Rulli Chiropractic Clinic

11/12/2025

Understanding Medical Acupuncture

Medical acupuncture is a physician-guided approach that uses very fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body. The precise insertion of the needles stimulates the nervous system, improves circulation, and promotes natural healing.

But how does your doctor know WHERE to place the needles?
That’s where training and clinical reasoning come in. A physician trained in medical acupuncture evaluates your condition through a biomedical lens—considering your diagnosis, pain patterns, muscle tension, and nerve pathways. They then select acupuncture points that correspond to your symptoms and underlying physiology.

Think of it like rebooting your body’s internal communication system. The right input at the right point can help restore balance, reduce pain, and support recovery.

11/10/2025

What Is a Subluxation?
In chiropractic care, a subluxation refers to a joint—often in the spine—that has lost its normal alignment or movement. This subtle shift can disrupt how your nervous system communicates with the rest of your body.

Why does it matter? How does it feel to have a subluxation?
Your spine houses and protects your spinal cord. When a vertebra isn’t moving properly, it can irritate nearby nerves, muscles, and connective tissues—leading to a variety of symptoms.
• A dull ache or sharp twinge in your back or neck
• Stiffness or reduced range of motion
• Muscle tightness or spasms
• Numbness, tingling, or referred pain in arms or legs
• A sense that something’s “off” or not moving right

Think of a subluxation like a misaligned gear in a machine. It may still run, but with friction, inefficiency, and wear over time.

Chiropractic adjustments aim to restore proper motion and alignment—helping your body move, feel, and function better.

11/06/2025

Fall Prevention Tips for All Ages

Falls can happen to anyone—but most are preventable with a few smart habits:
- Clear clutter, cords, and loose rugs from walkways
- Use night lights in hallways and bathrooms
- Strengthen legs with simple exercises like chair squats, heel raises, and sit-to-stand drills
- Review medications that may affect balance
- Wear supportive, non-slip footwear indoors and out
- Keep vision sharp—schedule regular eye exams
- Install grab bars in bathrooms and handrails on stairs
- Avoid multitasking while walking (especially with phones!)
- Stay hydrated—dehydration can cause dizziness
- Practice balance drills like standing on one foot or gentle tai chi

Try this: Sit tall in a sturdy chair. Cross your arms over your chest. Stand up slowly without using your hands, then sit back down with control. Repeat 10 times. It’s simple, safe, and powerful.

Let’s stay upright and active this season! 🍁

11/05/2025

Why is it called Rotator Cuff?
The term “rotator cuff” is both anatomical and metaphorical:
• The “rotator” part comes from the muscles’ role in rotating the shoulder—especially internal and external rotation.
• The “cuff” refers to how the tendons of these four muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) wrap around the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) like a sleeve or cuff, stabilizing the shoulder joint.

Imagine a snug-fitting jacket cuff that keeps your wrist aligned—that’s what these tendons do for your shoulder.

10/31/2025

10/29/2025

Hyperlordosis—aka swayback—is when your lower spine curves too much, like a banana instead of a gentle arch. It can cause tight hips, weak glutes, and nagging low back pain.

Think of your spine like a suspension bridge: too much curve throws off the tension and stability.
👐 Chiropractic care helps by:
• Realigning the spine for better posture
• Releasing tight hip flexors and back muscles
• Strengthening underactive core and glute muscles
• Teaching posture-friendly movement strategies

10/27/2025

Let's talk about Muscle Spasms

What are they?
A muscle spasm is your body’s version of a red alert —a sudden, involuntary tightening of muscle fibers, often around the spine. It’s not random. It’s a protective reflex triggered when your body senses instability, irritation, or overload.

Why do they happen?
Spasms often occur when spinal joints are stiff, misaligned, or inflamed. The surrounding muscles tighten to guard the area—like bodyguards jumping in to prevent further harm. Poor posture, repetitive strain, or even emotional stress can tip the balance.

How can chiropractic help?
Chiropractic care addresses the root cause—not just the symptom. Gentle adjustments restore motion to restricted joints, calm irritated nerves, and help muscles relax naturally. It’s like resetting the system so your body no longer feels the need to stay on high alert.

