One of my patients, a 75 year old grandpa, evidently didn't listen to his body when it said "Throwing my 8 year old grandson in the pool might not be a wise idea for my bad back." Well, it was good to see him, no permanent injury. I patched him up and sent him on his way. As a holistic chiropractor, I am always looking for ways to help my patients listen to their inner wisdom, which gives the best advice, better than me, or anyone. 

How does one hear inner wisdom? Very simply, just regularly check in with your heart. Do it right now. What is your heart saying? ...pause... My heart just said "You need to get up from this PC, look out the window and enjoy the day for a few minutes." ...pause... I'm back. The live oak trees are casting long shadows across the grass and marsh at 5:31PM on this March 5, 2025. I noticed there were a few small bugs on the outside of the window, enjoying the warm sun. This day started very stormy but it is bright now. ...I just had a lovely minute. Thank you, heart! When I do this exercise with my patients in the office the answer my heart usually gives is "You need to take a deep breath" because I usually talk a lot to a new patient, or a patient that's under a lot of stress.

Check in with your heart as often as you can. Set a reminder or use a trigger such as "Every time I go to the toilet I will check in with my heart." The message might be simple: "I need some water," "I'm hungry," "I ate too much," "I need a nap." Or it may be bigger: "I need to do my taxes and get that monkey off my back." 

It takes practice to hear your inner voice, but it is not hard. Simply tune in and listen. Call it a meditation because... it is. It's the very best mindfulness meditation; being present with your own heart. Like all meditations, your mind will go off in all directions and you will forget to tune into your heart. But congratulate yourself when you do remember. "Small victories" as my husband says. An important reason to practice is because during times of high stress - when you need wisdom and guidance the most - you are too distracted and unlikely to take the time to tune in to your inner guide. 

Here's the secret: This is about much more than self preservation. It's actually about learning self love.

Dr. Kelley LeBlanc shows you Gentle Neck Movements to increase range of motion (Cervical ROM) and reduce pain. Do 1-3 times per day. Hold each position for one breath. If you have severe neck pain and fever, please go to the Emergency Room. If any movement causes intense pain, STOP and see your doctor. ​

The word "Chiropractic" means "done by hand". I touch people, which I consider a real privilege. I use my hands to help bring a patient's body back into balance and I use my touch to help move their spirit toward health. I touch not only with my hands, but my ears, my eyes, my heart and my intuition. I am a keen observer. I can see the surface and the depth; the current and the past. I see patterns and ask "What has helped other people with this pattern?" I focus on the underlying issue. What is the most efficient way forward? I am a doctor, a cheerleader, a trainer and a fierce momma bear.
    This is a second career for me. I graduated from Chiropractic school at age forty seven. Before that I was a technical project manager for AT&T and IBM. I had wanted to become a chiropractor for many years but didn't want to move my daughter away from her dad. So when she went to college, I went back to college. I had been a chiropractic patient for many years. After my daughter was born in 1985, I had difficulty walking. Someone suggested chiropractic. It helped and I felt so much better that I kept getting adjusted once or twice a month for years and brought my daughter as well. 
     As a chiropractic patient, I was adjusted by many different methods, from the typical cracking and twisting, to low force instruments, to zero-force energy-work. I found that gentle instrument adjusting using the Activator Protocol was what worked best for me. I'm a very sensitive and flexible person; my body needed a very gentle approach. After a typical Activator adjustment I would feel centered, lighter and more clear-headed. So naturally, in chiropractic school, I focused on Activator as my specialty.
     The Activator method is very analytical, very left brain: 1.) Test a reflex, 2.) See if it balances the body, 3.) Adjust in the direction of balance. Interestingly, I have noted that many advanced Activator practitioners develop intuition about which reflexes to test. And in my own practice, I've used the Activator Protocol to test my hunches. Because my intuition has been validated, over and over , I have developed faith in my intuitive sense, which is a real short-cut to the discovery of what the patient needs most.
     As a chiropractic patient, my favorite doctors used Applied Kinesiology (AK) to test what the patient needed. Applied Kinesiology is basically asking the body questions. What does that mean? Who are we asking? I have no idea. But I do know that it is in 100% agreement with the Activator Protocol, which is researched-based. I am not the first Activator doctor to discover this. Many of us believe that the reflex testing of Activator Protocol is, at root, Applied Kinesiology. 
     Several years ago I realized that there is no limit to what you can ask the body via AK. However, the first question I always ask is, "Can I ask this question?"  Sometimes the answer is "no" for whatever reason. Maybe it's not the right time to ask? In my practice, I use the Activator Method to do a thorough scan for spinal alignment then I use AK to ask about the alignment of every other bone in the body.  I may follow up by asking if there is muscle imbalance, food sensitivity, toxicity, recommended exercises, if a referral would be best, etc..
     Yesterday, my patient came in with severe buttock pain. Her M.D. had diagnosed piriformis syndrome, which is a form of sciatica. I used the Activator protocol to test the piriformis muscle. Negative, not the piriformis muscle. Then I used AK to ask her body "Is the sciatic nerve being irritated." (Yes), Is there physical pressure on the sciatic nerve?" (No). "Is there chemical irritation of the sciatic nerve." (No). [Chemical irritation of the nerve would include inflammation or toxicity.]  I opened my intuition, asking for the right question. "Is this referred pain from the gut?" (Yes)  "Is it from something she ate?" (Yes)  I stepped into my intuitive brain again to search for the answer/question. My intuition said "Non-wheat pasta."  I asked my patient, "Have you eaten non-wheat pasta in the last week?"  She replied, "Yes I eat gluten-free and I have eaten corn-based pasta and rice-based pasta."  I asked her body "Did the corn-based pasta cause the sciatic nerve irritation?" (Yes) "Does the rice-based pasta cause it?" (No).  I recommended to my patient that she eliminate corn from her diet completely. I also recommended an ionic foot bath, which will help pull the organic "corn-toxin" from her body. 
     Often, I'll open my intuition and find the question "Should we do energy work?"  I have been doing energy work for thirty years. At first just learning on my own, then studying with various masters. Energy-work, at it's most fundamental is using your intuitive sense to connect to another, to feel them similar to "knowing" that someone just walked into the room.  As a practitioner, my goal is to quiet my mind, and to allow love and connection to be present. That is deeply healing.  This is a human skill that anyone can learn. I recommend that you experiment doing energy-work with your loved-ones and pets. There are only two rules: 1.) Do not donate your energy to another and 2.) Do not take energy from another.  It is a practice in healthy boundaries and connection with love. No worries, if you bring love to the table you cannot go wrong. xxoo
     

