SOPHIA A. ARGEROPOULOS, D.C., P.C.
Dr. Sophia A. Argeropoulos has been serving the Port Jefferson and surrounding communities since 1985. She is a qualified and knowledgeable Chiropractor in Setauket. She completed her Doctorate of Chiropractic at Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1983 and specializes in the treatment of all spine related conditions including headaches, neck pain, back pain, bulging and herniated discs, sciatica, pinched nerves, neuropathy, whiplash, sprains, strains, auto and work related injuries.
For the past 15 years she has served on the board of the New York State Chiropractic Association. Her office is affiliated with Mather Hospital’s Chiropractic Collaboration and the Back & Neck Pain Center of Mather Hospital.
Winter brings along with it the holiday season, putting many people in a festive and cheerful mood. However, some people may experience injuries as a result of the changing weather. A drop in temperature often makes us more susceptible to injury, which can, unfortunately, derail our plans for the season. Our entire staff at Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos’ office wants to help you prevent injuries from happening so that you can stay healthy this winter. If you’d like to receive treatment from our chiropractor in Setauket, make sure you inquire with our staff or follow some typical suggestions for the winter season.
Stay Warm And Dry:
Trying to move around when you’re cold is one of the most prominent situations in which an injury is sustained. When your body temperature begins to drop, your muscles and joints can become tight and stiff. As a result, even the smallest movements can cause back spasms or muscle strains to develop. A great way to limit this from happening is to always dress appropriately for the weather. Wearing multiple layers will help preserve body heat and keep your back muscles loose and comfortable. Additionally, staying dry is just as vital. Even if you have multiple layers on, getting wet will force the cold to sleep right through. Taking the time to dress suitably can make all the difference between a fun-filled winter and one plagued with potential spinal injuries.
Take Time To Stretch:
Certain activities like skiing, sledding, or snowboarding can only be done during the winter. It’s natural to want to partake in them before the season passes, so you must take the necessary precautions before hitting the slopes. Stretching before these or any other activities you wish to perform this winter will help stave off the risk of complication. By stretching, you’ll be able to keep the spine loose and prepare it for exuberant activity. To get the most out of your stretches, our chiropractor in Setauket recommends doing some of the following:
- Knees-to-chest.
- Hamstring stretches.
- Bridges.
- Seated trunk twists.
- Pelvic tilts.
Stay Active:
When the winter comes, the urge to wait out the cold months sitting around in the comfort of your warm house can be great, but you need to resist this urge. Staying inactive for long periods can lead to your muscles and joints becoming stiff. Trying to move after prolonged inactivity can make you more susceptible to injury. Sticking with a regular exercise routine will help keep your body loose and injury-free!
Visit Our Chiropractor in Setauket:
Even after taking all of these precautionary measures into consideration, our chiropractor in Setauket understands that some injuries are unfortunately inevitable. If you find yourself in this predicament, trust the team at Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos’ office to provide the best treatment available! We’ll determine which forms of spinal adjustments and manipulations would be most beneficial to your injury and hopefully have you back to being pain-free in no time.
Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos: Chiropractor in Setauket
Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos has been serving the Long Island community with chiropractic care since 1985. Dr. Argeropoulos and her staff are no strangers to the injuries that can take place during the winter, and how taking simple precautions can help to avoid them. If you’d like to learn more advice on how to avoid an injury or are looking for chiropractor care as a form of treatment this season, make sure to contact us today!
Cold Weather & Muscle Spasms
With winter now upon us, drops in temperature can make movement and travel difficult. While this may just be the result of not wanting to leave your warm and cozy house, for some people, they claim its because the colder weather causes them pain. But is this the case? And what should you do if you find it happening to you? Dr. Sophia Argeropopulus has the answers you’re looking for.