If your back or neck feels “locked up,” it’s not just a muscle problem—it’s a message. Chiropractic care helps decode it and restore balance.

10/23/2025

Desk Job Survival Kit: Save Your Spine, One Habit at a Time

Sitting isn’t evil—but sitting poorly for hours? That’s a recipe for stiffness, pain, and postural fatigue.

Here’s your survival kit for long workdays:
🧍‍♂️ Posture Reset
Sit tall like you’re balancing a book on your head. Ears over shoulders, shoulders over hips. No slouching into the screen!
⏱️ Micro-Breaks Matter
Set a timer: every 30–45 minutes, stand up, stretch, or walk a lap. Motion is lotion for your joints.
🪑 Ergo Check
Feet flat, knees at 90°, screen at eye level. Your chair should support—not sabotage—your spine.
💧 Hydration = Circulation
Water keeps tissues supple and gives you a reason to get up and refill.
🧘‍♀️ Desk Stretches
Try shoulder rolls, neck glides, and gentle seated cat-cow stretches. Just 2 minutes can reboot your posture.

10/21/2025

Grocery lifting tip of the day: Protect your back while bringing in the bags!

Don’t let a sack of sweet potatoes sabotage your spine. Here’s how to lift smart:
• Bend your knees, not your back. Squat down like you're sitting into a chair.
• Keep bags close to your body. The farther they are, the heavier they feel.
• Use both hands. Balance the load to avoid twisting.
• Avoid the “car trunk twist.” Turn your whole body, not just your waist.
• Make multiple trips. Your back will thank you more than your pride will.

Stay strong and lift smart!

10/15/2025

Myth: All back pain is sciatica.

Truth: Sciatica is a specific type of nerve-related pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve—often radiating from the low back into the buttock, thigh, or leg. Not all back pain involves nerve irritation. Muscle strain, joint dysfunction, and postural stress can cause back pain without touching the sciatic nerve.

Think of it like this:
• Sciatica is a road trip—nerve pain traveling down a defined path.
• General back pain is more like local traffic—aches and tension that stay in the neighborhood.
Knowing the difference helps guide the right treatment. Chiropractic care tailors the approach based on the type of pain, not just the location.

10/13/2025

Ever wonder how your body keeps you upright—even when the ground gets wobbly?

Your balance is a team effort between your brain, inner ear, eyes, and muscles. The vestibular system in your inner ear acts like a gyroscope, your eyes provide spatial cues, and your muscles (especially in your core and legs) make constant micro-adjustments to keep you steady.

Want to strengthen your balance? Try bird dog exercises.
Bird Dog Exercise: Step-by-Step
1. Start on all fours
• Knees under hips
• Hands under shoulders
• Keep your back flat like a tabletop
2. Engage your core
• Gently pull your belly button toward your spine
• Keep your neck long and gaze down
3. Lift opposite arm and leg
• Reach your right arm forward
• Extend your left leg straight back
• Keep hips level—don’t let them twist
4. Hold for 5–10 seconds
• Imagine balancing a glass of water on your back
• Stay steady and breathe
5. Return slowly to all fours
• Lower with control
• Repeat with left arm and right leg
6. Do 8–10 reps per side
• Move slowly and focus on form
• Stop if you feel pain or lose control

Balance isn’t just for athletes—it’s key to preventing falls, improving posture, and staying agile as you age.

10/10/2025

What Does the ACL Actually Do—and Why Do Athletes Keep Injuring It?

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of the knee’s key stabilizers. It’s like the seatbelt for your shin—keeping it from sliding too far forward or twisting out of control when you pivot, jump, or land.
• Located deep inside the knee, it connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) and helps control rotation and forward motion.
• In sports like football, soccer, and basketball, sudden stops or changes in direction can overload the ACL—especially if the muscles around the knee aren’t absorbing the shock.

🧠 Fun fact: Most ACL tears happen without contact. It’s often the body’s own momentum that does the damage.