

✔ Low back pain
✔ Pain that travels into the buttock or leg
✔ Tingling or numbness
✔ Stiffness when bending or sitting

Common Causes

• Repetitive bending or lifting
• Poor posture
• Sports or work injuries
• Degenerative changes over time

How We Help Treat Disc Bulges

At Wertz Chiropractic, treatment may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments to restore spinal movement
• Targeted exercises to improve stability
• Posture and movement coaching
• Soft tissue work to reduce muscle tension
• Lifestyle recommendations to reduce stress on the spine

Most people improve with conservative care and proper rehabilitation.

If you’re dealing with back pain or have been told you have a disc bulge, we can help guide you through the right next steps.

📍 Wertz Chiropractic
🌐 www.wertzchiro.com

📞 Call today to schedule an evaluation

03/03/2026

The Different Types of Back Pain — And What Might Be Causing Yours

Not all back pain is the same.

Understanding what type of back pain you’re dealing with is the first step toward getting the right treatment.

Here are some of the most common types we see at Wertz Chiropractic:

🔹 Muscle Strain
Often caused by lifting, twisting, overuse, or poor posture. Usually feels tight, achy, and sore.

🔹 Herniated or Bulging Disc
Can cause sharp pain, numbness, or tingling — sometimes traveling into the leg (sciatica).

🔹 Arthritis
More common as we age. Often causes stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting.

🔹 Sciatica
Radiating pain from the low back into the buttock or down the leg due to nerve irritation.

Common Causes of Back Pain:

✔ Poor posture (especially desk work)
✔ Heavy lifting
✔ Sports injuries
✔ Repetitive movements
✔ Degeneration over time

The good news? Most back pain responds very well to the right combination of chiropractic care, movement guidance, and strengthening.

If you're experiencing back pain — don’t ignore it and hope it goes away.

We can help.

📍 Wertz Chiropractic – Champaign, IL
🌐 www.wertzchiro.com

📞 Call today to schedule an evaluation

02/24/2026

Back Pain at Work? Your Desk ERGONOMICS Might Be the Problem.

If you spend 6–8 hours a day at a desk, your back is working overtime — even when you’re sitting still.

The good news? A few small ergonomic changes can make a BIG difference.

✅ Keep your feet flat on the floor
✅ Knees level with or slightly below your hips
✅ Screen at eye level (no looking down!)
✅ Shoulders relaxed, elbows at 90°
✅ Take a standing/stretch break every 30–60 minutes

Poor posture + long sitting hours = tight muscles, spinal stress, and chronic back pain.

If you’re dealing with stiffness, tension, or ongoing discomfort, don’t ignore it. Your body is asking for help.

At Wertz Chiropractic, we help correct the root cause — not just mask the symptoms.

Schedule your visit today:
🌐 www.wertzchiro.com

Your spine was built to move — let’s keep it that way.

02/19/2026

Are You Supporting Your Neck the Right Way at Night?

If you’re a side sleeper, your pillow can either protect your neck… or stress it for 7–8 hours straight.

At Wertz Chiropractic, We are now selling the ALIGNAPILLOW.
My favorite thing about this pillow is that it is Adjustable to fit YOU perfectly! There are 4 layers of foam that you can mix and match to get the perfect fit and support.

It is specifically designed to:

✅ Keep your cervical spine in a neutral position
✅ Fill the space between your head and shoulder
✅ Reduce morning neck pain and stiffness
✅ Improve sleep quality and recovery

When your neck is properly supported, the muscles can relax instead of working all night to hold your head up. That means less tension, fewer headaches, and better overall spinal alignment.

If you wake up with:
• Neck stiffness
• Shoulder tightness
• Headaches
• Numbness/tingling into the arm

Your pillow may be the problem.

At Wertz Chiropractic, we help patients optimize not just their adjustments — but their sleep posture too.

Have questions about whether your pillow is right for you? Send us a message or stop by the office.

📍 Champaign, IL
🌐 www.wertzchiro.com

02/17/2026

At-Home Exercises to Help with Sciatica

Sciatica can feel like sharp, burning, or tingling pain that travels from your low back into your hip or down your leg. The good news? The right movement can help calm it down.

Here are 4 simple exercises you can try at home:

✅ 1. Prone Press-Ups (Extension Bias)
Lie on your stomach and gently press your upper body up while keeping hips on the floor.
→ Helps reduce disc pressure in many cases.

✅ 2. Piriformis Stretch
Cross one ankle over the opposite knee and gently pull the leg toward you.
→ Helpful when the sciatic nerve is irritated by tight glutes.

✅ 3. Standing Lumbar Extensions
Hands on hips, gently lean backward.
→ Great if sitting makes symptoms worse.

✅ 4. Nerve Glides (Flossing)
Seated tall, extend your leg while flexing your foot, then relax.
→ Promotes nerve mobility without overstretching.

⚠️ Important: If pain travels further down the leg or increases, stop and get evaluated. Sciatica is NOT one-size-fits-all.

At Wertz Chiropractic, we identify the true cause of your sciatic pain and create a personalized plan to get you moving comfortably again.

📍 Champaign, IL
🌐 www.wertzchiro.com

📞 (217) 352-9108

If you’re dealing with sciatica, send us a message — we’re here to help.

02/10/2026

Chiropractic Care for Athletes: Enhance Performance & Relieve Back Pain

Athletes push their bodies hard—and when the spine and joints aren’t moving well, performance suffers.

