nigus-chiropractic-and-acupuncture

The Problem with Deskwork

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:00:22 GMT

Think about how many hours we spend at a computer each day at work. Do you work in front of a screen for the entire time? Maybe a few hours? Do you typically sit for most of your work day?

There is a phase stating that “sitting is the new smoking”, and there is truth to it. We are learning more and more how a sedentary life is dangerous to our health and longevity–not just longevity, but the actual quality of our years. As we age, do you want to be able to move and do all the things you’d like? How we treat our bodies now determines the quality of our future.

In chiropractic, we are constantly seeing the damage caused by long-term sitting. Sitting for long periods is detrimental to the joints of our spines, causing irreversible damage over a lifetime. The damage doesn’t occur all at once, but rather it slowly builds day-by-day until what started as an annoying tightness in the low back has evolved into chronic, daily pain that shoots down the back of your leg, making it hard to go from sitting to standing or move around for too long before it gets too painful.

When we sit, we put about 60% more pressure on the discs of our spine than when we are standing. Joints mold and change over time based on the forces they experience. If you are a martial artist who breaks boards frequently, your bones respond and get thicker to adapt to the forces. If you sit at a computer or at home most of the day, your joints will adapt and change to manage the abnormal forces.

As a chiropractor, I speak often for local businesses and groups about ergonomics and healthy habits for the body. Here are the key tips I give almost everyone to help not only manage back pain, but to prevent it.

Move frequently. Our bodies can sit for long periods, but they are designed to crave movement and a variety of postures. For every hour someone is sitting at a desk, they need to get up and move their bodies for at least five minutes. Get up and stretch, move in new ways. Go to the restroom. Get a drink of water. Anything that gets you up and moving your body is beneficial.
Try more positions. Switch out your chair for an exercise ball for a few minutes to give your body and muscles some new stimulus. This variety allows the joints and muscles to experience different forces so they don’t get “locked in” to one single pattern. If you have a sit-stand desk, that is wonderful. Switch between sitting and standing every hour. While standing, you can also place a step under your desk to prop one foot up on it. This gives you additional positions to try to add more variety. The more often you can change positions, the happier your joints will be.
Walk at least 30 minutes a day. Even if you can’t adapt your work position, you can still plan time to walk for 30 minutes every day. This does a lot to counteract the build up of physical stress on the joints from sitting. One of the worst things you can do is spend eight hours working at a computer (sitting), drive home (sitting), then immediately find the couch (sitting). Try to create a walking group at work, make it a habit to walk for a bit at lunch, or spend some time after dinner walking around the neighborhood. The 30 minutes can be broken up throughout the day.

These tips help counteract the stress that builds up from office work, however if there is pain in the back or sensations going down the legs, it is important to talk to a professional. Chiropractors treat back pain every day with great success, and are the first line providers when it comes to back pain. The majority of back pain comes from chronic, lifestyle stress, and chiropractic care works wonders getting people moving and living pain-free.

The Cervicogenic Headache

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:00:17 GMT

Well over half the world will experience at least one headache every year. For a typical headache-sufferer, they could experience a headache every single day. Headaches have multiple causes such as stress or dehydration, and things like sensitivity to light or chronically tight muscles. The majority of headaches are “tension-type” headaches.

What is a tension-type headache? They have a particular manifestation. These headaches cause pain and tension at the base of the head where it meets the neck. The tension can travel over the top of the head or through the sides of the head. The pressure and pain can eventually go into the forehead or behind the eyes. Patients describe the pain as a “vice grip” or “pressure all over”. Patients often complain of pain at the back of the head.

These headaches also have another name that is well-known to chiropractors: the cervicogenic headache. That means a headache originating (genic) in the neck (cervico-). Dysfunction of the vertebra in the neck irritates the nerves and muscles, causing tension through the neck muscles and putting pressure on the whole head. Of course, chiropractors get great results fixing the root cause of these types of headaches, but patients can also do some other things to manage the pain in the meantime.

