Wertz Chiropractic

09/24/2026

📢 New Research on Chiropractic Neck Adjustments & Artery Dissection

A large new 2026 study provides important information about a question we occasionally hear from patients: Do chiropractic neck adjustments increase the risk of a cervical artery dissection (a rare tear in an artery of the neck)?

Researchers studied 862,984 adults who sought care for a new episode of neck pain or headache.

They compared patients who received chiropractic cervical spinal manipulation with similar patients who received medical care and were prescribed ibuprofen.

The study found NO increased risk of cervical artery dissection following chiropractic cervical manipulation.

Within 30 days:

• Chiropractic group: 31 cases among 431,492 patients
• Medical/ibuprofen group: 58 cases among 431,492 patients

One of the most important points from this research is that a developing cervical artery dissection can itself cause neck pain or headache before it is diagnosed. In other words, some patients may seek treatment for symptoms that are actually being caused by an artery problem that has already begun.

This is why a thorough history and examination—and recognizing when symptoms require medical evaluation—is such an important part of caring for patients with neck pain and headaches.

The researchers appropriately caution that this was an observational study and does not prove that a cervical artery dissection could never occur following manipulation. However, in this very large group of patients, chiropractic cervical manipulation was not associated with an increased risk of cervical artery dissection compared with medical treatment.

It's encouraging to see large-scale research continue to help us better understand both the effectiveness and safety of the care we provide.

📍 Wertz Chiropractic
3105 Village Office Place
Champaign, IL 61822
📞 217-352-9108
🌐 wertzchiro.com

Study: Trager et al., Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 2026.

09/03/2026

🎒 Everything You Need to Know About Backpacks for Healthy Spines

Backpacks are part of everyday life for kids and teens, but how they’re packed and worn can make a big difference in the amount of stress placed on the neck, shoulders, and back.

A few simple backpack habits can help:

• Keep it light — aim for no more than about 10–15% of your child’s body weight.
• Use both shoulder straps instead of carrying the backpack over one shoulder.
• Adjust the straps for a snug fit so the backpack stays close to the body rather than hanging low.
• Pack heavier items closest to the back and use compartments to distribute the load.
• Look for wide, padded shoulder straps and use a chest or waist strap when available.
• Clean it out regularly! Books, papers, water bottles, and unnecessary items can add up quickly.

🚩 Pay attention if your child complains of back, neck, or shoulder pain, develops numbness or tingling, leans forward while carrying the backpack, or has deep marks from the shoulder straps.

One easy thing to try tonight: weigh your child's fully loaded backpack and see how it compares to their body weight.

Small changes can make a big difference. Healthy habits today can help support healthy spines tomorrow!

📍 Wertz Chiropractic
3105 Village Office Place
Champaign, IL 61822
📞 217-352-9108
🌐 wertzchiro.com

08/25/2026

Back injuries can happen in an instant—but many are preventable with a few simple precautions.

Whether you’re working around the house, exercising, doing yardwork, or simply sitting at a desk all day, keep these tips in mind:

• Lift smart — bend at your knees, keep the load close, and avoid twisting while lifting.
• Stay active — regular movement helps maintain strength, mobility, and flexibility.
• Pay attention to posture — especially during long periods of sitting or computer work.
• Maintain a healthy weight — extra weight can increase stress on the lower back.
• Sleep supportively — choose positions and a mattress that allow you to rest comfortably.
• Stay hydrated — good hydration supports the tissues throughout your body, including the discs of your spine.

And one of the most important tips: **don’t ignore persistent back pain.** Addressing a problem early may help keep a minor issue from becoming a bigger one.

Your spine works hard for you every day. Take care of it!

Wertz Chiropractic
Champaign, IL

08/07/2026

**We're Hiring! Chiropractic Assistant**

Wertz Chiropractic is looking for a friendly, reliable, and motivated individual to join our team as a **Chiropractic Assistant**.

If you enjoy helping people, staying busy, and working in a positive healthcare environment, we'd love to hear from you!