Severe low back is often due to psoas and iliacus muscles spasm. These muscles are often referred to as "hip flexors", however they also bend and rotate the spine. A spasm of these muscles can recruit other muscles into spasm such as the abdominal muscles.
​
This type of spasm often occurs after an injury, after overworking the low back muscles and also after sitting for an extended period of time such as in a car or plane. Typically, a person with a psoas spasm will feel better while sitting, then when they arise from a chair they may need two or three steps before then can straighten to standing. Often a patient will have one side that is in spasm. These patients will either be flexed laterally or have their shoulders quite dramatically off to one side in relation to where their hips are.

About 60% of severe low back pain that I see in my Chiropractic office is due to low back muscle spasm. The psoas muscle is attached to the front of the vertebra and discs and can pull them out of place causing severe pain. A low back spasm can become chronic, so it is important to relax the muscle then improve core strength. 
​
Psoas and Iliopsoas Muscle Spasm Home Protocol
1.) Avoid Sitting especially long drives in car or on plane - If you must, don't drive and lean passenger car seat back as far as possible.
2.) Avoid walking long distances except around the house
3.) Wear a back brace if it helps 
4.)  Stretch Hip Flexor Muscles: Leg off side of bed, remember to bend opposite knee to protect/flatten low back curve. 
5.)  Do these Home Exercises to Align Your Sacroiliac Joints (2-3 x per day) to your comfort level.
6.) Gentle Core Exercises (2-3 x per day

• Do these on the floor at first, it will be easier than on the bed. 

7.) Water walk in pool or ocean for 20 - 30 minutes 1- 2 times per day. 
8.) Heat on Low Back and/or Lower Abdomen: 

• A spasm is a neurologically overactive muscle. It is not generally inflamed. However, you can have more than one thing going on so if you have increased pain after applying heat, discontinue.
• Heat: On 10 minutes, Off 10 minutes, On 10 minutes  2-3 times per day OR
• Heat 10 minutes, Ice 10 minutes, Heat 10 minutes OR
• If you prefer ice to heat: Ice: On 10 minutes, Off 10 minutes, On 10 minutes  2-3 times per day

9.) Chiropractic - Follow up every 2 -3 days until muscle spasm releases
10.) Try Muscle Relaxers:

• Not all muscle relaxers work for all people. That is true for natural muscle relaxers as well as perscription. You may need to try 2 or 3 before you find one that successfully releases the muscle spasm.
• You can be sensitive or allergic to any of these.  Discontinue if you have a negative reaction and seek medical help if the reaction is severe.

