End of Summer Health Check-In

It's hard to believe summer is already beginning to wind down. Between vacations, cookouts, family gatherings, and spending more time outdoors, the season often flies by. As we start looking ahead to fall, now is the perfect time to take a moment and check in with your health. Ask yourself: Are you moving as well as you were at the beginning of summer? Are those little aches and pains becoming more frequent? Have healthy habits taken a back seat to a busy schedule?

Our bodies are incredibly good at adapting, but that doesn't always mean they're functioning at their best. Sometimes stiffness, reduced flexibility, or nagging discomfort can gradually become our "new normal." Rather than waiting until pain interrupts your daily life, consider addressing these small issues before they have the opportunity to grow into bigger problems.

A simple health check-in can go a long way. Make time to get back into a regular exercise routine, stay hydrated, prioritize quality sleep, and pay attention to how your body feels throughout the day. Whether you're getting ready for fall sports, returning to school routines, or simply settling back into everyday life, healthy habits now can help you feel your best in the months ahead.

Remember, chiropractic isn't about treating pain, it is about eliminating interference from the body. Pain is simply your body telling you that something is wrong. Regular chiropractic care can help your body move and function more efficiently, allowing you to stay active and enjoy the activities you love. As summer comes to a close, give yourself the same care and attention you've spent giving everyone else. Your body will thank you for it.

In Good Health,

Drs. Mark, Matt & Tami
(www.mifflintownchiro.com)

PS: Remember to check back often to our website.  Please leave feedback on the layouts!

PSS:  If you would like an email reminder of your appointments please stop by at the front desk and talk to Sharon. 

Newsletter Articles
July 2026

• Chiropractic Helping Children Reach Their Full Potential
• Chiropractic Helps Give Relief After a Whiplash Injury
• Could Chiropractic Care Help with Acid Reflux?
• Frozen Shoulder Helped by Chiropractic

Chiropractic Helping Children Reach Their Full Potential

Every child develops at their own pace, but parents naturally become concerned when important milestones such as speech, balance, or emotional regulation seem delayed. While some children simply need more time, others may benefit from additional support to help their nervous system function at its best. A growing body of chiropractic research is exploring how spinal health and proper nervous system function may play a role in healthy childhood development.

One recent case study published on July 1, 2026, in the Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal followed a two-year-old boy who was experiencing delayed speech, low muscle tone, emotional outbursts, and difficulty regulating his behavior. Although he had made some progress with speech therapy, his speech pathologist noticed signs suggesting that other neurological factors might be contributing to his delays. He was then evaluated by a chiropractor, who identified several areas of vertebral subluxation along with retained primitive reflexes—automatic infant reflexes that normally disappear as the brain and nervous system mature.

The child began receiving gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic care focused on correcting subluxation and supporting healthy nervous system function. His family was also given simple home activities designed to encourage movement, balance, body awareness, and overall development. These exercises were intended to complement his chiropractic care and support normal neurological maturation.

Over the following weeks, his parents noticed remarkable improvements. His speech began expanding rapidly, progressing from learning only one or two new words each day to as many as twenty new words daily. His social interactions improved, he became more imaginative during play, his balance and coordination increased, and he developed better control over his emotions. Perhaps the most touching moment came after about three months of care when the little boy happily told his family, "I'm so happy I can talk now."

As his progress continued, follow-up examinations showed improvements in muscle tone, posture, balance, and neurological function. Many of the retained primitive reflexes had resolved, and his parents reported that everyday life had become much less frustrating for both their son and the entire family. Better communication allowed him to express his needs more clearly, resulting in fewer emotional outbursts and a happier experience at home and daycare.

This report describes only one child's experience, so additional research is needed before broad conclusions can be made. However, it highlights the important relationship between the spine, nervous system, and childhood development. Chiropractic care is not intended to replace medical or speech therapy services, but it may serve as a valuable part of a team approach for some children. By helping improve nervous system function through the correction of vertebral subluxation, chiropractic care may support children as they grow, learn, communicate, and reach their full developmental potential.

Chiropractic Helps Give Relief After a Whiplash Injury

Neck injuries from automobile accidents can have lasting effects long after the damaged vehicle has been repaired. Many people continue to experience chronic neck pain, headaches, stiffness, and reduced mobility for months or even years following a collision. These lingering symptoms can make everyday activities difficult, interfere with work, and reduce overall quality of life. Fortunately, research continues to explore conservative approaches that may help people recover function and reduce pain.

One recent case study published on June 15, 2026, in the Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, followed a 54-year-old man who developed persistent neck pain and frequent headaches after being rear-ended in a motor vehicle accident. Shortly after the crash, he was diagnosed with an injury to one of the arteries in his neck. Follow-up medical testing several months later showed that the artery had healed, but he continued to struggle with significant pain, restricted neck movement, and headaches that affected both his daily life and his ability to perform his job.

Before beginning chiropractic care, a thorough examination and review of his medical history confirmed that the previous arterial injury had healed and that there were no signs of an active vascular problem. Specific forms of chiropractic care were then directed toward correcting vertebral subluxation and improving spinal function. Throughout his care, his progress was carefully monitored, and care was provided only when examination findings indicated it was appropriate.

Over the next six months, the man experienced substantial improvements. His neck pain steadily decreased, his headaches became much less frequent and less severe, and he regained greater freedom of movement in his neck. Everyday tasks such as driving, sitting for extended periods, and performing his work responsibilities became much easier. Quality-of-life questionnaires completed during the study also showed meaningful improvements in physical function, energy levels, emotional well-being, and the ability to carry out normal daily activities.

