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In this episode of the Living Wellness Chiropractic podcast, Dr. Reed breaks down one of the most common complaints he and Dr. Jenney see in their Columbia, Maryland practice — back pain — and what you can do to stop it before it starts. From posture tips to movement habits, this episode is packed with practical advice you can start using today. Dr. Reed explains why so many cases of back pain are preventable and how small daily changes can make a big difference over time. Whether you’re dealing with occasional stiffness or trying to stay ahead of chronic discomfort, this episode gives you the tools to take control of your spinal health. Tune in and take the first step toward a healthier, pain-free back with guidance from the team at Living Wellness Chiropractic.
Hey there, and welcome back. You are listening to the Living Wellness Chiropractic podcast, coming to you from right here in Columbia, Maryland. I am Dr. Reed, and today I want to talk about something that affects so many of us — back pain. Specifically, how to prevent it from taking over your life in the first place.
Now, here is the thing. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people come see us. And honestly, a lot of it is preventable. Dr. Jenney and I talk about this with patients every single day. Small, simple habits — done consistently — can make a massive difference in how your spine feels and how you move through life.
So let us get into it.
First up — how you sit matters more than you think. Most of us are sitting for hours every day. At a desk, in the car, on the couch. And when we sit, we tend to slouch forward, rounding the lower back. Over time, that puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the discs in your spine. Here is what I want you to try. When you sit down, think about stacking your ears over your shoulders, and your shoulders over your hips. Your feet should be flat on the floor. Your screen should be roughly at eye level. You do not have to be perfectly stiff and rigid — just aware. Set a timer on your phone if you need to. Every thirty minutes, stand up, take a few steps, reset your posture. That little habit alone can change everything.
Now here is something Dr. Jenney and I both emphasize a lot — movement is medicine. Your spine craves movement. It actually gets its nutrition from movement. When we stay still for too long, the muscles around the spine tighten up, circulation decreases, and things start to ache. So the simple fix? Move more throughout your day. A short walk in the morning. Gentle stretching before bed. Even just rolling your shoulders and taking a few deep breaths at your desk. None of this has to be complicated. Consistency beats intensity every single time.
And the third habit — and this one surprises people — is sleep position. The way you sleep can either help your spine recover overnight or keep it stressed out for eight hours straight. The best positions for your back are either on your side with a pillow between your knees, or on your back with a pillow under your knees. Both of these take pressure off the lower back and let the spine decompress while you rest. Sleeping on your stomach, on the other hand, tends to put the neck and lower back in a twisted position for hours. If you are a stomach sleeper, just try shifting to your side. Give it a week or two and see how you feel.
So to recap — be mindful of how you sit, keep your body moving throughout the day, and check in on how you are sleeping. These are not complicated things. They are small adjustments that add up in a big way.
Now, if you are already dealing with back pain — or if you have been noticing stiffness, tension, or discomfort that keeps coming back — that is a signal worth paying attention to. Dr. Jenney and I are here to help figure out what is actually going on and get you moving and feeling better. We do not believe in masking symptoms. We want to get to the root of it.
If you are in the Columbia, Maryland area and you want to come in for an evaluation, we would love to see you at Living Wellness Chiropractic. You can reach us through our website or give us a call. New patients are always welcome, and we will take the time to actually listen to what you are going through.
Thank you so much for tuning in today. Take care of your spine — it is the only one you have got. And we will see you next time right here on the Living Wellness Chiropractic podcast.
From the front desk to the work out room, everyone was awesome! I am so happy that I decided to join your company! I am feeling better already!
This was my first visit. Starting from front desk to the back in Dr.office very good experience. Dr. Reed was very knowledgeable. I will definitely continue my therapy there.
On my first visit I felt like a patient, and not just a name on a chart.<br>Thank you for validating all my concerns,
I was pleased with the intake at the living Wellness chiropractor office. Everyone was friendly and explained the process clearly
I received several reminders about the appointment. Once I received the registration forms, I could complete them digitally. The Doctor was very considerate and made sure my questions were answered.
Professional communication, a clear focus on personalized care, and a team that truly prioritizes patient well-being. The clinic reflects high standards and genuine commitment to helping people feel better and stay healthy. Highly recommend!
Living Wellness did a great job documenting my long treatment required for my disability with the VA. I'm thankful for their help provided with my illness. Using a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit was great for pain relief. The staff was very nice.
