Saturday, July 13, 2013

Chiropractic And Reflux


Mum sits in the chiropractor's waiting room with a towel over each shoulder and both of them usually smell badly. If you wait long enough, usually not very long, baby will vomit onto one of those towels - again! This is the typical picture of the child with gastro-oesophageal reflex, or just plain reflux as most parents refer to it as.

What is reflux?

Reflux is a condition which involves repetitive vomiting by a baby whose sphincter muscle at the stomach end of the oesophagus has not fully matured. This makes the movement of food somewhat uncoordinated. The sphincter is a clever little muscle that opens to let food through to the stomach, and then closes to keep it from regurgitating. In some babies, this sphincter sometimes inappropriately opens and lets food and stomach acid back up into the oesophagus. This usually results in forceful vomiting, hence the mum with towels over both shoulders. Reflux is very common in the first 3 months of life as the sphincter develops, but after that this condition could have a different cause.

What are the symptoms of reflux?

Although some babies with reflux are very distressed and miserable, by far the majority seems untroubled by their condition - they just vomit endlessly and seemingly without effort. Of those babies who continue to vomit beyond the third month of life, at least half will be symptom free by their first birthday or before. In others, there is the possibility of complications. The more common complications are oesophagitis, a condition in which the oesophagus becomes inflamed due to the action of the stomach acid, and aspiration, a condition where the child inhales small amounts of vomit and ends up with respiratory troubles and Failure-to-Thrive.

What causes my baby to vomit?

As stated above, immaturity of the sphincter between the oesophagus and stomach leads to vomiting in babies. This is facilitated by the fact that the length of the oesophagus is very short in the baby and offers little resistance to vomiting. A smaller than usual stomach size accompanied by rapid feeding will also lead to vomiting. One of the most important reasons why babies regurgitate however relates to poor peristaltic function. Peristalsis is the wave like motion in the intestine which moves food forward. This function is under control of the nervous system.

How can a chiropractor help?

When there is a chiropractic type problem in the baby's nervous system, often related to the birth process, it may affect peristalsis and cause excessive vomiting. A simple, very gentle chiropractic adjustment can relieve this neurological problem and get the baby's peristalsis working at the right level. Many babies with excessive vomiting benefit from chiropractic care. Do you have a baby that suffers from reflux - why not see your chiropractor today and see if there is a problem?

Where else can I find help?

Your chiropractor will be able to advise you of groups and organizations in your local area, or if you need to see your family doctor or pediatrician in extreme or persistent cases. In most countries there are also some organizations that specialize in helping mothers with babies who are experiencing symptoms such as colic and reflux.

Three Ways to Reduce Inflammation and Pain Without Using Drugs!


Inflammation and the cells that accompany it are necessary to heal the tissues so they do not fail in the future. However, when inflammation continues to hang around for weeks or even months than it becomes not only a nuisance but a painful reminder day in and day out. In fact, for many it prevents them from participating in the sport they love.

If you are a runner, or any type of athlete for that matter you will indeed suffer from inflammation of the soft tissues. Inflammation occurs from acute injury to a tissue like a strain or sprain from twisting a joint like your ankle or lifting something in your garage and hurting your back. Inflammation also occurs from repetitive stress or overuse. This comes in the form of a long or very hard track workout or can result from increasing mileage too fast. The inflammed tissue may be in the lower back resulting in back pain, or the knee, ankle or foot resulting in swelling and usually pain.

Conventional medical care typically involves the use of over the counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medication. However, these like all medications do come with side effects and consequences often not known to the individual. For instance, for tendon type injuries non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID's) medication has been shown to interfere with certain types of white blood cells that are necessary for healing. That means that tendon type injuries often heal slower or not as well when NSAID's are taken.

In addition to gastro-intestinal bleeding, over the counter anti-inflammatory medications require the liver and kidney to eliminate them. Over a lifetime this can create toxicity issues like liver and kidney failure for some even if they have taken the correct dosage. Unfortunately, we just don't know who or who is not susceptible to this kind of problem.

What is one to do? Grin and bear it. Fortunately there are some alternatives and I will list three of the most common below. First and foremost RICE (rest ice, compression and elevation) can be helpful for almost all kinds of inflammation. Icing the inflamed or sore area for 15-20 minutes 2-3 times per day for several days or even for weeks in chronic conditions can be helpful and allow for continued participation.

Second, the use of proteolytic enzymes or protein enzymes taken on an empty stomach works very well to aid the body in controlling inflammation. The protein enzymes taken on an empty stomach enter the bloodstream and act like pac-men eating up the cells associated with inflammation. These do not have side effects of GI bleeding or liver or kidney issues like NSAID's do because they work on a different pathway.

Finally, in cases where inflammation of a joint is involved or muscle inflammation due to poor biomechanics, adjustments can be very helpful. In the first case, in a 2010 study in Journal of Chiropractic Medicine ( 2010; 9, 101-114) adjustments were shown to decrease pain and inflammatory mediators in low back pain patients. Over the past 20 years I have seen more rapid rates of decreased pain and inflammation following adjustments to any joint in the body. Also, in many instances misalignments of the spine result in nerve pressure and or increased pull on muscles resulting in pain and inflammation. Correcting the misalignment results in better biomechanics, less muscle and ligament strain and reduced pain and inflammation.

So, the next time you are thinking about how to get rid of your sore and inflamed joint, think about some of these measures before you reach for that bottle of Advil.

Chiropractic and Postpartum Care


Establishing a postpartum plan of care is essential for a healthy recovery following childbirth. A woman experiences many changes in her body during pregnancy and childbirth, most notable is her posture. The postpartum process is the period of recovery for the mother that begins as soon as the baby is born.

During the first six to eight weeks after delivery, the mother may experience a variety of physical symptoms including sore breasts, hip soreness, vaginal bleeding or soreness from an episiotomy or vaginal tear, problems urinating or with bowel movements, and even hair loss or skin changes.

Chiropractic can play an important role in managing a healthy postpartum recovery. Consulting with a chiropractor and developing a postpartum plan of care can help speed the recovery process and provide for optimal postpartum health. Chiropractic is an all-natural healthcare practice, which focuses on hands-on techniques, natural therapies, proper diet and nutrition, and the overall health and biomechanics of the body as a whole.

During an initial chiropractic postpartum examination, a chiropractor will review daily lifestyle activities since the delivery. These may include: diet, hydration, sleeping patterns, and level of activity. It is important for a new mom to create an approved exercise program, stay hydrated, get as much sleep as the newborn will allow, and eat the right kinds of foods. For example, drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in fiber can help women with voiding issues.

Home exercise programs such as Kegels and exercises that strengthen the core are also important for optimal postpartum recovery. Core strengthening exercises can be completed in as little as five minutes a day and may include exercises as simple as controlled breathing techniques and stretching exercises. These beginner exercises are not strenuous and can be performed early in the postpartum period. In fact, many of these can be performed while the mother is holding and caring for the baby. Thus, the mother can still use the baby's sleep time to attend to other important matters, such as the mother's own sleep time.

