September Newsletter

National Cheese Day-September 5^th

Labor Day-Monday, September 7^th

Grandparents Day-Sunday, September 13^th

Changing Seasons, Changing Bodies

How Fall Weather Can Affect the Way You Feel

As September arrives, we start to notice cooler mornings, shorter days, changing routines, and fluctuating temperatures. While we may enjoy the crisp fall air, the transition from summer to fall can also change how our bodies move, feel, and function.

From a chiropractic perspective, this is a great time to pay a little extra attention to your spine, joints, muscles, and daily habits.

Temperatures = Stiffer Muscles & Joints

Have you ever noticed that your body feels a little tighter when you first step outside on a cool morning?
When temperatures drop, muscles may feel less flexible, and people with existing joint or muscle problems may notice more stiffness or discomfort. Add in chilly mornings followed by warmer afternoons, and September's temperature swings can sometimes leave you feeling a little more achy than usual.

Fall Activities Can Challenge Your Back

Raking leaves, cleaning gutters, carrying decorations, gardening, and preparing the house for winter all involve bending, lifting, twisting, and reaching—sometimes for hours at a time.
Those repetitive movements can put extra stress on the low back, neck, shoulders, and hips, especially when we try to get everything done in one weekend! 
Remember to switch sides while raking, take frequent breaks, bend through your knees and hips when lifting, and avoid twisting while carrying something heavy.

Less Daylight Can Change Our Routine

Shorter days often mean we're spending more time indoors and sometimes moving less than we did during summer.

Less activity can contribute to muscle tightness and stiffness, particularly if you're spending more time sitting at a desk, on the couch, or in the car.

Try to keep moving throughout the fall. Even a short daily walk, stretching routine, or movement break can help keep your spine and joints mobile. 

Does Weather Really Make You Ache?
Many people swear they can "feel a storm coming." While the relationship between weather and joint pain isn't completely understood, some people do report changes in pain or stiffness with shifts in temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure.
Whether it's the weather itself or the changes in our activity that come with it, paying attention to what makes your body feel better—or worse—can be helpful.

Give Your Body a Fall Tune-Up

Chiropractic care can help address joint restrictions, muscle tension, mobility, posture, and mechanical aches and pains that may become more noticeable as your activities and routines change.

Think of fall as a reminder to check in with your body:

Are you moving well? Sleeping well? Feeling stiff when you get up? Noticing more headaches, neck tension, or back discomfort?

A seasonal change can be the perfect time to get back into healthy routines, stay active, and make your spinal and overall wellness a priority.

Feel Good This Fall!

Don't wait until that little ache becomes a bigger problem. Keep moving, stay hydrated, stretch, get plenty of rest, and make chiropractic care part of your fall wellness routine.

Murphy Chiropractic Center

Call: 573-221-1075

Text: 573-577-8223

Book your appointment today!

                                    Note from Abbie:

I wanted to say Thank You to Murphy Chiropractic Health Center staff and all the patients for the past 4.5 years. This has been the best job, outside of raising my kids and I have loved working with all of you each week! A new chapter is beginning in my life. I will be a parent educator for Palmyra Parents as Teachers now, but I will continue working Saturdays at the office! So, I will be able to see some of you then. ?

Thank you, Abbie Moore

Eat for the season. 
Build meals around colorful fruits and vegetables, protein, healthy fats, and fiber-rich foods to provide the nutrients your body needs.

To make it: 

Roast the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts at 425°F for 25–30 minutes, tossing halfway through. Season and sauté the chicken until cooked through. Divide the greens among bowls and top with the roasted vegetables, chicken, apple, cranberries, and nuts. Drizzle with the Maple Dijon dressing.

Why it’s a great fall meal: You get lean protein from the chicken, fiber and complex carbohydrates from the sweet potatoes and vegetables, healthy fats from the nuts and olive oil, and plenty of colorful plant foods in one meal.

? Newsletter Tip: Prep the chicken and roasted vegetables ahead of time for an easy fall lunch throughout the week.

September Essential Oil Spotlight: Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus has a fresh, clean, cooling aroma that makes it especially popular during fall and winter.