**What we're looking for:**
✅ Friendly and compassionate
✅ Dependable and punctual
✅ Strong communication and customer service skills
✅ Ability to multitask in a fast-paced office
✅ Comfortable using computers (Microsoft Office experience is helpful)
✅ No previous chiropractic or medical office experience required—we will provide training!

**What you'll do:**
You'll be cross-trained in many areas of our office, including:
• Greeting and checking patients in and out
• Scheduling appointments
• Answering phones, texts, and emails
• Assisting with patient therapies
• Maintaining patient records
• Insurance and administrative tasks
• Supporting our providers and helping our office run smoothly each day

**Hours:**
• Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
• Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM

**Benefits:**
• Matching IRA retirement plan

If you're looking for a career where you can positively impact others while working alongside a great team, we'd love to meet you!

Please send your resume to:
[email protected]

Feel free to share this post with someone who may be a great fit!

07/28/2026

We are excited to welcome Dr. Jamie Plackett, PT, DPT to Wertz Chiropractic beginning July 30, 2026!

Jamie is an independent pelvic health physical therapist who will be seeing patients at our office on Thursdays. She is dedicated to helping individuals of all genders achieve optimal health and function through personalized, evidence-based care. While she welcomes patients with a wide range of pelvic health concerns, she has a special passion for supporting women through life's transitions, including pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and perimenopause.

Jamie treats a variety of conditions, including:

• Pelvic pain
• Urinary and bowel dysfunction
• Core weakness
• Lumbopelvic and hip disorders
• Pregnancy-related discomfort
• Diastasis recti
• Postpartum rehabilitation
• And many other pelvic health conditions affecting people across the lifespan

Jamie believes healing is about more than treating symptoms. Every person is unique, which is why she develops individualized treatment plans that consider the whole person—not just the diagnosis. Her whole-body approach recognizes the connection between movement, physical health, emotional well-being, stress, and lifestyle, helping patients restore balance physically, mentally, and emotionally.

She is committed to creating a welcoming, supportive environment where every patient feels heard, respected, and empowered throughout their healing journey. By combining evidence-based physical therapy with compassionate, individualized care, Jamie partners with each person to reduce pain, restore function, and improve quality of life so they can confidently return to the activities that matter most.

Please join us in welcoming Jamie! We are excited to have her providing pelvic health physical therapy services from our office and know she will be a wonderful resource for our community.

06/24/2026

Understanding the Basics of Chiropractic Care for Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek healthcare, but many people don't fully understand what chiropractic care actually does.

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper movement and function to the spine and surrounding joints. When joints aren't moving well, the muscles, ligaments, and nerves around them can become irritated, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility.

Many patients are surprised to learn that treatment often includes much more than adjustments. Depending on the individual, care may include:

✅ Chiropractic adjustments
✅ Mobility and stretching recommendations
✅ Strengthening exercises
✅ Ergonomic and posture advice
✅ Lifestyle modifications

The goal isn't simply to mask symptoms—it's to help improve function and address underlying mechanical issues contributing to your pain.

If back pain is limiting your ability to work, exercise, sleep, or enjoy life, chiropractic care may be able to help.

📞 Call 217-352-9108 to schedule an appointment.

05/25/2026

We are excited to officially welcome Hannah Burkiett, Licensed Massage Therapist, to the Wertz Chiropractic team beginning May 26th!

At Wertz Chiropractic, we are always looking for ways to help our patients move better, recover faster, and get even better results. Adding therapeutic massage services is another way we can support our patients and provide more complete care.

Hannah brings training in therapeutic massage, kinesiology, sports performance, and soft tissue treatment. She will be helping patients with:

✔ Neck and shoulder tension
✔ Headaches and stress-related tightness
✔ Low back pain and muscle spasms
✔ Recovery and mobility work
✔ General muscle tightness and stiffness

We are now scheduling:

• 15-minute focused therapeutic muscle work sessions
• 30-minute therapeutic massage sessions
• 60 & 90-minute massage appointments

Many patients find that combining therapeutic muscle work with chiropractic adjustments helps them loosen up, move better, and improve how well their adjustments hold.