As the postpartum period progresses, the mother can transition into more active home exercise programs to strengthen her core. Indeed, she will need this strength to have the energy to lift and carry her baby, and later to keep up with the baby as the baby moves into the toddler years.

For women who experience certain pain and/or dysfunction during the postpartum period, adjustments and other physiotherapy modalities used by chiropractors can help safely and gently return lost function and relieve pain. In addition, a mother receiving chiropractic care will be less inclined to need pharmaceuticals for her pain or dysfunction, which is particularly important for women who are breastfeeding.

Establishing care through a chiropractor is beneficial on many levels. Chiropractors provide personalized care, specifically designed for each patient's needs and goals. The health benefits received from chiropractic during postpartum care can greatly improve the speed and quality of recovery. Moreover, it provides the foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Chiropractic Care


Chiropractic care is sometimes connected with several risks and advantages. The reality is, it is proven to be effective by thousands of people internationally. Doctors actually recommend that alternative therapy before patients resort to bigger measures like surgery or long term medicine use. Here are some of the known risks and advantages.

Chiropractics is Science-Based

Chiropractors are in reality very qualified experts who have undergone both undergraduate and postgraduate studies to achieve their title. There are National and State Board Examinations as well, to make sure that practitioners only ever use the highest levels of techniques and applications that ensure patient wellness. The science of chiropractic enhances the association between the spine and nervous system, so bodily processes are improved significantly.

Chiropractors apply several techniques that correct vertebral subluxations. The procedure becomes very secure and efficient because professionals are able to locate, initiate, control and manage the various functions of cells and body systems by improving the flow of energy. Chiropractic care is viewed a holistic approach, but science-based.

Safer than Other Remedies

As a holistic sort of treatment, chiropractic care is by and large safer than other treatments because patients do not have to undergo surgery or be placed in a sedated state to get results. As an alternative type of remedy, most doctors suggest that people try the methods first before resorting to surgery or long term drug use. You can anticipate to pay less when investing in chiropractics.

The type of remedy is also safer with low risk for complications when used by qualified professionals. Chiropractics apply non-surgical, natural and drug-free methods to enhance the body's natural power to recovery and improve. Treatment courses can be very short if the patient responds positively. You may see that chiropractics can continue maintaining optimum level of health for the long term. Patients who have recovered fully may continue visiting the chiropractor's clinic for relaxation.

Knowing the Risks

The risks begin primarily if you count on somebody that does not truly have a background in chiropractics. Make certain you make a background check first on who will be rendering services by reviewing the professional license, asking for patient referrals and determining if the individual truly is registered in your state. Check the rates as well, so that you avoid paying exorbitant fees. You can avail of packages, dependent on your condition to make sure that you will simply be paying the amount that was initially given to you.

Some Problems

In some situations, there are likewise possible complications like neck or spine injuries owing to wrong maneuvering of the joints. Some patients may find the therapy very painful in the beginning, while others may not receive any benefit at all from the approaches.

The chance of injury from treatment is reduced. Prior to any procedure is done, medical diagnostics is virtually always required by qualified professionals, so that they can accurately determine the origin of the problem and correct the joints efficiently.

Some physicians might even refuse to treat you, if they realize that the patient is very vulnerable to develop problems during or after treatment. Some patients may not react during remedy but suddenly develop problems hours or days after.

The proper application of force is extremely important, especially when employing the systems on the elderly, infants, kids and pregnant women.

4 Reasons You Should Make a Chiropractor Your Primary Care Physician


I know that for many people, that headline is going to make them scratch their heads and say "Huh?" That is an expected reaction, because often when you mention "chiropractor", the only things that come to mind for many people are back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches OR Scary, I will NEVER get my neck cracked!

Both reactions are too bad because it shows just what a horrible job we have done (chiropractors, I mean) explaining to the public our philosophy, our science, our safety, and they myriad of things we can help with other than pain.

There is something of a healthcare crisis going on in the U.S. right now, have you noticed? Insurance premiums are through the roof, people cannot afford insurance or they cannot afford to get sick (before the downturn in the economy, illness costs in insured individuals accounted for 50% of all personal bankruptcies), medical doctors are leaving the profession in droves and there are not enough students in med school to replace them. So as a chiropractor, I am standing up and saying "We can help! We can handle the "lifestyle" diseases. We can help ease the burden on the healthcare system by letting people know what we do!"

So in no particular order, here are the reasons you should consider making a chiropractor your primary care physician.

The Nervous System controls and coordinates ALL functions of your body - This is basic anatomy, and it always amazes me how many "health care providers" forget this most simple tenet. We all know it is true. We have seen what happens when someone breaks their neck and nothing works below it. The brain is the source of all energy transmissions to every cell of your body. It sends those messages down the spinal cord and out nerves that pass between each vertebrae of the spine. If the vertebrae are misaligned, and the electrical impulses of the brain can't reach the cells, the cells are sick. Lots of sick cells make a sick person. Chiropractors adjust the spine to restore the flow of energy from the brain to the cells. That is often all someone needs for miraculous changes in their health.

Chiropractors do not prescribe medications - This is important in a primary care physician as a first level of defense. If someone comes into my office with high blood pressure, I do not want to immediately put them on high blood pressure medications because then I would be compromising their kidney function. Because chiropractors do not prescribe medications, we are extremely educated in nutrition and lifestyle changes that can help. If your blood pressure is high but does not require hospitalization, there are some simple changes you can make that would lower it over a 30 day period. That is the true meaning of "health care" in my opinion. Give a chiropractor one to three months to manage a condition. If there has not been a significant change at that point, then go see a medical doctor.

Chiropractors are able to order most standard blood tests - And we know how to interpret the results as well. Combine that with the above point, that we do not prescribe medications, and you have a health expert who can work with you to determine your health concerns and give you workable, real life solution.

Chiropractic Adjustments have been proven to boost the immune system - This is tied to the first point, that the nervous system controls and coordinates all your functions, but it's worth its own paragraph. If your immune system is strong, you will not need doctors as often. That is just the way it is. You will also be able to handle any viruses or bacteria you are exposed to quickly and easily. Ask any chiropractor or chiropractor's family how often they get sick. They will tell you not very, and when they do, they beat it quickly. It is true in my home and in those of the other chiropractors I know. It is true for our patients, too.

I hope these four points will have you look at your health a little differently, and inspire you to think about our "healthcare system" in a new light. A chiropractor is truly a health care provider, in contrast to the many illness care providers that bog down our system. If we can get more people to chiropractors for health care, we can free up the illness providers to handle those sick people who really need them.

So please, go see a chiropractor. You'll be glad you did.

Avoiding Back Pain With Yard Work


Yard work and maintaining the lawn is a good stress reliever for some people. Many homeowners enjoy being outdoors when the weather is nice. However, it is called yard "work" for a reason and while enjoyable there are a lot of efforts needed to get the work done. Bending over to pull weeds, the constant vibration from sitting on a riding mower or using a push mower can all increase pain levels for someone who was injured in an auto accident. Pain can make an enjoyable hobby like gardening or a household duty such as yard work un-enjoyable. This loss of enjoyment factor must be documented in the doctors' notes so the attorney representing the patient can settle the claim with more ease after the patients doctor or rehab facility helps them feel better.