• Fresh, open-feeling aroma: Diffusing eucalyptus can create a refreshing environment that many people enjoy when they're feeling stuffy or during seasonal changes. 
• Shower & steam: Place a few drops on the shower floor away from direct skin contact, or use in a shower-safe diffuser for a spa-like eucalyptus steam experience.

• Refreshing massage: Dilute with a carrier oil and massage into tired muscles after exercise, yard work, or a busy day.
• Focus & clarity: Its crisp scent can create an invigorating atmosphere when you're feeling sluggish or need to concentrate.
• Freshens rooms: Diffuse to help combat stale or musty odors and give your home or office a clean scent.
• DIY cleaning: Eucalyptus is commonly incorporated into homemade cleaning products for its fresh fragrance.
• Pairs well with other oils: Try it with Lemon, Peppermint, Lavender, Rosemary, or Tea Tree.

Safety: Don't ingest eucalyptus essential oil unless a specific product is labeled for that use and you're following its directions. Dilute appropriately for skin use, avoid the eyes and mucous membranes, and use extra caution around young children and pets.

We have a variety of oils for sale in the office, if there is something we don’t have on hand, we can order it. Roller or spray blends can be made in the office. Let us know if we can help you!!

?Yes, We're Open During Construction!
If you've driven by our office lately, you've probably noticed all the construction happening on Mark Twain Avenue. While the project is making great progress, we want to reassure all of our patients that

Murphy Chiropractic Center is OPEN and ready to serve you!

Temporary Driveway Access
Our temporary driveway is now open and provides easy access to our parking lot throughout construction. Simply follow the construction signs and use the gravel entrance shown in the photo to the right.
We know construction can make it look like businesses are difficult to reach, but we promise—getting to your appointment is much easier than it appears!
Whether you're coming in for chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, or a wellness visit, we're here to help you feel your best.
Thank you for your patience and for continuing to support local businesses during this important community improvement project. We truly appreciate every one of our patients and look forward to seeing you soon!

UPDATE: Week of August 31, construction crews started forming and pouring sidewalks. 

Juice Plus is a great way to bridge the gap to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables and berries you eat every day. Some of you are probably not eating many fruits, vegetables and berries every day. And some of you aren't eating any of these food groups. This is a good way to improve your overall health and improve your immune system. 

• Contact Wendy Murphy/Certified Health Coach
• wmurphy15@gmail.com or wmurphy.juiceplus.com
• Phone: 573-795-1066

Newsletter Articles
September 2026

• Chiropractic Care and Recovery After a Whiplash Injury
• Birth Stress, Feeding Difficulties and the Infant Spine
• Chiropractic Care Linked to Increased Disc Height in the Neck
• Chiropractic Care May Help Improve the Neck's "Internal GPS"

Chiropractic Care and Recovery After a Whiplash Injury

A motor vehicle collision can place tremendous stress on the neck, sometimes leaving problems that continue long after the crash itself. A case report published in Cureus on August 26, 2026, followed a 27-year-old man who developed neck pain, low back pain, daily headaches, lightheadedness, nausea, difficulty sleeping, brain fog, and other symptoms after being struck from behind at approximately 40 miles per hour. His symptoms began within about 30 minutes of the collision and continued during the weeks that followed.

When he was evaluated about a month after the accident, he was experiencing constant neck and low back pain along with daily headaches. Standard disability questionnaires showed moderate disability related to his neck, headaches, and low back. Examination also revealed restricted and painful neck movement, muscle tightness, weakness in several movements, and significant postural changes. X-rays showed that his head was positioned nearly 60 millimeters forward of its ideal position and that the normal forward curve of his neck had been almost completely lost.

The patient then began a course of chiropractic care aimed at improving spinal alignment, posture, and function. After 24 visits over approximately three and three-quarter months, his low back pain had improved by 80 percent, while his neck pain and headaches had improved by about 20 percent. His disability scores also improved substantially, and follow-up X-rays showed early improvement in both his forward head position and the curve of his neck.