Like many people recovering from an injury, he experienced temporary soreness after a small number of visits, but these symptoms went away within a few days and no serious complications occurred. By the end of the study, his disability related to neck pain had decreased significantly, and both his pain scores and overall health measurements reflected marked improvement. His recovery highlights the importance of careful evaluation, appropriate care selection, and ongoing monitoring throughout the course of care.

This report demonstrates that chiropractic care may be a valuable option for some people with persistent neck pain and headaches after a whiplash injury. When combined with a thorough examination and careful clinical decision-making, correction of vertebral subluxation may help improve nervous system function, reduce pain, restore movement, and allow patients to return to the activities they enjoy.

Could Chiropractic Care Help with Acid Reflux?

If you've ever experienced the burning discomfort of acid reflux, you know how much it can affect your quality of life. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD, occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the esophagus. This can lead to persistent heartburn, a chronic sore throat, difficulty swallowing, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and interrupted sleep. While medications and lifestyle changes help many people, some continue to struggle with ongoing symptoms despite their best efforts.

A recent chiropractic case study published on July 1, 2026, in the Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal followed a 43-year-old woman who had been dealing with GERD symptoms for approximately four years. Despite taking medication, following a gluten-free and dairy-free diet, and making other lifestyle changes, she continued to experience frequent heartburn, throat irritation, digestive discomfort, and upper abdominal pain. Her symptoms had become severe enough to interfere with caring for her two young children and performing her part-time job as an occupational therapist.

During her chiropractic evaluation, several areas of vertebral subluxation and postural imbalance were identified. Care was directed toward correcting these spinal problems and improving overall nervous system function. Along with chiropractic care, she was encouraged to continue her healthy dietary habits, practice good posture, and follow simple home-care recommendations designed to support her recovery.

Over the first two months of care, the woman reported noticeable improvement in her digestive symptoms. As care continued, her episodes of heartburn became less frequent and much less severe. She also experienced improvements in neck mobility, posture, and overall comfort. Eventually, she no longer needed her acid-reducing medication and instead managed her digestion with healthy eating habits and a natural digestive enzyme recommended through her healthcare routine.

More than four years after beginning chiropractic care, the patient's improvements had largely been maintained. Her reflux symptoms occurred only occasionally, were much milder than before, and no longer controlled her daily life. She was able to continue working, care for her family, and enjoy a much higher quality of life. While she still received periodic chiropractic checkups, her need for frequent care had decreased considerably as her condition stabilized.

This report describes only one patient's experience, so additional research is needed before broad conclusions can be made. However, this study highlights the close relationship between the spine, nervous system, and the body's many internal functions. While chiropractic care is not a treatment for GERD itself, correcting vertebral subluxation may help optimize nervous system function, allowing the body to function more efficiently. For some individuals, chiropractic care may become a valuable part of a comprehensive approach to improving digestive health and overall well-being.

Frozen Shoulder Helped by Chiropractic

Most of us take our shoulders for granted until something as simple as reaching into a cabinet, fastening a seatbelt, or putting on a jacket suddenly becomes painful. Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes increasing pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. It affects an estimated 2% to 5% of the population and often develops gradually. In many cases, the shoulder becomes so stiff that even everyday tasks become frustrating and difficult.

Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three stages. The first is the "freezing" stage, where pain gradually increases and shoulder movement becomes more limited. This is followed by the "frozen" stage, when the pain may lessen somewhat, but stiffness becomes the biggest problem. Finally comes the "thawing" stage, during which movement slowly returns. Unfortunately, this entire process can take anywhere from one to three years, and for some people, lingering discomfort may last even longer.

A July 1, 2026, case report published in the Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal described a 30-year-old man who developed frozen shoulder after a surfing injury. He experienced persistent shoulder pain that radiated into his upper back and neck, making reaching movements uncomfortable. His examination revealed limited shoulder function along with areas of vertebral subluxation and postural imbalance. Chiropractic care focused on correcting these spinal problems and improving overall nervous system function while monitoring his progress over a short period of care.

The results were encouraging. After just two chiropractic visits over a six-day period, the man's shoulder pain had completely resolved. He regained normal shoulder motion, could perform orthopedic shoulder tests without discomfort, and had already returned to lifting furniture and surfing. While this is only one patient's experience and cannot predict how every individual will respond, it demonstrates how restoring proper spinal function and correcting subluxation may play a role in helping the body recover from certain musculoskeletal problems.

The authors also reviewed other commonly recommended treatments for frozen shoulder, including physical therapy, exercises, medications, corticosteroid injections, and, in severe cases, surgery. They noted that although many of these approaches can improve pain and mobility, recovery often requires patience because the condition naturally takes time to resolve. They also emphasized that additional research is needed to better understand how chiropractic care may fit into the overall management of frozen shoulder.

Your nervous system controls every muscle, joint, and tissue in your body. When vertebral subluxations interfere with normal nerve function, the body's ability to move and heal efficiently may be affected. Chiropractic care is designed to help restore normal spinal function, allowing the nervous system to communicate more effectively with the rest of the body. While no single treatment is right for everyone, this case adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that chiropractic care may be a valuable part of a conservative approach for people suffering from frozen shoulder and other painful joint conditions.