Once you are out of the initial acute phase of your injury and have been cleared by your doctor to become more active, you should take it slow so you don't re-aggravate the injury. Also instead of doing outdoor tasks that you would normally do in one day, spread the task out over the course of the weekend or get someone to help you with the work.

Here are some tips to follow before going outside to perform yard work after suffering from back pain.


  1. Drink plenty of water before, during and after being outside to avoid dehydration

  2. Stretch before going outside to perform yard work. Make sure the muscles in the low back are loose so you don't put excess strain on the area.

  3. When bending over, make sure you lift using your legs. Avoid picking anything up by just bending over and coming right back up.

  4. NEVER twist your body when you are leaning over. (this is a compromising position for the spine and can be problematic)

  5. Use knee pads if you will be doing gardening task to decrease stress on your joints.

  6. Take breaks frequently so that your muscles don't fatigue in one certain position and go into spasm.

Dealing with back pain at home following an accident can hinder your normal activity but it doesn't have to stop it completely. As long as you make some minor changes to keep yourself out of trouble, you can still perform your hobby without worry.

I'm a good referral for your neighbor who mentions not being able to spend as much time doing yard work because of the pain they feel after their auto accident. Have them call me and I will bring the enjoyment back to their life!

Friday, July 12, 2013

The Science Behind Chiropractic Care


The modern chiropractic profession has been treating patients for a variety of health conditions since 1895. That is when Daniel David Palmer adjusted the spinal column of Harvey Lillard and restored his hearing. Mr. Lillard had loss his hearing when he was kicked by a horse. Daniel Palmer reasoned that if a blow to the spine caused the hearing loss, then that blow caused something in the spine to dislocate and cause the problem. He thought that a movement in the opposite direction would restore normal positioning and the hearing would return. He was right.

Since that first chiropractic 'adjustment' many scientific experiments have been conducted try to prove ( and many projects trying to disprove) chiropractic treatment. The studies have been conducted by chiropractors, neurologists, osteopaths, clinical researchers, and physiologists. The evidence is overwhelming that the chiropractic theory has a solid scientific basis.

The chiropractic theory states that the all of the systems of the body are controlled by the nervous system. Any disruption in the communication of the nervous system can lead to physical disease (literally dis-ease). Pain, illnesses, disease processes, and other physical ailments are all possible conditions that result from nervous system disruptions.

The main pathway for the communication between the brain and the rest of the body is the spinal cord, the main nerve that runs down the spinal column. Any external pressure on the spinal cord can affect the flow of nervous energy and cause miscommunication within the body. A classic example of nerve interference is the condition called 'sciatica'. In this physical condition the sciatic nerve, which is the main nerve running down the back of the leg, is compromised (often said to be 'pinched') where it exits the spinal column in the lower back. Sciatic pain can be very debilitating. Your neighborhood chiropractor, Dr. Jeffrey Roistacher will adjust the lumbar vertebrae, releasing the pressure on the sciatic nerve, and relieve the pain. In this example the nerve that is being compromised is a sensory nerve conducting pain. There are many nerves travelling throughout the body that all have different functions, though their main job is communication. The results on any nerve that is being compromised as it exists the spinal column can be dramatically affected by chiropractic adjustments to relieve this pressure, just as the pain being conducted by the sciatic nerve is reduced through chiropractic spinal adjustments.

You can learn about this and other chiropractic topics by talking to

Chiropractic - Discover The Science Of Healing Without Medicines


Owing to the chaotic life that we lead, problems like chronic pain, headache, anxiety and depression have become quite frequent. Chiropractic treatment has become a mainstay in holistic medicine as it is a drugless treatment that relies on the body's natural capability to heal. Read on to find out more on the amazing healing power of Chiropractic treatment.

The modern day lifestyle and work brings its own pressures. While our life has become much simpler due to advanced machines doing all kinds of work for us, it has also reduced our physical activity. Observe a regular day at work and you will find that there are very few chances that you even get up from your chair. Our body which requires physical activity and relaxation at regular intervals, undergoes tremendous stress and it is for this reason, we experience certain health issues. Stress is one of the major causes of regular problems that we face like frequent headaches, backache and muscle strain and more. Any kind of problem mostly associated with the neck and spine are more often than not a result of inappropriate posture. Since the cause of the problems lies in muscle strain due to inactivity, the best cure lies in relieving the stress of the muscles. This is precisely what Chiropractic does.

Chiropractic is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the problems of the musculoskeletal system and its effects on the body. The Chiropractic treatment concentrates on the spine and uses techniques like spinal manipulation or spinal adjustment for treatment which uses gentle pressure or precise thrust on the joints to increase its range of motion. Hence, it is also used for injuries resulting from an accident or sport injury to gradually allow for movement in the stiff muscles. It relies on the body's ability to heal itself. However, Chiropractic treatment is not just limited to the treatment of spine problems. It can be used for the treatment of a number of problems like sports related injuries, headache, allergies, asthma and many others. It is a very effective treatment providing prolonged relief after a session of a few hours. Chiropractors often concentrate on all aspects of health including exercise, diet, rest, environment, etc. The relaxing effect of the treatment also reduces anxiety and depression.

What distinguishes Chiropractic from usual treatment is that it is a natural, drugless and non-surgical treatment. No medicines are used; hence there are no side effects of the treatment. However, it is a specialized treatment that needs expertise. The chiropractor examines the patient closely to find the cause of the problem; he/she may also look into some laboratory tests before beginning the treatment. Many other treatments like Acupuncture and massage are also used along with Chiropractic for better results.

Chiropractic is an effective and complete treatment for chronic pain. However, before going for the treatment it is essential to recognize that Chiropractic is a medical discipline and hence the Chiropractor should be licensed and certified to undertake the treatment. Make sure you are not going to a fraudulent amateur in the name of Chiropractic. Keeping this in mind, if you are suffering from any such problem it is better to go for a Chiropractic treatment. If you are making the mistake of ignoring your problem and thinking that it would be fine on its own, it may not be. It will only get worse. The best way is to find professional services in your nearest area like Chiropractor Chicago via the Internet.

Treating Hip Pain Using Chiropractic Methods


The hip is a stable joint, reinforced by strong ligaments, and several powerful groups of muscles. It is much easier to harm the shoulder, knee, and ankle than to injure the hip. Even so, hip problems can be highly disabling.

Daily activities such as walking down stairs, and turning in bed can be uncomfortable or painful for patients with a hip problem. The hip links to the lower extremity kinetic chain, transferring ground-reaction forces from the legs to the trunk.

Some hip problems are due to trauma, while many other conditions are due to overuse or misuse. Muscle imbalance impairs the normal joint function, limiting the functional range of motion. Degenerative and pathological hip conditions can be challenging to diagnose. Many times, patients who complain of pain and discomfort in the lower back, the buttocks, or the legs can be traced to a hip condition. And conditions such as hernia or aneurysm, without an obvious hip connection, may also prompt pain in the hip or groin.