What Is A Muscle Spasm
Muscle spasms are sometimes also referred to as muscle cramps. They occur when a muscle forcibly contracts and is unable to relax. Muscle spasms are a common occurrence and may involve a single muscle, or an entire muscle group. Typically, muscle spasms will occur in the following areas:
- Abdomens
- Arms
- Calves
- Foot Arches
- Thighs
How The Cold Affects You Muscles
As the weather gets colder, this causes the muscles in your body to lose heat, leading them to contract. As a result, your muscles and joints get tighter and decrease your range of motion. To compensate for this, your muscles are forced to work harder than they normally would in milder weather. This can increase the fatigue of your muscles, leading to longer periods of pain and discomfort after a workout or any type of movement than you would normally feel in warmer temperatures.
Cold Weather And Muscles Spasms
For the reasons mentioned above, colder weather can lead to increased amounts of muscle spasms. One of the most common causes of muscle spasms are overuse and fatigue of the muscles. Since more work is being done by muscles when it is cold, this makes winter the perfect culprit to cause these to happen. A spasm can last a few mere seconds or be up to 15 minutes long. During a muscle spasm, you may experience:
- Mild twitching of or pain in the muscle.
- Muscles feeling harder than normal to the touch.
- Muscles appearing physically distorted.
How To Combat The Cold
While we may not like to hear this, the world doesn’t stop once the temperature falls. Activities still need to be done, and movements still need to be made. One of the best ways to combat the negative affects the cold can have on your muscles is to do a proper warm-up before any physical activity. By taking a few minutes to get your heart rate up, you can increase the blood flow to and flexibility of your muscles. This will ensure your muscles are functioning properly and avoid the need for them to work harder than they have to, which can stop spasms and other injuries.
With the holidays and a new year among us, it may seem like you have no time to rest. When you’re constantly experiencing pain, this can be a very daunting reality to face. However, you do not have to do this alone. Dr. Sophia Argeropoulus is here to answer any of the questions you may have about how the cold affects your body and can offer you treatment should an injury be persistent. Contact her today so you can go back to being pain-free!
Nutrition For Your Spine
Spine-health is extremely important, and if not maintained it can lead to chronic pain issues as well as ongoing discomfort. Rather than taking medication, numerous natural options can help you maintain a healthy spine. One way you can accomplish this is by taking vitamins and supplements. There is a variety of them you can begin taking, as well as incorporating the foods they are found in, into your diet.
It is important to keep in mind though that vitamins and supplements may not be able to completely alleviate all of your pain or discomfort. Being able to pair your nutrition with a proper treatment plan is the best way to successfully reduce your pain. Working with a chiropractor in Setauket at Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos’ office can be one of the best ways to do so!
Vitamins to consider:
Maintaining a healthy diet with a balanced amount of vitamins and nutrients can be difficult without doing your research. But the benefits that you can reap, like reducing back complications or nourishing parts of the back, spine, and disks, are well worth it. Some vitamins found in food that can help with your spine health include:
- Magnesium: This nutrient helps to relax and contract muscles and strengthens the muscles that help to support the spine. Magnesium can be found in foods such as leafy vegetables, fish, beans, and bananas.
- Calcium: This nutrient helps to maintain an adequate level of bone mass throughout the lifespan. Calcium can be found in yogurt, cheese, milk, and kale.
- Vitamin D3: This helps support calcium. With vitamin D deficiency, bones can become brittle and misshapen. Vitamin D can be found in fatty fish, liver, and egg yolks.
If you are experiencing spinal discomfort, Dr. Sophia Argerpoulos, a Chiropractor in Setauket can help you come up with a solution that is best for you.
Supplements to consider:
In addition to maintaining a balanced diet, taking the right supplements can help with spinal discomfort as well. Some supplements that can help include:
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids.
- Glucosamine/chondroitin.
- Methylsulfonylmethane.
- Bromelain.
Some supplements can interact with other prescription medications, so it is important to consult a physician before you start taking these supplements if you are taking any other medications. Supplements work best when accompanied by a healthy diet and consistent exercise to keep your body healthy.
If you are experiencing back discomfort, Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos is a chiropractor in Setauket who can help treat several different spine-related conditions. Such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and more! Make an appointment with a chiropractor in Setauket today to take the next step to be pain-free!