Care continued for a total of 48 visits over six and a half months. By that point, the patient reported that his low back pain had completely resolved and that his neck pain and headaches had improved by about 90 percent. Difficulty sleeping had resolved, while brain fog, lightheadedness, nausea, shortness of breath, and several other complaints had also improved dramatically. His neck and low-back disability scores had fallen to almost zero, and his range of motion and neurological testing had largely returned to normal.

The changes were not limited to how the patient felt. Follow-up x-rays documented substantial structural improvement in the neck. His forward head position decreased from 59.9 millimeters to 25.6 millimeters after six and a half months and improved further to 21.9 millimeters at the 17-month follow-up. The curve of his neck also improved considerably. Importantly, these structural changes were still present 17 months later, while his neck and low back pain remained at zero and his headache disability remained very low.

This case is encouraging because improvements in pain, disability, posture, and spinal structure occurred together and were maintained well beyond the initial period of chiropractic care. It provides another example of how addressing spinal alignment, function, and subluxation following a whiplash-type injury may be an important part of helping patients achieve lasting recovery.

Birth Stress, Feeding Difficulties and the Infant Spine

The birth process can place considerable physical stress on a newborn's developing body, particularly the neck, head and jaw. Research published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - Chiropractic on July 1, 2026, examined the records of 145 infants from birth through 12 months of age who were brought to a chiropractic office for care. The researchers looked for patterns involving pregnancy and delivery, the babies' health concerns, and findings during their chiropractic examinations.

The babies were quite young, averaging just over two months old, and many were brought to the chiropractor for more than one concern. Breastfeeding difficulty was by far the most common problem, affecting nearly 78% of the infants. Other frequent concerns included torticollis, or a persistent turning or tilting of the head, in about 57%; a diagnosis of posterior tongue-tie in about 54%; gassiness in 37%; flattening or asymmetry of the head in 28%; and colic in 26%. Reflux, difficulty with tummy time and bowel problems were also reported.

When researchers examined the babies' birth histories, they found that many had experienced potentially stressful labor and delivery circumstances. About 72% of the mothers reported prolonged labor, and roughly two-thirds pushed for more than 45 minutes. More than half reported receiving Pitocin for either induction or augmentation of labor, and more than half received an epidural. Abnormal positioning of the baby before or during delivery was also common, while some deliveries involved Cesarean section, vacuum extraction or forceps.

The physical examinations revealed another striking pattern. Every infant was found to have increased muscle tension in the cervical spine, while nearly 99% had swelling around cervical joints and about 89% demonstrated a head tilt or rotation. Nearly 79% showed facial wincing during spinal examination, approximately two-thirds had restriction involving muscles important for swallowing and jaw movement, and more than half showed dysfunction involving the jaw joint. Cranial asymmetry was also identified in nearly 45% of the infants.

These findings are important because successful breastfeeding requires remarkable coordination between the baby's neck, jaw, tongue, swallowing muscles and nervous system. The researchers discussed how stress or subluxation involving the upper neck, skull and jaw could potentially interfere with an infant's ability to comfortably turn the head, open the mouth, latch effectively and coordinate sucking and swallowing. The same types of physical restrictions may also help explain why breastfeeding difficulties were frequently seen alongside torticollis and head asymmetry in this group of babies.

This research was a review of infants already brought for chiropractic care and did not include a comparison group. What it does show is a strong pattern connecting birth-related stresses, common infant complaints and physical findings involving the neck, head and jaw. The researchers concluded that chiropractors caring for infants should carefully evaluate this entire area for subluxation and functional restrictions, especially when parents are struggling with breastfeeding, torticollis, head asymmetry or other early infant challenges.

Chiropractic Care Linked to Increased Disc Height in the Neck

The discs between the bones of your neck play an important role in keeping your spine flexible, absorbing stress, and maintaining enough space for nerves to leave the spinal column. When those discs lose height, the spaces around the spinal nerves can become smaller and the way forces are distributed through the neck can change. A study published August 5, 2026, in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research examined whether measurable changes in these spinal structures occurred in people receiving chiropractic care over a one-year period.