Often, hip disease manifests as pain in the groin radiating all around the thigh and the knee. In such cases, the real challenge is ensure that the hip and thigh pain is a pathology of the hip as opposed to intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal pain. The majority of hip conditions are related to biomechanical issues. For example, when a patient strains a knee, and has knee or ankle problems, the gait is affected, causing hip pain. A change in gait may include carrying a baby or small child on the hip. People may also complain of hip pain when they are sitting differently. Basically, asymmetry of motion can cause a hip problem.

Doctors of Chiropractic see many hip conditions develop over a period of time, such as trochanteric bursitis, recurrent muscle strains, piriformis syndrome, and chronic degenerative changes in the hip joint (degenerative joint disease). Chiropractors have thorough knowledge of hip joint function, its involved muscles, and the adequate exercise regimen to help patients with hip problems.

Hip Treatments

Gentle stretching of specific muscle groups can be performed even right after an injury. Gradual movements of the joint should also be employed in order to prevent the formation of adhesions. In addition, vigorous exercise of the contralateral leg muscles helps create a neurological stimulus in the injured muscles that offsets atrophy. In the case of an acute injury with muscle swelling, however, an initial period of rest may be needed.

Piriformis syndrome and trochanteric bursitis may benefit from specific stretching exercises. Piriformis syndrome develops when the piriformis muscle inflames the sciatic nerve, causing hip aches down the back of the leg. Treatment should include gentle stretches of the piriformis muscle.

Trochanteric bursitis brings pain to the lateral part of the hip. Localized pain in this area indicates the need for stretches to lengthen this segment of connective tissue.

Weakened or injured muscles can be strengthened with the use of isotonic resistance exercises from a machine, elastic tubing, weights, or the body's own weight.

Since biomechanical alignment issues are linked with chronic hip complaints, patients must be screened for leg-length discrepancies and pronations. The failure to address these factors may cause recurring hip complaints, or symptoms in other locations. The lower extremities must be properly aligned to ensure the hip joints work smoothly.

Causes

In patients in their sixties and older, with preexisting conditions such as knee replacements, hip pain can result from age-related degenerative conditions. Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is one such degenerative condition that is commonly reported. Osteoarthritis of the hip joint may also occur after many years of improper biomechanics and dysfunction.

Here follows hip problems that originate within and around the hip:

  • Overuse injuries, repetitive motion, or gait conditions

  • Serious injuries, such as fractures

  • Avascular necrosis

  • Joint or bone infections near the hip. These are followed by fever, redness, and/or swelling

Contact a Chiropractic Doctor

A chiropractic doctor will evaluate the patient's medical history, ask about past exercise and movement that, in some cases, may point to a fracture or pathology. Chiropractic care will correct the subluxations and biomechanical faults of the pelvis and seek the right course of treatment to prevent and treat hip conditions.

Chiropractor - The Sneezing, Sniffling, Itchy Watering Eyes Treatment That Works


Although most people don't think about making an appointment with their doctor of chiropractic when that rag weed has you sneezing and sniffling and your eyes are watering maybe they should.

How Traditional Medicine Treats Allergies

Most people visit their medical clinic when they begin suffering from symptoms of allergies and your medical professional almost always gives you something that treats the symptoms and relieves your discomfort. However, although you feel better once your discomfort is relieved, these treatments only deal with the symptoms of your allergy after you have an attack, they do nothing to lessen the effects of the allergies before you begin having symptoms. It's a little like chasing down the horse after he has bolted rather than closing the barn door before he decides to make a run for it. Chiropractic care on the other hand often closes and bolts the door before the horse even knows that the barn door is open.

The Chiropractic Approach To Allergies

The chiropractic approach to allergies is completely different from that of traditional medicine. First, you need to understand that chiropractors do not treat the symptoms of allergies. What they do is locate and correct serious nervous system stress which helps your immune system to function more effectively. The more effectively your nervous system functions the better able it is to neutralize those allergy causing chemicals which helps prevent an allergic reaction from taking place.

In cases, where your allergies are already affecting you, a chiropractic adjustment will help your immune system deal with the allergens thus relieving your symptoms naturally without the need for medications that can have adverse side effects which may result in even more health issues later in life.

All Natural Treatment

Chiropractors use all natural treatments to help you achieve good health. This will include advice on diet and exercise as well as vertebrae adjustments that will help your immune system function at it's most efficient level which will prevent a number of illnesses and diseases including those allergies. Not only will you feel better during hay fever season but, you will feel better all year long. With proper and regular chiropractic visits you are less likely to suffer from colds, flu and yes those pesky allergies leaving you to feel better no matter what season it is.

So the next time you think about your chiropractor and chiropractor care remember that he can help you prevent that sneezing, sniffling, itchy watery eyes feelings that allergies cause

The Chiropractic Treatment Known As the Activator Technique


A chiropractic technique developed in the 1960's is being used today to treat patients and relieve pain. The Activator is a hand held instrument that resembles a small polo stick. It's made to give adjustments without causing strain or pain. It gives an extremely quick thrust that's very effective. It's described as a light sensation by patients. This instrument works on the exact area of the body where there's a health issue. It's used to safely and gently return spinal balance which helps heal the body. A benefit of this treatment is its ability to heal the body without drugs or complex surgery.

The Activator has been tested to be used as a chiropractic treatment. The Activator technique uses the newest progresses in orthopedic, neurological and chiropractic examinations. Specific procedures detect spinal joint dysfunction, examine leg length, neurological reflexes and other problems in the body. It's a treatment for areas of the body including knees, shoulders, wrists, ankles, spine and the jaw. Some benefits of this type of treatment are helping the body heal itself, protecting the body from disease, relieving pain and sustaining health without using drugs or difficult surgery.

An Activator instrument is different than a manual adjustment. The Activator is a unique compared to other chiropractic treatments. The body isn't turned in uncomfortable ways and there's no popping or snapping sounds. It's a precise and comfortable low-force adjustment which restores normal nerve supply and muscular tone. This instrument is beneficial to the chiropractor because it shows exactly where to make an adjustment. The problem can also be found faster. It's helps patients to feel better and restore spinal balance without causing any pain or distress. Patients often say they are calmer going to a chiropractor when this method is used for treatment.

Chiropractic doctors receive extensive training in using the Activator Technique method. Patients of all ages can benefit from an Activator adjustment because of its gentleness and efficiency. It works great for small children because it's so quick and easy. It's even safe for small babies. It's also very gentle for elderly patients with osteoporosis or arthritis. It can be used for pregnant women in all stages of pregnancy. The Activator works well on athletes or people who are physically active because of its effectiveness on pain in the spine, joints and muscles. Dr. Andrew Weil recommends the Activator to his patients because of its safety and reliability. He says it's safer than traditional high force manipulations.

Clinical trials have proven that the patented design in engineering of the Activator is very effective. Over 35,000 doctors worldwide use the activator technique according to http://www.activator.com/docInfo.asp. There are many case studies that show the activator method works successfully. It can even help heal old injuries and stress related pain which can interfere with nerve interference throughout the body. Brochures and DVD's about this treatment are available on the activator website to educate patients. The Activator is used by many chiropractors around the world because of its low force technique.