Natural muscle relaxers

• Magnesium (Oral supplement, and/or Epsom Salts bath, and/or rubbing wet Epsom Salts on your skin)
• Formula 303 (See attached for ingredients and potential drug interactions)
• CBD oil. Emory University Medical Center recommends Lazarus Naturals to their patients. I also recommend this product:  High Potency Full Spectrum CBD Tincture for muscle spasm. Side effects seem to be minimal and it is a central nervous system suppressant (it makes you relaxed and sleepy). I suggest starting with a 100 mg 1 to 2 per day and increase it to the point where it helps up to a maximum of 500 mg / day for 2-3 days. If CBD oil works as a muscle relaxer, you should not drive.

Prescription Muscle Relaxer

• Chiropractors do not subscribe medication so you will need to see an M.D. for these.
• We recommend Doctors Care in Bluffton, Sea Pine Circle Urgent Care, or Moss Creek Orthopedic Urgent Care
• As noted above, some patients do not respond to certain muscle relaxers and have to try 2 before they find one that is effective.
• If you find one that is effective take it for 2 - 3 days.
• You should not drive while taking a muscle relaxer.  

--
Kelley LeBlanc, D.C.
Kelley Chiropractic and Wellness
Village at Wexford
1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Ste K100
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 321-8119
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If your pain is in buttocks and back of thigh, but does not go below the knee you may have Piriformis Syndrome. This happens when the piriformis muscle (one of the major buttocks muscles) presses on the sciatic nerve. Piriformis syndrome can be caused by the piriformis muscle being
     a.) Too tight OR
     b.) Overstretched OR
     c.) Sprain/strained
 
1.) Reduce inflammation

• For 24 hours use this icing protocol: 10 minutes on painful-side buttocks / 10 minutes off / 10 minutes on again every 2 hours
• Use an over the counter anti-inflammatory treatment, i.e. NSAID and a topical anti-inflammatory
• After 24 hours use heat on the painful buttocks for 10 minutes 1-2x/day to interrupt the pain signal and increase blood flow. However, don't use heat more than this, it can cause inflammation.

2.) Gently Stretch

• It is difficult to tell yourself if the muscle is too tight or to overstretched. When doing the stretched listed below, shoot for the middle ground...a gentle stretch not an intense stretch. 
• Stretch both sides
• Do these stretches first: Gentle Knee to Chest Stretches for Low Back Arthritis  2 - 3 x per day or more.
• If your body says "I need more stretches"  Try this PT's 5 Best Sciatica Stretches for Piriformis Syndrome .  Listen to your body - don't overstretch or push yourself if any of these stretches are very difficult.

3.) Strengthen

• Strengthening exercises help to normalize and stabilize muscle function.
• Do these gentle strengthening exercises first:  4 Exercises for Back Spasm Relief - Stretch and Core Strengthen.  2 - 3 x per day or more. 
  • These are not just for spasm. They gently strengthen the low back, core and buttocks.
  • If these exercises are very easy, increase the intensity to your level of comfort. You can move your body higher, hold your body position longer, and/or do more repetitions. 
  • Always it is most important to listen to your body.

4.)  Balance Exercises

• When a muscle/tendon/ligament is injured as in sprain/strain, the neurological loop with the brain gets out of sync.  The best rehab exercise for a sprain/strain is balance exercise, which strengthens and also resets the neurological loop. 
• NOTE: 
  • If you are elderly, have osteoporosis or have poor balance ability: Be safe and hold on to a counter or door frame while doing balance exercise. Balance ability usually increase rapidly, so don't get discouraged. Do a little bit, at least 3 times a day.
• Do balance exercises for 5 minutes, 3-5 times per day (or more).   
• While doing balance exercise, do not look at your feet. Look across the room or into the distance.
• If you stand on one foot, try to hold your pelvis level.
• Here are balance tools/methods from easier to more difficult:
  • Simply stand on one leg at a time while holding on to a counter or door frame
  • Stand on both feet and/or one foot while using a  balance pad, which provides slight instability.
  • Stand on both feet and/or one foot while using a  balance disc, which provides moderate instability.  
  • Stand on both feet and/or one foot while using a wobble board, which provides a lot of instability.
  • If you use a BOSU ball, stand on the flat side, not the round side. Otherwise you will injure your ankles. This also provides a lot of instability.
• As your balance improves, increasingly challenge yourself by moving your legs, closing your eyes, etc. 
• Always during balance exercises:
  • Be safe
  • Don't look at your feet
  • Hold your pelvis level

The above assumes piriformis muscle pressure on the sciatic nerve.  Here are other common issues that could be causing sciatic-like pain.

• Disc Herniation:  If you pain  is in buttocks, back of thigh and also into the calf and/or foot you may have an inflamed lumbar disc pressing a one or more of the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. Here is the Home Protocol for Sciatica due to Disc Injury. 
• ITB Syndrome: If you have pain at the lateral thigh and lateral knee you may have ITB Syndrome; Try this PT's IT Band Syndrome Stretches & Exercises.  Listen to your body - don't overstretch or push yourself if any of these stretches are very difficult.

