The HealthFirst Chiropractic Blog

The general rule is simple: use ice for new injuries and use heat for stiff, tight, or chronic muscle pain. Ice helps calm the swelling and inflammation of a fresh injury in the first day or two, while heat relaxes tense muscles and improves blood flow to areas that feel

Pediatric chiropractic care uses very gentle, age-appropriate techniques to support a child’s spine and nervous system as they grow. The adjustments are far lighter than those used for adults, often no more pressure than a fingertip touch, and always adapted to the child’s size and stage. At HealthFirst Chiropractic in

A rotator cuff problem and a frozen shoulder can both cause shoulder pain and limited movement, but they are different conditions. A rotator cuff injury involves the muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder, usually causing pain with specific movements like lifting or reaching overhead. Frozen shoulder involves the joint

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel to your toes. The classic sign is sharp heel pain with your first steps in the morning, which often eases as you move but returns after rest or long

Chiropractic care and physical therapy both help people recover from pain, but they approach it differently. Chiropractic focuses on the alignment and movement of your joints, especially the spine, using hands-on adjustments to restore proper function. Physical therapy focuses on rebuilding strength, mobility, and movement patterns through guided exercise and

If you are hurt on the job in Ohio, workers compensation can cover chiropractic care to help you recover and return to work. The process involves reporting the injury, filing a claim, and receiving consistent treatment with proper documentation along the way. At HealthFirst Chiropractic in Westerville and Pickerington, our

A herniated or bulging disc happens when one of the cushions between your spinal bones pushes out of place and irritates nearby nerves. Warning signs include pain that radiates into an arm or leg, numbness or tingling, weakness in a limb, and pain that worsens with sitting, coughing, or sneezing.

A DOT physical is a federally required medical exam that commercial drivers must pass to stay certified to drive. At our Westerville office, Dr. Jason Schone is a certified DOT medical examiner who can perform your exam and complete the required paperwork. Coming prepared with the right documents and information

A sports chiropractor treats the whole body, not just the spine, to help athletes recover from injury, move better, and lower the risk of getting hurt again. At our Pickerington office, Dr. Tim Smart pairs Gonstead chiropractic with formal training in exercise physiology and strength conditioning to care for athletes

Functional medicine looks for the root cause of ongoing health problems instead of only treating the symptoms. At our Westerville office, Dr. Jan Schone uses functional medicine to help patients dealing with thyroid disorders, hormone imbalances, gut issues, and unexplained fatigue, especially those whose lab work keeps coming back “normal”

Tension headaches and migraines feel different and often start in different places. A tension headache usually brings a steady, dull pressure on both sides of the head, frequently tied to neck and shoulder tightness. A migraine tends to be a more intense, throbbing pain, often on one side, and can

Pregnancy chiropractic care offers safe, gentle adjustments that can help relieve the back, hip, and pelvic pain many expectant mothers feel as their bodies change. Our doctors use age-appropriate, low-force techniques designed for pregnancy, with comfort and safety as the priority at every visit. At our Westerville office, HealthFirst Chiropractic