How Chiropractic Adjustments Work


Chiropractic Physicians are highly trained to detect and treat problems in the spinal joints and other joints of the body. When spinal bones become misaligned, they can also affect other tissues in and around the joints. This might include muscles, ligaments, nerves, discs and soft tissue. Misaligned joints are referred to by health care professionals as subluxations. Subluxations are caused by several different causes such as car accidents, falls, sporting injuries, work injuries or poor posture to name a few. Chiropractors are the only healthcare professionals specifically trained to locate and correct subluxations.

A subluxation is different from a dislocation in that the joint is not completely dislocated. Subluxations often result in nerve irritation which can cause pain and loss of function in the body. The nervous system in the body literally controls every cell and organ in the body. Subluxations can be very debilitating and be very painful for the individual.

Chiropractic physicians treat subluxations by performing specific hands on adjustments over the affected joint to restore normal alignment. The adjustment involves a quick thrust over the misaligned joint to move the bone back into its normal position. Chiropractors may also use instruments that are specially designed to adjust bones. Instruments allow for a higher velocity adjustment with low force.

It is common to hear an audible popping sound when the chiropractor performs an adjustment. This sound is mostly air being released from the joint as it moves. People are often surprised initially, but often report a relieving sensation following the adjustment.

Some people report discomfort after an adjustment, this is more likely to occur if the muscles were tight around the joint that was adjusted. This soreness usually goes away quickly. Chiropractic adjustments effectively reduce muscle tension, because muscle tension is often caused by the bones being out of alignment. This stretches the muscles that are attached to the bone, causing muscle spasm.

After the initial adjustment, the muscles may try to pull the bone back out of place. This is because the muscles and ligaments have gotten used to the bone being in the wrong position. This is why multiple adjustments over time may be necessary to help train the muscles and ligaments to keep the bone in the correct position. After the problem is corrected, periodic adjustments can help to maintain normal alignment and proper function of the joints. It is important to keep the joints healthy to maintain optimal health. Subluxations cause many of the unwanted conditions that are seen today. Some of the more common conditions that people seek chiropractic for include neck pain, back pain, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs and headaches.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

I Have a Short Leg, Can Chiropractic Help?


True Short Leg

True Short Leg is where you are born with the bones a different length, or you have an accident that has produced this. This can be due to a sporting injury, car accident or industrial accident where the leg has had to be reset.

The thing your chiropractor has to determine is whether or not this has an effect on your body balance. It is possible that your body has compensated for this without ill effect. In which case you would leave it alone.

However, it is far more common for it to be affecting your body badly. Twisting organs and other bones out of their correct position, thereby giving muscles strain - and eventually resulting in pain, as well as other bad conditions.

There is a thing known as a "heel lift" which can help with this. It is a piece of leather or rubber which is placed under the heel in your shoe, which props up the shortened leg, making it the same height as the other one. This will remove the muscle stress.

Functional Short Leg

The more common type of short leg is called "Functional Short Leg."

Functional Short Leg occurs due to your pelvis rolling back on one side. This pulls up on the leg, making it appear shorter. This can come from an injury to your spine, neck or hip which then makes it compensate for the weakened area. It can happen quite slowly over years, and most people are unaware of it until they get into pain. By this point it has already gone on for a long time!

Is Your Neck the Cause?

You may be surprised to realise that your neck is often the cause of a Functional Short Leg.

How could this possibly be? Your neck seems like a long way removed from your pelvis and feet!

Well, look at it this way. Your neck gets an injury, which twists it slightly out of place. To compensate, your shoulders move out of place so as to try to take the burden. This then pushes your back out of place. And finally, your pelvis rolls to try to take the strain.

Just like lifting a box which is too heavy can make your whole body twist and strain, so can an injury to your neck end up misaligning your whole body, and giving you a Short Leg.

What Can You Do About It?

The sensible thing to do is to get your spine checked. By proper use of x-rays, muscle examination and observation, a chiropractor can determine whether you have a Short Leg - and should be able to determine whether it is True or Functional.

Either way, you'll want to address it before it is beyond repair.

Handled promptly, such conditions are easily remedied.

Chiropractors do what's called a "Chiropractic Adjustment." These are very comfortable procedures these days. There are many non-force methods.

Pelvic imbalance, upper neck problems, are things you may never know about. Seeing a chiropractor makes a lot of sense. It isn't just about headaches and back pain. Chiropractic adjustments have a profound effect on your state of wellbeing for now and in the future.

Chiropractic Care for Sciatica (Lumbar Radiculopathy)


Sciatica is an irritation of a lumbar nerve root that can result in pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling which can travel from the back all the way through the buttock area through the lower extremity to the feet. It can affect one's ability to concentrate, function, sleep, socialize, and work. At any point in time 1% of the US population is suffering from a herniated disc. That's over 3 million people!

Chiropractic care can play an important role in diagnosing and helping with sciatica pain. Initially the chiropractor will fully evaluate a patient with a complete musculoskeletal workup which includes a detailed history and physical. Posture, skeletal structure, and movement are evaluated including a detailed neurologic exam.

Imaging studies may be necessary including x-rays and an MRI to see which nerve root is being pinched (pinched nerve) and how bad the disc herniation (slipped disc) is. X-rays show the bony elements, whereas MRI's show the soft tissues best and are very good at detailing where a nerve root is being compressed. An EMG may be necessary to evaluate whether or not a nerve root is being pinched to the extent of neurologic damage.

Once the workup is complete, a chiropractic care treatment plan will be put together. A typical regimen for care may include spinal adjustments, physical rehab, PT/rehab, ice/heat, massage therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, stretches and exercise, and potentially spinal decompression therapy. Spinal decompression treatment is revolutionary, safe, FDA cleared, and has been shown to have great results in alleviating pain from lumbar radiculopathy.

Chiropractic care can be a safe, noninvasive method for relieving sciatica. Studies have shown its effectiveness and its cost is very low compared with surgery.

Chiropractic For Shoulder And Neck Pain


Neck pain is common today and affects most people at some time in their lives. In fact, two thirds of the population will experience neck pain during their lives. Healthcare professionals often refer to neck pain as cervicalgia. It is common for those with neck pain to have accompanied pain in one or both shoulders.

This is because the nerves that exit the spine in the neck also go to the shoulders and down into the arms and hands. Because of this, neck problems can refer pain into the shoulders, arms and hands. Neck pain may be the result of poor posture, muscles strain, whiplash or spinal disease to name a few. Even mental or emotional stress will lead to neck pain.

Two of the main functions of the neck are to provide stability and support for the head and to allow the head to turn and bend. The upper part of the cervical spine or neck provides most of the range of motion in the neck. The lower part of the neck and upper back are built more to provide support and strength. When spinal bones become misaligned in the neck, it will result in a loss of normal range of motion and can also damage surrounding soft tissue. The muscles of the neck can become strained. If misaligned spinal bones are not corrected, degenerative changes may occur in the neck.

Some neck problems may be more serious than others, especially if the nerves or discs in the neck have become injured. Warning signals of a more serious problem may include referred pain or numbness in the shoulders, arms or hands. It is also possible to have a loss of grip strength. At times, neck problems may be overlooked as the symptoms are presented in the arms and hands but not the neck. It is important to examine the neck when there is shooting pain, numbness or loss of grip strength.