- 

Kelley LeBlanc, D.C.
Kelley Chiropractic and Wellness
Village at Wexford
1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Ste K100
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 321-8119
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Sciatica: What is it and how is it treated? via Web MD

If you have 10/10 low back and or leg pain you may want to visit Moss Creek Orthopedic Urgent Care, (843) 836-7022  for an MRI, steroid injection, muscle relaxers and/or pain medication.

Home Care Protocol for Sciatica:
1.) Avoid Sitting. Laying on your back removes pressure on the lumbar disc, standing is somewhere between.
2.) Don't lift more than 5 lbs. When you cough or sneeze, support yourself by holding a pillow on your stomach.
3.) Reduce inflammation and feed the disc

• For 24 hours use this icing protocol: 10 minutes on low back / 10 minutes off / 10 minutes on again every 2 hours
• Use an over the counter anti-inflammatory treatment, i.e. NSAID and a topical anti-inflammatory
•  Take a disc-feeding supplement such as Glucosamine with Chondroitin Turmeric MSM Boswellia. Tumeric and Boswellia are spices that have an anti-inflammatory effect  

4.) Do NOT use heat on the low back. It might feel good, but it can exacerbate inflammation, making you worse.
5.)  If you have very acute low back pain 9-10/10 try this: Extreme Low Back Pain, Sciatica, Disc Herniation - Gentle Traction  2 - 3x per day or more
6.) If you can do #5 with ease try this: Gentle Knee to Chest Stretches for Low Back Arthritis  2 - 3 x per day or more
7.) If you can do #6 with ease try this for 10 minutes, 2 - 3 x per day or more: Lay with your back on a (cushioned) floor with your feet over an ottoman.
8.) If you can do # 7 with ease try this 10 minutes, 2 - 3 x per day or more: Lay on your back with your feet up the wall...You do NOT need to straighten your legs on the wall. 

#7 and #8 - These stretches gently traction the low back and send fresh healing blood to the area of injury. They are very simple but highly effective. There is no upper limit on how long you can stay in this position, but stay for at least 10 minutes 2-3x/day.

9.) If your sciatica is caused by a disc injury, you might feel better before the disc is healed. Remember reinjuring an already injured disc can get you into real trouble. A disc that might have healed in a few weeks could be reinjured and could take 6 months to a year to recover.

The above assumes a disc injury.  Here are other common issues that could be causing sciatic-like pain.

• Piriformis Syndrome:  If you pain  is in buttocks and back of thigh, but does not go below the knee you may have Piriformis Syndrome:  Try this PT's 5 Best Sciatica Stretches for Piriformis Syndrome .  Listen to your body - don't overstretch or push yourself if any of these stretches are very difficult.
• ITB Syndrome: If you have pain at the lateral thigh and lateral knee you may have ITB Syndrome; Try this PT's IT Band Syndrome Stretches & Exercises.  Listen to your body - don't overstretch or push yourself if any of these stretches are very difficult.

- 
Kelley LeBlanc, D.C.
Kelley Chiropractic and Wellness
Village at Wexford
1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Ste K100
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 321-8119
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11/8/19 Case Study: Successful treatment of severe low back pain due to spasm using chiropractic and Subconscious Emotional Release.

Female patient with constant severe low back pain (LBP). Used supine relative leg length analysis to ask yes/no questions. We established that for her, while supine, her the right leg becoming short meant "Yes". Legs staying even meant "No".  Since a patient has no conscious control over leg length, it is assumed the answers to these questions come at a subconscious level. 

The following questions were asked:

• Is the low LBP related to her history of spinal tumor? "No" (Legs even)
• Is it related to muscle spasm? "Yes" (Right leg 2" short)
• Is there an emotional component? "Yes" (same response)
• Do we have permission to work on that? "Yes"

Continued to determine several factors:

• Number associated with LBP? "1" -> legs even (no), "2" ->no, "3" -> R leg shorted 2" on "3", "4" through "9" ->legs even.  So factor is “2”.
• Which negative feeling (on the B.E.S.T. chart) is associated with LBP?  "A".... to "G". R leg sort on "B" and then "9". B9 on the chart is "Giving". "Giving" in this case had a negative association.
• Which positive feeling (on the chart)? C7: “Loyalty”

Those factors as well as eye placement, touch on meridian points and breath were used to stimulate multiple neuro pathways at once. The goal is to weaken/unlock the underlying subconscious neuro pattern to allow feeling(s) to arise, so that they can be processed. The unlocked subsconscious pattern can also be processed via dreams.

Post Adjustment: Patient had 0/10 pain and was able to move normally.