We would love for you to give Hannah a try and experience the difference for yourself!

Appointments begin May 26th and availability will be limited as we get started.

Call our office, send us a message, or ask our front desk team to reserve your appointment.

📍 Wertz Chiropractic
🌐

Discover gentle, effective chiropractic care in Champaign, IL. Wertz Chiropractic helps you feel better, move better, and live better with personalized, honest care

04/16/2026

What Is a Disc Bulge? And How Do You Treat It?

Many people hear the term “disc bulge” on an MRI or X-ray report and immediately worry that something serious is wrong with their spine.

The good news is that disc bulges are very common and often respond well to conservative care.

Your spine contains intervertebral discs, which act like cushions between the bones of your spine. Over time or after injury, a disc can begin to bulge outward beyond its normal boundary.

This can sometimes irritate nearby nerves and cause symptoms such as:

• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Sciatica or pain down the leg
• Numbness or tingling
• Stiffness with movement

The goal of treatment is reducing pressure on the disc and improving spinal movement.

At Wertz Chiropractic, treatment may include:

✔ Chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal motion
✔ Targeted exercises to strengthen supporting muscles
✔ Posture and ergonomic recommendations
✔ Stretching to relieve tension around the spine
✔ Lifestyle recommendations to prevent further irritation

Many disc bulges improve without surgery, especially when addressed early with the right treatment plan.

If you're experiencing back or neck pain and want to understand what's causing it, we're happy to help.

📍 Wertz Chiropractic
🌐 www.wertzchiro.com

03/05/2026

What Is a Disc Bulge?

Many people hear the term “disc bulge” on an MRI report and immediately worry that something is seriously wrong with their spine. The good news is that many disc bulges can improve with the right care and movement strategies.

Your spine is made up of bones (vertebrae) separated by cushions called discs. These discs act like shock absorbers and allow your spine to move and bend.

A disc bulge happens when a disc pushes outward beyond its normal space. This can irritate nearby nerves and may cause symptoms such as:

✔ Low back pain
✔ Pain that travels into the buttock or leg
✔ Tingling or numbness
✔ Stiffness when bending or sitting

Common Causes

• Repetitive bending or lifting
• Poor posture
• Sports or work injuries
• Degenerative changes over time

How We Help Treat Disc Bulges

At Wertz Chiropractic, treatment may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments to restore spinal movement
• Targeted exercises to improve stability
• Posture and movement coaching
• Soft tissue work to reduce muscle tension
• Lifestyle recommendations to reduce stress on the spine

Most people improve with conservative care and proper rehabilitation.

If you’re dealing with back pain or have been told you have a disc bulge, we can help guide you through the right next steps.

📍 Wertz Chiropractic
🌐 www.wertzchiro.com

📞 Call today to schedule an evaluation

03/03/2026

The Different Types of Back Pain — And What Might Be Causing Yours

Not all back pain is the same.

Understanding what type of back pain you’re dealing with is the first step toward getting the right treatment.

Here are some of the most common types we see at Wertz Chiropractic:

🔹 Muscle Strain
Often caused by lifting, twisting, overuse, or poor posture. Usually feels tight, achy, and sore.

🔹 Herniated or Bulging Disc
Can cause sharp pain, numbness, or tingling — sometimes traveling into the leg (sciatica).

🔹 Arthritis
More common as we age. Often causes stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting.

🔹 Sciatica
Radiating pain from the low back into the buttock or down the leg due to nerve irritation.

Common Causes of Back Pain:

✔ Poor posture (especially desk work)
✔ Heavy lifting
✔ Sports injuries
✔ Repetitive movements
✔ Degeneration over time

The good news? Most back pain responds very well to the right combination of chiropractic care, movement guidance, and strengthening.

If you're experiencing back pain — don’t ignore it and hope it goes away.

We can help.

📍 Wertz Chiropractic – Champaign, IL
🌐 www.wertzchiro.com

📞 Call today to schedule an evaluation