Yes I must agree customer service and great back/neck results
I came in for an initial assessment and was very pleased with this group. They took my x-rays, went over them with me in detail, and did an initial alignment. While I’ve decided not to continue chiropractic treatment at this time, I really appreciate the team here. They seem to genuinely care about what they do, and I never felt pressured or upsold on services beyond what I was comfortable with. I would recommend this group to anyone looking for a gentle and safe chiropractic approach that includes x-rays, stretching, alignment, and traction.
I’ve been doing chiropractic care off and on for over 24 years, and Living Wellness is by far the best experience I’ve had. This is the third practice I’ve been to, and they’ve done what I thought was impossible—actually correcting my spine, not just managing pain. Their techniques are different, but they truly work. My posture and overall health have improved significantly. The doctors and staff are warm, welcoming, and genuinely care about their patients. Highly recommend!
Living wellness chiropractic is a great place to start getting your health up to perfect standards. The staff is very professional and have very good knowledge of the skills needed to help patients recover. I strongly recommend their services to anyone in need of chiropractic services.
I’ve had a fantastic experience at Living Wellness, the entire staff is welcoming, professional, and genuinely shows that they care about your well-being. The chiropractors take time to listen and tailor treatments to your current needs. After just a few visits, I noticed a significant improvement in my posture and overall comfort. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for effective and compassionate chiropractic care.
I got the best treatment at this Center. I am to grateful to doctors and all the team. They are so dedicated and kind.
Everyone at living wellness is professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, relaxing atmosphere that puts you at ease. Their personalized treatment plans helped me recover quickly and feel better than I have in years. I highly recommend this center to anyone looking for quality, holistic chiropractic care.
Jose is a great person who cares about his patients people friendly. Someone who is very supportive. Such an amazing person overall. Everyone here treats you with such respect and with such care.<br><br>Kim is the chiropractic assistant and she is beautiful, caring, kind, a great disciplinary, she makes sure I’m doing all the tractions right. Great person. Always checks on me on a personal level.<br><br>Both of the doctors are amazing. Dr. Gucci is super stylish and so caring and always remembers what I talk about. Truly feels like I am cared about. He’s super funny and makes me feel like I’m part of the family. Dr Jon is super nice and always making me feel cared about too.<br><br>Esther is super caring, she is the one I talked to before getting treatment here and everything just felt absolutely so great and super cared for.
My fiancé and I have been coming to Living Wellness for close to a year and it has been nothing but positive. They have corrected my posture, I have less pain in my neck and back and the entire staff is welcoming and friendly! I would highly recommend Living Wellness to anyone.<br>PS Jose is the best!
The staff here is incredible! I leave with relief and a smile on my face after every appointment. The doctors are dedicated to their care as well as educating patients on the long term benefits of chiropractic care.
I didn't actually go here, but wanted to share my consultation experience. Overall the practice seems fine, but I asked a few times if it would all be covered by insurance (since it is usually 0 when a provider accepts Medicaid. They don't.) I was led to believe that I needed to have an exam in order to check insurance, but they could have said up front they don't accept. Long story short, it's at least 2000 for a few months of chiropractic and all the equipment like the xray machine looks outdated.
I have had the absolute best experience at Living Wellness chiropractic. I initially came due to knee pain and from there learned that my spine needed some adjustment. I was able to look at my x-rays and doctor John explained everything to me. From there, I was able to speak to Ester about what would be done to adjust me and get my spine in better shape. I highly recommend coming here if you have any sort of pain as all of the pain that I felt has gone away and my spine has improved significantly I can literally feel the difference. Amazing place with amazing people that genuinely want you to feel better.