Slouching and other poor posture habits are a major cause of neck pain. People often practice poor postural habits when working at the computer, reading or watching TV. It is easy to slouch with these activities. When slouching is done for long periods of time, the spine will become misaligned. The natural curves in the spine will be affected.

Chiropractic is a great option for neck and shoulder pain. Chiropractors are well trained to work with the musculoskeletal system and can identify and treat neck and shoulder problems. Chiropractors perform spinal manipulation to correct misaligned spinal bones and remove nerve interference. People often report better movement in their neck following chiropractic treatment. Pain and numbness felt in the arms or hands often goes away because chiropractic adjustments remove the nerve interference.

Drug Free Back Pain Treatments That Provide Results


Individuals who suffer from back pain may be tempted to try and "tough it out" but that is dangerous. The reason your body is registering pain is to warn you that something is wrong in your back. If you try to work through this pain it could do even more damage to your back and surrounding soft tissue. It may seem tempting to use over the counter painkillers to self medicate but that is also risky. These over the counter painkillers could mask the pain without curing it. Since the pain is masked there is a risk of further injury so what you should do is speak with a medical professional for advice.

You have the option of either going to a conventional physician who will most likely prescribe painkillers or use the services of a chiropractor. A chiropractor is a doctor who only specialized in neck,back and soft tissue injuries. What makes these doctors of chiropractic medicine unique is their approach. Unlike other doctors a chiropractor will not use any drugs at all. Their approach is a more holistic one where they first identify what the cause of the pain is and then treat it accordingly.

When you first visit the chiropractor they will have you fill out a detailed medical history form. The doctor needs to review this in order to fully understand what drugs if any you are taking which could impact the treatment. This doctor will also order X-rays to be performed on your back to make sure there is no additional damage.

Once the X-ray and medical history review has been completed the chiropractor will begin an examination to get some insight on how serious the injury is and once that is done the doctor is going to order a series of manipulations to help bring the spine back into proper alignment. When the doctor uses these techniques there will be an immediate increase in circulation throughout the back. With this added blood flow the damaged tissue will begin to heal which should alleviate the pain.

Depending on the severity of the condition you may need to visit your chiropractor a few times a week until the pain has fully healed. The sooner you seek out professional help from a licensed chiropractor the better you will feel overall. Be sure that the chiropractor you do select is licensed by the state and has a considerable number of positive reviews from people who have used their services.

Responsibilities and Traits of a Reliable Chiropractor


Due to imperfect postures and lack of exercises people tend to suffer from pains and discomforts in the muscles and backbone. This is a medical condition, which requires the immediate attention of a chiropractor. S/he is basically a person who performs various techniques for proper spinal cord adjustments. Rotations and adjustments of other parts of the body are also done to align the muscles into their proper positions.

Chiropractors are trained medical practitioners who deal with a holistic way of treating conditions like pains. Their approach to problems is from the perspective of inducing wellness naturally and is not a symptom-based treatment. Different types of physical problems characterized by upper and lower back pain, headaches, soft tissue injuries, and muscle spasm are treated effectively and chances of recurrences are eliminated by a chiropractor.

A short list of the duties and responsibilities of a chiropractor

There are a number of responsibilities and duties of a chiropractor. Right from the assessment of the problems to providing treatment, there are loads of things that experts do like -

1. They examine the patients and determine the problems. They order the patients to do x-rays and other diagnosis, which will prove helpful for the treatment.

2. They monitor the progress of the treatment at every stage. They will correct any imperfections in the postures of the body and suggest exercises accordingly.

3. Sometimes, the therapists have to do adjustments on the patient's spine and articulations of the body. Such chiropractic adjustments help in relieving backaches and muscle strains.

4. Counseling is an important responsibility of a chiropractic practitioner. An expert often suggests proper dietary patterns and right sleeping habits to the patients. As such activities have significant effect on the wellness of the body; they are generally stressed upon by a chiropractic practitioner.

However, only experienced chiropractors are capable of performing the therapy in an effective manner. So, the first step of healing with the help of chiropractic methods is to choose a professional who has the following traits:

1. They should be patient listeners to your problems and queries.

2. Should be able to explain everything that you want to know about chiropractic treatment.

3. Focused and diligent experts can induce wellness in a better way.

4. Last but, one of the important traits is good analytical skills.

If you are seeking chiropractic treatment, you should know that when it comes to consulting a reputed chiropractor, Chicago comprises a few of the reputed clinics comprising experienced therapists.

Overuse Injuries - What Causes Them and How to Avoid Them - Part 3


In the last part of this three part series I will discuss the effects of biomechanical imbalances in the body and improper running technique on overuse injuries. These probably accounts for at least 50% of all sports overuse injuries. A biomechanical imbalance is any imbalance in musculature, ligament laxity or bony architecture from one side of the body as compared to the other (e.g. right leg vs. left leg). Many people ask isn't it common to have on leg shorter than the other? Certainly it is, but most are not aware that the greater the difference and the more stress imposed on that imbalance the greater the risk of injury.

I have lumped technique imbalance together with biomechanical imbalance because having a biomechanical imbalance almost always leads to improper technique (whether it is running, throwing, kicking, hitting, swimming, etc.). Prior to causing improper technique or injury, biomechanical imbalance almost always results in decreased performance and/or more effort required to receive the same result. In addition, the longer someone performs a sport using improper technique the greater the stress on the body resulting in a biomechanical imbalance. Realize that even with proper technique the more years spent doing a sport the greater likelihood of muscle imbalances leading to biomechanical imbalance.

So how does one go about identifying and preventing biomechanical imbalances and poor technique. Making sure you have proper equipment, e.g. shoes to correct pronation if you are an overpronator is a pretty basic example for runners. Performing running drills that focus on proper leg and arm movements like strides, butt kicks and high knees can help to train proper muscle firing patterns for runners. For major deficiencies in the foot, knee or leg the use of a custom orthotic or shoe lift from a qualified doctor or pedorthist may be necessary to run pain free. Make sure to have your spine and trunk muscles checked for misalignments as irritation here can result in tight and/or weak leg muscles leading to imbalances and then changes in running form resulting in injury. Good overall conditioning and muscle tone will allow the body to compensate for biomechanical imbalances for longer periods of time before symptoms or injury occurs. However, the number one prevention tool is earlier detection and correction or awareness of the biomechanical imbalance during training.

It is important for runners to have methods to aid in the early screening of biomechanical imbalances. The following is meant to be a guideline to help detect these imbalances. If detected it is important that they make their sports chiropractor or physician aware of any potential imbalances.

Home detection methods: We'll start at the feet and work our way up.

Pain that occurs every time a person does a specific activity is a pretty good indication that there is some imbalance or injury, even if it goes away part way through the activity.

Feet:
a) examine the soles of all tennis shoes for uneven wear patterns. Excessive wear on the balls or outer portion of the heel or uneven wear from one side to the other is an indication of a possible foot problem.
b) With the shoes off can you slide your finger an equal distance under both medial arches? From the back does it look like the Achilles bows in from one side to the other? Both of these can indicate fallen arches
(Failure to address can lead to ankle sprains, heel spurs, plantar fascitis, Achilles tendonitis, knee or hip problems)

Knees: Standing in front of a mirror look at the knee caps - do they look like they are sitting in the same place on each leg or is one higher, more medial, etc. Do the legs look bowed or knocked kneed? These imbalances can lead to chronic knee sprains, hamstring or quad pulls or Achilles tendonitis.