What do I do about my cervicogenic headaches?

There are many things someone can do to help their headache. Since one issue is tight muscles, applying ice to the neck can reduce inflammation in the muscles and nerves. This may not fix the underlying problem with the joint in the neck, but by calming down the muscles it takes more pressure off the nerves that cause headaches.

Pressure points can also be useful for treating headaches. There are three locations that work best. The first is the top of the shoulders near the base of the neck. This treats a trigger point within the trapezius muscle. The second is right at the base of the skull where it connects to the neck. On either side of the spine, about one thumb-width from the midline, there will be a tender spot that responds well to holding pressure. The last point is on the underridge of the eyebrow on the inner corner by the nose. This especially helps if someone struggles with eye pain or sinus pressure with their headaches.

However, the best way to get cervicogenic headaches to resolve is to treat the underlying problem: the vertebra itself. Often the vertebra gets stuck and fixated in one spot due to our postures, stress, sleeping positions, back trauma, and more. When the vertebra gets stuck the body compensates with tight neck muscles, tight shoulders, and eventually headaches. Chiropractors treat cervicogenic headaches every day with great results. If you deal with regular headaches, it is worth having a free consultation with a chiropractor to see how they can help. Millions of people have had their headaches cured or improved by chiropractic care. See if you can feel better, too!

Sleeping Positions. How Should I Lay?

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 08:00:08 GMT

I get a lot of questions about mattresses, pillows, and sleeping positions. Chiropractors all over the world get these questions. It makes sense, because numerous patients complain that their necks or backs are sore first thing in the morning. Isn’t it easy to think, “Huh, I wonder if my mattress is the problem?”

Here’s part of the problem. Our bodies crave movement. Our bodies hate being in one position for long periods of time. It’s also why working at a computer desk for hours and hours puts a lot of wear and tear on the joints of our spine. It may not cause issues immediately, but what if your body was under that physical stress for years? How we sleep is the same way; it’s rarely an overnight process, but rather aches and pains that develop over months and years.

So, how can we look at our beds and sleeping positions to help reduce our neck and back pain? There are a few easy things to look at before you spend a ton of money on a fancy mattress.

The purpose of pillows and mattresses is to keep our spines in a “neutral position”. That means your spine and neck are straight and in its most-normal position. Your spine isn’t twisted, it isn’t bent to one side, and it isn’t curled into a ball. Same goes for your pillow–its job is to keep your neck in a neutral position instead of being twisted or bent.

If you sleep on your back, use a thinner pillow that keeps your neck in better line with your spine. Too much bulk and your neck will be flexed forward. If you suffer with back pain, you may try putting a small pillow under your knees to elevate them–this takes pressure off the low back.

For side-sleepers, make your pillow thick or thin enough to keep your neck in line. Most of the time our pillow is too thin, and our neck is crunched to one side over the night. It makes sense how people feel their arms and hands fall asleep overnight? Those nerves are being compressed. For hip pain, put a pillow between the knees to keep your knees more in line with your hips.

These tips help us sleep with better posture. There can be other issues like pressure points, which can be solved by using a new mattress topper or slightly altering your position to distribute body weight. I’d suggest the low-cost options first before giving a new mattress a try.

Sometimes the issue is the joints of the spine are fixated and under stress. No amount of pillows or blankets will fix the underlying issue, but chiropractic care is perfect for fixing these underlying problems. If it is hard to get comfortable or pain wakes you up at night, chiropractic will rehab the joints so they move with you, not against you.

Under chiropractic care, patients regularly report sleeping deeper, longer, and more restfully. Aside from the other amazing benefits of chiropractic care, getting better sleep is just one of the reasons to ask your local chiropractor for a free consultation. If these tips help some but not all the way, then chiropractic care may be the final piece of the puzzle.

Fix Your Posture!