The professionalism is awesome.<br>From the front desk to the doctors and the chiropractors ....they are really awesome 👌👌👌<br>I remember the first day I stepped my feet in there.<br>I couldn't walk straight, the pain was unbearable...<br>After a few sessions I started walking straight again, and I could sleep at night.<br>Now I completed my full sessions and I can tell you guys, you're really awesome.<br>Like I said, from the front desk to the doctor's office, the professionalism is awesome.<br>I really appreciate you guys. Your care, your friendship.<br>Matt, thank you for all the follow ups.<br>I won't hesitate to refer you guys to anyone.<br>Eventhough I completed my sessions, I will definitely book ,probably twice a year, for adjustment.<br>Then again thank you to the whole staff ✌🏾
My pain is greatly reduced. I am sleeping better, I have more energy. I just feel better
Two weeks back I had come here because of the worst pain I've ever had in my lower back - which made even turning in bed excrutiatingly painful. I had thought it would take weeks, if not months for me to feel better - but two weeks later I can't believe how much better I feel. I can walk around, get up and sit down almost like normal! I know only the most immediate symtoms have been relieved, and the problem has been caused by years of bad posture - but I am greatful for this chance to become more sensitive to my posture from now on. I gues the doctors and the traction exercises really helped. Everyone at the clinic was very friendly and kind - in particular the assistants who helped, whose names I don't remember unfortunately - but thank you Naomi in particular! (Unfortunately, I can't continue longer as my insurance will not cover this) - but Dr Harry, you have a great team! Thank you.
I started at living Wellness with a severe case of sciatica. I was literally walking with a cane at times. Always in pain.<br>They put together a complete program for me with chiropractic care, traction, X-ray’s and home exercises. It has been extremely helpful.<br>I’m a big fan!
Excellent doctor.<br>I was having a back pain and the management decided to make neck adjustment but i don't have a chice but to accept it. Again the doctor has a very good experience and i recommend this place.
Excellent staff and facility. Before living wellness I was in so much pain. After a couple of months I feel incredible. The tractions are not easy 😉 but the results you get are phenomenal. What really makes this place special is the staff. They make you feel like your a part of their family and it makes going there enjoyable!
christy is so sweet and reassuring! i loved having them help me
Living Wellness is a place of true healing! 7 months and 90 visits later and my spine has several areas that are almost textbook! Not only that but my pain has reduced to the point t that I barely use pain meds. I had been taking meds three times a day before I saw them. Now, I might take a morning dose, but many times I forget because I dont need it.<br><br>The caring staff are all amazing! Jenny at the front desk remembered my name from day 1, and she genuinely is interested in how I am. Christy, the Chiro assistant is precise with the tractions, funny and personable. (She also has eclectic and good taste in music, lol) Matt, the finance guy and office manager, really wants EVERYONE to be happy and feel unstressed about paying for medical care. He really is willing to work with you. (I pay out of pocket 😳) Dr. Scott is open minded and actively listens to his patients and their needs. I am a unique and unusual case, but he was always willing to respect my quirky needs.<br>As someone who grew up being told Chiropractic Care was quackery, I appreciate all the science behind what they do. 4 sets of xrays later, and you can see why I love them. And now that I know what posture is supposed to be, most EVERYONE could use some realignment!! Cannot rave enough about these people!!! It is truly an office of healers. Xxoo
This practice is wonderful. Docs Harry(s) and Scott have provided so much relief. Jenny is an incredible administrator, the assistants are attentive and kind, and Matt is a lovely care-taker throughout the financial aspects. I came here over a year ago in extreme pain and discomfort. I was provided almost immediate relief, which has been sustained. Previously, I thought that I would have to deal with a life of terrible tension headaches due to whiplash, but now I feel a sense of wellness and ease that I didn’t think was possible (without the assistance of medication). This is a very special place and they truly care deeply about the health and well being of their patients. I am grateful to be on the end of my journey here (because it means the healing worked), but sad to be saying goodbye to these folks. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! 🥹🙏🏾
Awesomeness in action. Everyone from my checkin, to treatment, to exercises is 5 star top notch!! Not only does my body feel better but my spirit too!!
I was referred to Living Wellness Chiropractic by my strength coach; what a game changer it has been for me.<br><br>My daily routine was plagued with neck and back pain. After my first 5-10 visits, the pain subsided completely—allowing me full range of motion in the gym.<br><br>Today I was given a Thank You note, which adds to the incredible customer care they provide.<br><br>10 out of 10 highly recommend!