Put both feet together and then sit down in a chair without moving the feet. Look from above at the point on each lower leg just below the knee cap. Does one leg seem to be closer to you or stick out more than the other. This can be due to a hip or lower back misalignment and can lead to back, hip, knee or foot problems.

Pelvis and Spine: Since all of the major muscles attach to the spine and pelvis it is essential that there be good balance from side to side. Any spinal imbalance can create muscle pulls, sprain/strains, tendonitis, or neurological conditions including subtle muscle weakness. In addition, spinal imbalance can result in problems in any of the extremities as a result of the imbalance in muscles and ligaments leading to abnormal stress or due to nerve pressure. Unfortunately, there isn't enough space in this article to cover all the screening tests available for the spine.

In conclusion, being aware of subtle imbalances and having a good chiropractor or sports doctor to help you do this can go a long way in early detection and prevention of overuse injuries. In addition, practicing good technique also is extremely helpful in preventing overuse injuries.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

For Chiropractors - Whiplash and Personal Injury Analysis - Penning's Method


This analysis method is by far one of the most useful for determination of loss of range of motion that I have found. This is a great way to show pre/post x-ray changes in a quantifiable way, and to show how the care you provided helped your patients by improving ligament stability in the cervical spine.

To establish hypomobility or hypermobility of vertebral segments in the sagittal plane, Penning's Method is a one of your greatest methods. This is done with functional examination of the cervical spine in flexion and extension, using radiographic analysis.

If there is a loss of range of motion present, several factors may be found in your patient. You as the attending Cape Girardeau Chiropractor will need to understand these variable factors in order to ensure that the "validity of assessment" criteria have been met according to standards. Doing so will also best help your patient should a personal injury case enter the court room and you find yourself on the witness stand.

The intention of this article is to briefly explain and help Cape Girardeau Chiropractors use this method of functional radiographic diagnosis of the cervical spine during flexion/extension. This will hopefully allow you to better serve your patients and to have solid pre/post analysis. There has been much research done on this topic by Dr Liberti, D.C., as well as many other Doctors and Physicians, such as Dr. Pennings himself.

Completion of Penning's Method

Penning's Method is known by many to be the most widely accepted and utilized method for determining flexion/extension motion. To start the extension film is superimposed on the flexion film, with the C7 vertebrae matching perfectly. Next a line is drawn along one of the edges of the extension film, onto the flexion film. You then do the same with C6. A second line is then drawn. You can now measure an angle between these two lines and this establishes the degree of motion between the C6 and C7 vertebra. You follow this sequence for the rest of the cervical spine to determine the degree of motion between all of the vertebrae. The average values of segmental motion are written about by Dr. Penning: Functional Pathology of the Cervical Spine, 1968 pg 1-25. These values can be compared to determine the amount of dysfunction present in your patient's cervical spine. It should be fairly easy for you to find some examples of these drawings elsewhere on the internet.

To reiterate this is a very valuable method for determining abnormal or pathological conditions such as hyper or hypomobility of the cervical spine.

Penning Method of Radiographic Determination of Loss of Range of Motion:

As an example if the normal for C2-C3 was 12.5 degrees and your patient was 20 degress, your percentage of normal would be 160%. If normal at C3-C4 was 18 degrees and your patient was 15 degrees your percentage of normal would be 83%. This is straight forward, if you would like all the normal values, these can easily be found on the internet.

The percentage of normal is figured out by dividing the patient's values by Penning's established normal values. For example C3-C4 15/18 = 83%. This essentially represents 83% of normal motion at the C3-C4 joint had been maintained. On the other hand you see that 17% of normal motion was lost when compared to the normal value as determined by Penning.

If you look at the C2-C3 level you see that you have 160% of normal motion, or 60% more than normal expected motion at this level. This is clear as to how to read this!

*Values above 100 are HYPERMOBILE

*Values below 100 are HYPOMOBILE

NORMAL at 100% (Values within 10% of 100 are considered to lie within the standard deviation of what is accepted as normal.) So anywhere between 90-110% for all intensive purposed is considered normal.

Further Analysis of example patient:

The interpretation of the above example is as follows; multiple areas of abnormal joint motion and dysfunction are present. Cervical Joint Hypomobility or a loss of normal joint range of motion was found at C3/C4, and C5/C6 motor units. Cervical Joint Hypermobility was present at the C2/C3 motor units.

You can also see a compensatory minimal Hypermobility present at C6/C7, but this falls within the normal standard of deviation.

Restated there are two areas of diminished joint range of motion and one with excessive motion involving the cervical spine segments during flexion/extension in the sagittal plane.

As is obvious, these abnormalities exist within the joints of the cervical spinal column and this analysis has been established radiographically.

As goes without saying, in addition to substantiating loss of joint range of motion, a Cape Girardeau Chiropractor should be looking to further evaluate possible existence of any neurological deficit (either sensory or motor). By simply looking at the mechanical and structural aspects of a particular case however, much can be objectively gained, and you will be able to stand with confidence in saying that structural integrity has improved on this patient if post care analysis shows improvement on Penning's Method. Any degree of improvement substantiates improvement to the patient's ligamentous integrity and of course increased normal range of motion. These two things alone could prove invaluable, should you find yourself testifying in court. I will soon be writing a Part II of this article titled "Objective Scales of Prognosis for Chiropractors doing Whiplash and Personal Injury Cases." If you have found this helpful I am sure this will go a long way to giving you the objective findings you need in validating patient care. If you need any further help finding more information on this, any Cape Girardeau Chiropractic Clinic can feel free to look at the resource box in order to contact me with further questions.

Are Trigger Points Causing You Chronic Back Pain?


There are many treatments for chronic trigger point back pain but the effectiveness of these treatments varies. One of the safest and proven effective methods is by starting chiropractic treatments. Chiropractic treatments address the source of the problem and not just mask the pain with medications.

The term trigger point is all about the place in the body that triggers the pain. Trigger point is a kind of muscle stiffness which resulted from the minute contraction knots developing in the muscle and surrounding tissue areas caused by overworked or injured part of the body. Usually, this happens from car accidents, sports-related injuries, sudden falls or prolonged incorrect posture.

For the chronic back pain, there are generally four muscle groups which are identified to be the trigger points for back pains.

  • Gluteus Medius muscle group: This functions for the legs to be raised sideways and for the stabilization of the pelvis when walking. This muscle group is referred for when the buttocks and belt line are in pain.

  • IlioPsoas muscle group: This functions for the stabilization of the trunk on the hips, lifting of the thighs and the flexing of the trunk forward. This muscle group is referred for when the low back is in pain.

  • QuadratusLumborum muscle group: This functions in helping the spine stabilize and flexing the trunk sideways. This muscle group is referred to when the low back, hip, groin, and gluteal regions are in pain.