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:00:25 GMT

Chiropractors and posture go together like a horse and carriage. The two are inseparable. In fact, some of the most common questions I get asked are about posture and how to sit better. How can we stop ourselves from slouching?

Poor posture leads to abnormal and repetitive stress on the joints of the body. It leads to muscle tightness, which leads to joint dysfunction, which leads to compression, which leads to nerve irritation, which leads to pain, and eventually leads to chronic pain. Over 80% of the population will experience back pain in their lives, and posture is a big factor.

In the Overland Park and surrounding areas, I do a lot of guest speaking about posture and ergonomics. These are often workshops for local offices where employees sit at a computer most of the day, but even if I visit a school or a warehouse the information is valid. Posture comes down to simple concepts rather than a specific prescription, and we get to apply the concept to all of our daily activities. I go into more details in my ergonomics workshop, but here are some good concepts to keep in mind.

First, we are constantly flexing forward. Our bodies linger towards a fetal position like we are curling into a ball. Think about how you sit at your desk or how you sit at home. Do you favor letting your body collapse forward? When you eat, are you hunched over your plate? The truth is these positions require fewer muscles. They are easier to maintain, because we don’t have to do anything. These positions are fine and not inherently bad, but if you are in this position every day for weeks, months, or years? Well, that is when wear and tear occurs.

Working our posture muscles takes effort at the start. It becomes easier and more subconscious over time, but we have to allow time to change these worn-in patterns. Back pain does not develop in one day, and it doesn’t go away in one day, either.

Second, if we want to change what our body views as its normal posture, it takes time and consistency. We want to focus on extension movements. In this case, pulling. Rows, pull-downs, pull-ups, and anything that pulls us backward into extension are perfect. We are trying to reverse the flexion posture. Of all the exercises, rows are one of my favorites. Put yourself into a straight or slightly extended position before performing a row, and it will further train the neurological connection that helps maintain posture.

Third, there can also be limitations to our posture that take a deeper approach. When we have poor posture for a long period of time, it’s not just the muscles that adapt to the pattern. Your spinal joints and nerves also adapt to the poor posture. They begin to lose their normal range of motion.

One of my favorite things to see is a patient regaining range of motion in their body that they didn’t even realize they had lost. Joints getting restricted and fixated is a process that takes time; we don’t even realize it is happening, and we don’t realize that our “normal” is actually a reduced range of motion. If someone is having trouble changing their posture, there is a good chance they have a few spinal joints that are locked in to that poor posture. Chiropractic care is the perfect fit to create a change in the pattern.

Keep thinking about your posture! Some patients set a notification on their phone throughout the day just to remind them to think about their posture. If you or someone you know is dealing with back or neck pain, and they work in a sitting position, have them reach out to a local chiropractor for a consultation. The solution could be very simple, and pay dividends when we think about how we want our bodies to perform as we age. Do we want to age with less range of motion and stability, or more?

Employee Wellness for Your Company

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:00:25 GMT

As of writing this article, I am now over 13 years in practice as a chiropractic in Overland Park. Through my tenure, one of my missions has been to bring education and wellness to the community. The original definition of “doctor” is “teacher”, and it is a label that I take seriously. We do this through free community outreach and providing a free lunch for all attendees.

Over the years I have spoken for a variety of groups from financial institutions and engineering firms, to civic groups like the Chamber of Commerce and local schools. Some audiences are intimate at just ten or so individuals, and other lectures have been for over 100 employees. The common thread is people in the community who benefit from learning how to build healthy habits and live better quality years, regardless of where they work or what they do.

The key is to keep the information light and accessible. Health changes can be daunting. Nobody wants to be berated about “eat this, not that”. My goal with the community lunch and learn workshops is to give people some easy ideas to make themselves healthier, and encourage them to grow what they are already doing. Perfect is not the enemy of good. It’s great when I revisit a company year after year and see that the employees are moving more, starting walking groups, managing their stress in healthier ways, and living happier, healthier lives.