Researchers reviewed the records and neck X-rays of 45 chiropractic patients, 25 women and 20 men, with an average age of about 52. Thirty-eight of the patients had complete X-ray measurements available throughout the study. Their most common complaints involved the neck, followed by the shoulders, lower back, arms, and mid-back. X-rays were taken when the patients first began care and again after approximately three months, six months, and twelve months.

One of the main measurements was the height of the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae from C2 through C7 in the neck. These discs act somewhat like cushions between the spinal bones. They help distribute pressure, allow movement, and maintain openings through which spinal nerves travel. Over the twelve months of chiropractic care, disc height increased significantly at every level of the neck that was measured. This was an objective change that could be seen and measured on the patients' follow-up x-rays.

The researchers also looked at two other measurements: how far forward the head was positioned in relation to the lower neck and the natural curve of the cervical spine. Although these measurements changed somewhat during the year, the changes were not statistically significant. What was particularly interesting was that, as care continued, the relationships between disc height, spinal curvature, and head position became more closely connected. The researchers suggested that this may indicate that the neck was functioning as a more coordinated mechanical system rather than depending on one area to compensate for another.

Why could greater disc height be important? Maintaining adequate space between the vertebrae helps preserve the openings for spinal nerves and contributes to normal movement and stability of the spine. Loss of disc height is commonly associated with spinal degeneration and can place additional stress on joints and surrounding tissues. The findings therefore raise an intriguing possibility that chiropractic care directed toward improving spinal function and correcting vertebral subluxation may be associated with favorable structural changes within the cervical spine, not simply changes in how a patient feels.

This study is particularly noteworthy because the improvements were not based solely on patients reporting less pain or greater mobilit, they were measured on x-rays over an entire year. The finding of significant increases throughout multiple levels of the cervical spine provides interesting objective evidence that the spine may be capable of measurable structural change during a course of chiropractic care.

Chiropractic Care May Help Improve the Neck's "Internal GPS"

Most of us rarely think about how we know exactly where our head is positioned, even when our eyes are closed. This ability is called proprioception, and it is part of the nervous system's built-in awareness of where the body is in space. Proprioception helps with balance, posture, coordination, and smooth movement. Research published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research on August 21, 2026, examined whether chiropractic care could immediately influence this important neurological function.

The randomized clinical trial included 72 adults who were seeking chiropractic care for neck pain. Researchers divided them into two groups: 51 people received a single upper cervical chiropractic adjustment, while 21 served as a comparison group before receiving their adjustment. The researchers were interested in much more than whether the participants felt better. They wanted to objectively measure how accurately the brain and nervous system could sense the position of the head and neck.

To test this, participants sat upright, closed their eyes, moved their heads forward, backward, and to each side, and then attempted to return to their original starting position. A computerized measuring system recorded how far off they were each time. In other words, the test measured how accurately the nervous system could guide the head back to where it started without relying on vision. The smaller the error, the better the person's cervical proprioception.

The results following just one chiropractic adjustment were impressive. Head-positioning error decreased by approximately 52% when bending the head forward, 54% when extending backward, 42% when turning to the left, and 53% when turning to the right. These improvements were statistically significant in every direction tested. The comparison group did not demonstrate the same pattern of improvement before receiving chiropractic care. This suggests that the change was more than simply becoming familiar with the test.

Why might the upper neck have such an influence? The muscles and joints of the upper cervical spine contain a large number of specialized sensory receptors that continually send information to the brain about movement and position. When joint dysfunction or vertebral subluxation interferes with this sensory information, the brain may receive less accurate feedback about what the neck is doing. The researchers suggest that improving joint function through chiropractic care may help normalize this flow of information between the neck and the nervous system.

This study is especially interesting because the researchers measured an immediate, objective change in nervous system function, rather than relying only on reports of pain relief. The study did not determine how long the improvement lasted, so those results should not be interpreted as proof of a permanent change. Still, seeing substantial improvements in head-position awareness immediately following chiropractic care adds to the growing evidence that chiropractic may influence much more than how the spine feels, it may also affect how effectively the spine and nervous system communicate.