Chiropractic care helps athletes:
✔️ Improve spinal and joint mobility *which helps prevent injury*
✔️ Reduce back pain and stiffness
✔️ Enhance nervous system function
✔️ Recover faster between workouts and competitions
✔️ Move more efficiently and with better control

Whether you’re a runner, lifter, weekend warrior, or competitive athlete, keeping your body aligned and functioning optimally can make a real difference in how you perform and how you feel.

If back pain, stiffness, or nagging injuries are holding you back, chiropractic care may help you stay active and performing at your best.

📍 Wertz Chiropractic
🌐 www.wertzchiro.com

📞 Call or message us to schedule an evaluation

02/03/2026

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people miss work, skip workouts, or struggle with daily activities. The good news? Many causes of back pain respond extremely well to chiropractic care.

🔹 Common causes we see every day:
• Prolonged sitting and poor posture
• Muscle strains from lifting or overuse
• Joint restrictions or spinal misalignment
• Disc irritation or degeneration
• Stress and muscle tension

🔹 How chiropractic care helps:
✔️ Restores proper joint motion
✔️ Reduces nerve irritation
✔️ Decreases muscle tension and stiffness
✔️ Improves posture and movement patterns
✔️ Helps prevent future flare-ups

Whether your back pain started suddenly or has been lingering for years, addressing the underlying cause—not just the symptoms—can make a huge difference.

📍 Wertz Chiropractic
🌐 www.wertzchiro.com

📞 Call or message us to schedule an evaluation

01/29/2026

Managing Sciatica Pain with Chiropractic Care

Sciatica pain can be frustrating—shooting pain, tingling, or numbness that travels from the low back down the leg can make everyday activities tough.

The good news? Many cases of sciatica respond extremely well to chiropractic treatment.

✔️ Gentle, targeted spinal adjustments can reduce nerve irritation
✔️ Care helps restore proper motion and alignment
✔️ Reduces inflammation and muscle tension around the sciatic nerve
✔️ Improves function so you can move with confidence again

If sciatica is slowing you down, don’t ignore it. Early care often means faster relief and better long-term results.

📞 Call or message Wertz Chiropractic today to see if chiropractic care is right for your sciatica.
🌐 www.wertzchiro.com

01/27/2026

Back Pain in Athletes:

Whether you’re a runner, golfer, weekend warrior, or high school athlete, back pain can sneak up fast and derail your training.

Common causes we see in athletes include:
• Poor lifting mechanics
• Muscle imbalances and core weakness
• Repetitive strain
• Sudden increases in training intensity

The good news? Most sports-related back pain is preventable and very treatable.

At Wertz Chiropractic, we focus on:
✔️ Identifying faulty movement patterns
✔️ Improving mobility and core stability
✔️ Keeping you training safely and performing at your best

If back pain is limiting your sport or workouts, don’t wait until it becomes a bigger problem.

📍 Wertz Chiropractic – helping athletes stay in the game.

01/25/2026

Shoveling Snow Without Hurting Your Back ❄️🧊

Snow shoveling is one of the most common triggers for low back injuries we see this time of year. The good news? A few simple technique changes can dramatically reduce your risk.

Protect your low back by following these tips:
✔️ Warm up first – a short walk or gentle stretches go a long way
✔️ Use your legs, not your back – squat slightly and keep your chest upright
✔️ Keep the shovel close to your body
✔️ Avoid twisting – step and turn with your feet instead
✔️ Take smaller scoops rather than heavy loads
✔️ Push the snow when possible instead of lifting
✔️ Take breaks – fatigue leads to poor form and injury

If your back feels sore, tight, or painful after shoveling, don’t ignore it—early care can prevent a small issue from turning into a bigger one.

Stay safe out there, and shovel smart!
👉 Learn more at www.wertzchiro.com

— Dr. Mark Wertz
Wertz Chiropractic

Discover gentle, effective chiropractic care in Champaign, IL. Wertz Chiropractic helps you feel better, move better, and live better with personalized, honest care

01/20/2026

What Do Chiropractors Do to Treat Back Pain?

Back pain isn’t just about where it hurts — it’s about why it hurts.

At Wertz Chiropractic, chiropractic care focuses on identifying and correcting the underlying causes of back pain, not just masking symptoms.

Here’s what chiropractors commonly do to help relieve back pain:

✔️ Spinal adjustments to improve joint motion and reduce nerve irritation
✔️ Postural and movement assessment to address mechanical stress
✔️ Soft tissue techniques to reduce muscle tension and improve flexibility
✔️ Corrective exercises and stretches to support long-term stability
✔️ Lifestyle and ergonomic guidance to help prevent recurrence

Whether your pain started suddenly or has been lingering for months, chiropractic care is designed to help your body move, heal, and function better.

📍 Located in Champaign, IL
🌐 Learn more or schedule online:
👉 www.wertzchiro.com

Discover gentle, effective chiropractic care in Champaign, IL. Wertz Chiropractic helps you feel better, move better, and live better with personalized, honest care

01/15/2026

Dr. Blake Lehmann has officially joined our team at Wertz Chiropractic!!

Blake Lehmann was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. Growing up he participated in a variety of sports where he developed an early interest in human movement and performance. After graduating with a degree in Psychology from DePauw University, he went on to coach swimming at the collegiate level before pursuing his Doctor of Chiropractic.

He received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan University where he was valedictorian of his class. In addition to his chiropractic training, Blake is certified through the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). His focus is utilizing evidence-based chiropractic care with a strong foundation in exercise science and rehabilitation.

His passion lies in helping patients optimize movement, prevent injury, and achieve lasting wellness.

Blake is accepting new patients and is eager to help you get started on your journey back to being pain free and functioning better.