Of all the topics I’ve shared, here are the most popular:

Stress Management. Everybody deals with stress, and stress manifests in different forms. In this workshop we talk about physical, chemical, and emotional stress and how they affect our bodies. It isn’t just tight muscles, but your heart, brain, and every organ of the body. Employees leave this workshop better able to identify their stress and have tools to manage the effects. This is the most popular topics I share.
Posture and Ergonomics. Particularly because so many of us work at a computer or a desk for hours upon hours, this talk is very popular every time I’ve shared it. We discuss how our postures affect not only our aches and pains, but even things like digestion, immune system, and brain. If you want your employees to feel better and take fewer sick days because of pain, this topic is a perfect match.
Nutrition. Foods come in a rainbow of colors, and we talk about all the colors and what they do for our bodies. This talk encapsulates the phrase “let food be thy medicine”. We also go over the pitfalls of nutrition and how to craft a healthy, and sustainable, diet. While this workshop is great year round, I found it the most popular around the New Year when we are all motivated to be healthier!

Getting out of my office and teaching the community is one of my favorite things to do. We cater in free lunch for everyone, share some fun material, and get the community thinking about healthier habits. If your co-workers or employees could benefit from something like this, please reach out and let us do what we love to do best.

Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic?

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:01:02 GMT

People of all ages benefit from chiropractic care, and it is covered by nearly all health insurance plans. A common question we receive at our office is if Medicare covers chiropractic. The short answer is: yes. However, there are a couple variations. If you have more specific questions, feel free to give our Overland Park chiropractic office a call, and we can help navigate your health care.

To be eligible for Medicare, you must be 65 years old. In this age range, we think of things like mobility and stability, and having a longer quality of life. Chiropractic is great not only helping our chronic pains feel better, but also maintaining joint health before pain even enters the equation. Medicare-aged patients want to stay active. They want to spend time with their family, help babysit grandkids, and keep active with exercise such as pickleball or biking.

Chiropractic is a benefit everyone on Medicare has, and they should make sure to use these benefits to help their back pain, neck pain, or whatever pain they are experiencing! Here are the quick points to understand about Medicare and how it covers chiropractic.

Medicare alone covers 80% of health care costs. It is up to the patient to cover the other 20%. Most patients opt to get a supplement plan (Medicare Part G) to cover that additional portion of health care costs. This goes for all health care–not just chiropractic. If you go to the hospital and have $100,000 in bills, the supplement plan covers that $20,000 portion while your regular Medicare covers the $80,000.

Medicare plans also have a small annual deductible. For the year 2026, that deductible is $286. This gets met by any provider you see, and once it is met you are set for the year. There are also Medicare supplements that cover the deductible (Part F), but it is wise to talk to a health insurance professional about the type of supplement you want. Financially, it may not make sense to get an expensive supplement plan just to cover a small deductible. Either way, if you are interested in chiropractic care, once you meet that deductible our office is typically covered for all your costs.

Finally, there is also an alternative to Medicare called Medicare Part C. These are health insurance plans provided by regular private health insurance companies; think of companies like United Health Care, Cigna, BlueCross, etc. With these plans, it is like you have regular-old health insurance again. You will have deductibles, co-pays, co-insurances, out-of-pocket maxes. Generally, these plans are cheaper, but also best if you believe you will have hardly any health care costs. Chiropractic care is covered in a similar way–either you have a copay or have to meet a several thousand dollar deductible first before insurance will pay.

No matter what, we want to make sure everyone receives chiropractic care. As we age, it is one of the best, non-drug, non-surgery interventions to keep the body moving and performing at its best. Medicare makes chiropractic care accessible at our office for anyone in the Overland Park and surrounding areas. Give a chiropractor a call for a consult–after all, you are already paying for the benefit!

Been in an Accident?

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:27:27 GMT

The State of Kansas reports nearly 60,000 motor vehicle accidents every year. These range from simple fender benders to tragic accidents, with the highest percentage coming from distracted drivers. Regardless of the cause, people often report neck pain or back pain after the accidents.

