Kinesio Taping for Neck pain, back pain, tennis elbow, knee pain and more!

I was trained to use athletic tape to stabilize ankle sprain, wrist sprain, knee sprain and most sports injuries in college. While in chiropractic school I learned something new- Kinesio Taping! This type of taping is totally different from traditional athletic taping. It helps improve range of motion, mobility, flexibility, reduce inflammation and edema, and improve performance. It's amazing! Besides chiropractic adjustment, I use this therapy for patient with acute neck and back pain. Most people feel decrease in pain level with tape on their back.

Kinesio taping is a method used to help normalize the function of muscles and other connective tissues. Kinesio taping is used for both spinal and extremity conditions such as neck pain, back pain, tennis elbow, knee pain, shin splint and shoulder pain.

Kineso taping uses elastic tape rather than the rigid tape traditionally used in sports. The elastic properties of this tape help in many ways:

• Improve contraction of a weakened muscle
• Reduce muscle fatigue and spasm
• Reduce over-stretching and over-contraction of muscles
• Re-educate muscles through sensory feedback
• Lessen edema (swelling) through aiding the lymphatic system
• Minimize post-traumatic or post-surgical bruising through improved circulation
• Help mobilize scar tissue by enhancing glide between tissue layers
• Help correct joint mechanics through aiding muscle function around the joint
• Relieve pain by activating the natural analgesic system in our skin receptors

For more information please visit Kinesio Taping website!

Active Spines Chiropractic Keeps Your Spine Active and Pain Free! You can contact Dr. Shao-Hao Cheng at 425-818-0086 or info@activespines.com

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)- neck, shoulder, arm and hand symptoms.

Do you have neck, shoulder arm, hand numbness, tingling, pins and needles, soreness or pain? You might find this article helpful if you do.

The thoracic outlet is located between the first rib, the clavicle, and the scalene muscles. The brachial plexus and the subcalvian artery pass between the anterior and medial scalenes muscles, the first rib, and the overlying clavicle. The brachial plexus and the sbuclavian artery can be compressed as they pass between the thoracic outlet. The lower roots of the brachial plexus (C8-T1) or ulnar nerve are at high risk than the more superior roots because of their location in the plexus.

TOS is also known as scalene anticus syndrome, hyperabduction syndrome, cervical rib sundrome, costoclavicular syndrome and pectoralis minor syndrome.

Causes of TOS:

1. Mechanical: repetitive stress, overuse, poor posture, muscle spasm, decondition or artrophy.
2. Traumatic: penetration injury
   
3. Congenital: cervical rib
   
4. Vascular
5. Infeciton
6. Idiopathic
   

The symptoms include pain in the fingers, hand, forearm, arm, and shoulder. Numbness occurs most often in the fingers, hand and the forearm. You may also feel cold, weakness and skin color change. Pins and needles in arm and hand.

Conservatice treatments for TOS:

1. Self care tips: improvement in posture, office ergonomics, modification in work related posture habits, cervical traction, stretching
2. Treatment in our clinic: a few options, myofascial release technique, PIR stretching, In office posture training for cervical and thoracic spine, strengthen weak muscles, chiropractic adjustment for neck, upper back and first rib, and medical massage.

Active Spines Chiropractic Keeps Your Spine Active and Pain Free! You can contact Dr. Shao-Hao Cheng at activespines.com

TMJ Syndrome with forward head posture

TMJ syndrome is also known as temporomandibular pain. The pain may result from irritation over the TMJ joint and/or soft tissue around it such as muscle, capsule, ligament. Besides wear a night guard or dental care, you might also benefit from chiropractic treatment. Chiropractic adjustment can restore proper join motion, alignment and muscle tone over your neck and upper back.

Forward head posture like the picture on the top can also cause TMJ syndrome. The jaw gets pulled down and backward due to poor posture, which causes tension and misalignment at the TMJ joint. Self care for forward head posture includes but not limit to chin retraction exercise, neck and upper back stretching, neck muscle strengthening, posture exercise and office ergonomics. Chiropractic adjustment over cervical, thoracic and 1st rib are beneficial. When your spines is in balance you will have greater result from home exercises. Do you have forward head posture? Do you always carry stress over your upper back? Are you always slouching and hunched over? If yes to any of the above, please call Dr. Cheng at 425-818-0086. He will be able to help you! Don't wait until it is too late. Chiropractic adjustment is a very safe and natural treatment to help you live your life to the fullest.


1. Mandibular Whiplash, Part I: extension Flexion Injury of the TMJ, Levandoski R. Functional Orthodontist, 1993; Jan/Feb: 26-31
2. Tinnitus in Patients with TMJ Internal Derangement, Ren Y, Isberg A. Journal Craniomandibular Practice, 1995; 13(2): 75-80
3. TMJ injury can occur in collision without direct jaw impact, Burgess J. Journal Craniomandibular Disorders, 1991; 5(4): 251-257

Active Spines Chiropractic in Bellevue WA Keeps Your Spine Active and Pain Free! You can contact Dr. Shao-Hao Cheng at 425-818-0086 or info@activespines.com

Should I use hot or cold for my back pain or neck pain?

Have you wonder what you should do when your back is hurting? Should I use hot or cold for my back pain? Is hot better than cold therapy or the other way around? This can be a bit confusing from time to time. A general rule of thumb that I recommend to my patient is use cold therapy when you are hurting or in pain. Such as when you hurt your back lifting, bending, reaching out or other activities. Or when your neck is hurting after you slept wrong or at work. Or you experiences pain after a car accident or work injury. Should I use heat, soak in hot tub or take a hot shower when my back is hurting? Probably not, because even though the heat make you feel better at the time you are in the hot tub, but afterward the inflammation will increase and it will cause more swelling and pain.

How to ice your back correctly?

1. Buy a ice pack from drug store or use ice cubes in a plastic bag.
2. Wrap it with a thin towel.
3. Place it on the area that's hurting for 15 minutes. (Do not lay on it)
4. Remove after 15 minutes.
5. Repeat step 3 and 4 for 1 to 4 times depends on your condition.
6. Still bothers you? Please give us a call at 425-818-0086. You might need some professional help.

Active Spines Chiropractic Keeps Your Spine Active and Pain Free! You can contact Dr. Shao-Hao Cheng at activespines.com

We are on local news paper- Asia Today (華聲報)

I was really blessed to have so many friends and family came and celebrated with me during our last week's grand opening party. It was very successful and warmly received. I would like to thank Mr. John Chou, the publisher of Asia Today for reporting this event on his newspaper. This is a surprising gift! On the left picture, I was cutting the ribbon outside the clinic. David and Maurice was holding the ribbon for me. Thanks to them. They did a great job! On the right photo you can see me and our chiropractic assistant, Blenika inside our clinic. Last, thanks for everyone coming to the event out of your busy schedule. If you know anyone who can benefit our services such as chiropractic, massage or physiotherapy care please do not hesitate to refer them over. We would do our best to get them better and keep their spine Pain Free and Active!

Active Spines Chiropractic Keeps Your Spine Active and Pain Free! You can contact me at activespines.com