I call them a family. They have given me hopes and solutions to my health. I went in to them in tears of pains and they made it seem like nothing with the high level of care and professionalism embedded in their practice.<br>Matt. is just an angel, he is God sent to me. He has a very broad arms to embrace and listen to patients' needs and concerns. Your complaints is a concern to him and he immediately fixes it.<br>Anytime I think I have big challenges with paperwork for my job, Matt. will gladly make you straight.<br><br>Jenny is the right person for the front desk, always welcoming you with beautiful smiles and respect. I love her calm voice. She sends you reminders until you show up🤪 for your appointment.<br><br>It's all about results for them. All the crew are so beautiful. Dr. Harry is a doctor of no short cuts. He monitors to make sure you are getting the techniques for your exercises.<br><br>Precious, very calm and down to heart ❤️<br>Thank you Matt. for the jokes and laugher which heals faster than medicines.<br>I would recommend them over and over again.<br>I had been to another chiropractic practice before but the difference is clear and wide.<br>Good job team 👏 👍
I've been in treatment since February after discovering that my neck was in serious misalignment and bone spurs were starting to form on my vertebrae. I originally walked in the door for a very painful arm injury related to my photography work. After the last few months of diligent treatment, I'm happy to report that not only is my arm pain mostly gone, but so is some long-standing shoulder pain, and my neck is regaining its natural curve. I'm so glad I happened upon this place. The staff are wonderful and Dr. Harry is caring & competent. I'm so glad I ended up here and that I'm going to avoid some serious long-term health effects as a result of treatment. I recommend this team to anyone!
I have experienced a drastically difference in my back pain and neck pain since I started coming here. The staff is so friendly and Jenny is always up to date with my appointments and communicates effectively with me. I will highly recommend this place
I came to living wellness with a lower back spasm. They were able to fit me in quickly and I got relief within a few chiropractic adjustments. I have had horrible posture for a long time living with a chronic pain. I have been very pleased with my results from my treatment! I had a close family member who I don’t see in person often who didn’t recognize me from afar due to a drastic change in how I stand!!<br>Dr. Patrick, the chiropractor, is fantastic and gives great treatment. The team that handles scheduling (Especially Jenny!) is very responsive, flexible and communicative. I would highly recommend getting treatment here for any number of issues, but particularly any spinal alignment problems. They have a new office space that allows for much more room for everyone to spread out and social distance more easily, a very big space only a couple doors down from where they were before!
Started with exercises included today🎯<br>It’s time to correct THINGS- along the guidance with LIVING WELLNESS<br>Ready to work the program & beyond✔️
Highly recommend Dr Harry and the entire staff (Emily, Ryan, Cody, and the DJ to name a few). Great atmosphere and very progressive treatment options for my chiropractic needs.
Excellent, attentive staff. The healing received here is indeed real!
I first visited Living Wellness Chiropractic of Columbia in Nov 2020 with severe pain on my arm. At that time, I was unable to work due to this severe pain on my arm. After I rec'd two treatments, this severe pain disappeared. This was amazing experience for me. So far I have been treated for about six months and my body condition has changed and improved tremendously. All of staff is very kind and knows how to treat their patients. For any kind of body pain, I strongly recommend Living Wellness Chiropractic of Columbia. They will save your life with their special and caring treatments for their patients.
I've been going to Living Wellness Chiropractic for 4 months now and it has relieved my severe neck and back pain. The corrective care treatment provides a better long term quality of life. I'm finally able to sleep throughout the night and keep focus at work. The staff is friendly, professional, and always there to help. Dr. Harry Derr always makes sure his patients are taken care of properly.
I came into Dr. Derr’s office for lower back pain (I’m mid treatment now). Within the time thus far, I’ve noticed several improvements - most that I didn’t anticipate. First, I was pretty surprised to see how affected my neck was from bad posture. Since starting therapy, I’ve not had a single headache. My back has been improving having gone from stabbing pain to just a feeling of tight muscles. I anticipate things will be back to normal by the end of my treatment.<br><br>Staff is incredibly nice, knowledge, and funny. If you’re considering, you’d be making a great decision to come here.
Amazing people always makes everyone feel welcome and the work they perform shows result.<br><br>Un lugar con exelente servicio y muy buena las terapia me an ayudado a regresar a trabajar y a tener una vida normal.<br><br>Would recommend 100%
This place is great and they make feel like family. Really helped me with the pain i was having. Never knew that therapy really worked until now. 🧔
I love how professional and clean it is when you go in the quality of service it's wonderful they listen to you and questions all your questions. When I first started going my back really hurt after a couple of visits it started feeling better now I can honestly say I will highly recommend if you have problem with lower back pain you go. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Adrienne Tomlin