It only takes a few miles per hour to cause whiplash, as simple as a fender bender. While some people experience pain immediately or over the next days, research shows that neck pain and back pain can develop over the course of a year from the car accident. The stretch on the tendons and ligaments may not immediately be painful, but as the body repairs the hidden damage it may manifest as pain down the line.

Early intervention is important. By the time pain develops, the condition has already been present for weeks or months and much more difficult to manage.

In the state of Kansas, every auto insurance policy carries coverages for chiropractic care. Whether you hit a deer or someone hits you, chiropractic care is available as part of your policy. There are a few things to keep in mind after you’ve been in an accident.

Did you file a police report? Having a police report gives your insurance leverage against the other person’s insurance. This also removes issues from “he said, she said” in case the accident is complicated.
Seek a consultation with a chiropractor. Chiropractors are experts when it comes to motor vehicle accident cases. A chiropractor will perform a free consultation, and if needed a full evaluation. Pain isn’t the only factor in care. The true goal is to make sure chronic issues don’t develop years down the line from the accident–we care about full stability, not a quick fix.
Do you need an attorney? If you are the victim in the accident, an attorney can make sure you are wholly compensated. Yes, you want to have your vehicle fix and your medical bills covered, but there are also other unforeseen costs that are left on the table without an attorney. Insurance companies will do everything they can to pay as little as they can, even if it means not making sure you are “whole”.

We work with numerous personal injury attorneys in the Overland Park area, and have great working relationships. Our documentation and notes help the attorney get the best settlement for your case, and we do our work of getting you back to 100%. It’s important to have a chiropractor and attorney who work together to make your case successful on all fronts.

Don’t just take what the insurance offers on the first call! Talk with the experts and see your options, first. It’s not how your body feels right now, but how it will perform for you a few years down the line.

The Big 3 Core Exercises

Fri, 29 May 2026 15:08:13 GMT

Did you know that over 80% of the population will one day deal with back pain? The thing is, the majority of low back pain issues develop over a long period of time rather than overnight. Even if one day you wake up with unexplained back pain, the issue has been slowly manifesting for months or, more likely, years. It’s like having a cavity in your tooth–that also did not develop overnight.

While chiropractic care is great for managing and healing back pain, core exercises are an important tool for back pain prevention. Everyone, regardless of pain, should be doing core stabilizing exercises. These are exercises that we recommend to most patients.

1. The Modified Sit-Up

Traditional sit-ups curl the back into too much flexion and put unnecessary pressure on the discs of the low back. Instead, lay on your back and bend either one or both legs so your foot is flat on the floor. Do a sit-up, but just enough to bring your shoulder blades off the ground. Imagine you are laying on a weight scale and simply want to make the scale read “zero”. This contracts the core without using too much flexion

2. The Plank

The plank is the quintessential core exercise. Place your body on your forearms and your toes like a push-up position and hold in place. You can modify the exercise to make it easier by using your knees instead of toes, or using your hands instead of forearms. Make sure you are feeling the stabilization in your abdomen. If your low back muscles start to get sore, that means your core stabilizers have already fatigued and you should recover for a moment before trying again.

3. The Bird Dog

This exercise trains stability through dynamic ranges of motion. Place yourself on your hands and knees. In a controlled manner, raise one arm straight out in front of you like you are pointing. Take the opposite side leg and stick it straight backwards so it is parallel with the ground. Slowly come back to the starting position and repeat with the opposite limbs. If you find yourself feeling shaky or unstable, instead focus on just moving one limb at a time (such as a single arm or a single leg) until you gain better stability.

Core exercises can be trained nearly every day. Start with a few seconds of each hold if you are new to exercising the core, and gradually train up to longer times holding each position or more sets of holds. There are many ways to modify each of these exercises to make them easier or harder, depending on how you progress. A strong core is important for preventing and managing back pain.