  • Rectus Abdominis muscle group: This functions when flexing or curling the trunk on the pelvis and stabilizing the trunk during upright movements. This muscle group is referred to when the belt line, areas in stomach region, and mid back are in pain.

When these points are not treated, stress on other connected areas happen and this can change the way we walk or sit, not to mention the pain it is causing.

Treatments For Chronic Trigger Point Pain

One of the most common cures for trigger points is acquired from the services of physical therapist, massage therapist, and chiropractor. But some people cannot always avail their services because of the cost. That is why self-treatment instruments for trigger points are now widely available. However, the quality of both treatment processes varies. For both treatments, they put deep pressure on the points by massaging. Through this way, they help in relaxing the muscle, therefore removing the pain.

Another treatment is the trigger point injection. In this treatment, a small needle is inserted by a health care professional to the points of the back pain. This injection sometimes contains local anesthesia. When the needle is injected, it deactivates the trigger point, therefore, removing the pain. For people who have allergies, a dry needle is used, which means no medication involved.

Is Chiropractic Treatment Dangerous?


We've all heard stories about someone who was crippled or even killed by a Chiropractor. Sometimes we're even warned by our family doctor not to let our Chiropractor adjust us as it may cause a stroke. Even the L.A. Times recently called the safety of manipulation into question. Just how safe is chiropractic treatment? What are the facts?

1. Due to the extreme rarity of injuries caused by Chiropractic treatment and its unequaled safety record, chiropractic doctors pay only a fraction (i.e. 1/10 to 1/50) the malpractice rates compared to medical physicians. (1)

2. Only 19 deaths have been attributed to Chiropractic treatment worldwide over the latest 65 years studied (1934-1999). In fact, the risk of "serious injury" from anti-inflammatory medication including Aspirin and Advil is 400 times greater than from manipulation. (2)

In other words, it's much safer to have a chiropractic treatment for your neck pain or headache then taking medicine (over the counter or prescribed).

3. Nearly 10,000 studies have been performed on manipulation (making it the most thoroughly studied form of treatment for back pain) and the great majority have found the following when compared to medical treatment:

a. Increased patient satisfaction.

b. Shortened time to return to activities or work.

c. Less permanent disability.

d. Less costly.

The governments of several countries, including the United States (A.H.C.P.R.) and Canada (Manga), have found manipulation to be the most effective form of treatment for back pain. In fact, the Canadian report suggested that Chiropractors be the "gate keepers" for back pain saying that it would save Canada hundreds of millions of dollars if their citizens saw Chiropractor's first. After reviewing all published studies, it was determined that there were "no medical procedures that were as safe as Chiropractic treatment."

The British Medical Journal and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found similar results. In fact, the U.S. government reported that physical therapy and acupuncture were not "cost effective" and that surgery was useful in only 1% of cases.

Further, the report was emphatic that they should be employed only after conservative approaches (like manipulation) were first exhausted.

So why are there still news reports of the dangers of Chiropractic? Lets take a look at the last article that was reported by the journal, "Neurology", and reported in the L.A. Times.

The study found that seven out of the 51 people questioned who had a stroke were adjusted by a Chiropractor in the previous month. This compared to two of those in the control group. So an association was drawn between manipulation and strokes. The problem with making such an opinion is that headaches and neck pain are the early symptoms of this type of stroke. So of course more people with neck pain and headaches sought chiropractic care versus those who were in the control group who were pain free.

This illustrates the problem with association-type studies. They don't show the cause only association. For example, the following is a common example taught in research courses that warn against making conclusions from such studies.

Since there are more churches in violent neighborhoods, churches lead to violence. Actually, establishing churches are a reaction to people living in a violent neighborhood, not a cause.

In fact, another study published by the same journal, "Neurology," found fewer people having strokes if they were adjusted than the control group that wasn't. Unfortunately, that never made the newspapers nor did most of the other studies which showed chiropractic treatment far safer than all other medical treatments.

Why the media prints inflammatory stories while ignoring others that would put your mind at ease is beyond the scope of this paper. But it is unfortunate that people are being scared away from a treatment that is absolutely safer and more effective and by default being directed to one that has significantly greater risks.

Personally, between Dr. Murray and myself, we have practiced about 40 years and have never injured anyone (more than some temporary soreness as part of the treatment). The real danger comes from having musculoskeletal problems that are covered-up with drugs and surgery. Since the cause is not addressed this way, the patients often get worse, more discouraged and depressed and there are often side effects.

We use only the safest of all procedures and specifically screen for all risk factors that make manipulation unsafe. I'm sure you have already noted how thorough we are. This is the only way that you should be treated by any of your doctors. If you ever have questions about the risks or benefits of any procedure, always feel free to speak to us directly.

(1) Malpractice Statistics from the National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance Company, West Des Moines, Iowa.

(2) Terrett, A, Current Concepts in Vertebrobasilar Complications, NCMIC Group, Inc., 2001, p 199.

The Chiropractic Subluxation: What Is It?


The term subluxation is usually new to most people. It's not a word you hear very often unless you see a chiropractor. Subluxation, in chiropractic terms, refers to a joint that has become fixated or "stuck" and mispositioned, essentially losing its normal biomechanical function which simply means it doesn't move like it is supposed to. This can occur in nearly all of the joints in the body and likewise treated in nearly all of the joints in the body. In the spine, a subluxated vertebra can create interference with nerve function. This is caused not so much by "pinching" or compressing the nerve, although that is one aspect of it, but more through stretching, pulling and rubbing on the nerve that is associated with the subluxated vertebra. When a joint is not moving normally and functioning correctly, it can cause a dis-relationship between it and the nerves passing through and around it. This may create irritation of the nerve which causes inflammation which leads to pain and decreased function of whatever part of the body, whether it be organs, muscles or other tissues, it supplies. A specific chiropractic adjustment is meant to correct this problem, restoring the normal biomechanical function or movement of the vertebra and joint thus relieving any irritation of the nerve. This in turn helps relieve pain and allows the nerve supply to areas of the body function properly.

So can a subluxation really cause that many problems? The most common reason people see chiropractors is for relief of their pain. And, granted, that is the most subjective outcome that patients see. However, correcting the subluxation that is interfering with the nerve that is causing the pain is also restoring a vital function of your body, nerve transmission. Without getting into the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, it is easily the most essential system in your body. It is, in essence, your wiring that controls and coordinates every single thing happening inside you right now. So when it's not working properly, it is inherently going to effect how your body functions. In 1921, a medical doctor by the name of Henry Winsor decided to study the relationship between organs and their nerve supply, particularly where it originated from the spinal cord. He did several autopsies and found that there was an overwhelming correlation between diseased organs and 'minor curvatures' in the spine where the nerves associated with those organs originated. If an organ is left with inadequate nerve supply it will not be able to function at its normal capacity. Other studies have found that just 8-10mm of pressure, about the weight of a dime, can reduce nerve transmission. A subluxation is much more than just a "bone out of place", it is a truly substantial problem that is often seen simply as an aggravation.

Most chiropractors have a true passion for what they do and desire to help as many people as they can. This usually comes in the form of getting patients out of pain but most also want to help their patients live a healthy life. By restoring the normal biomechanical function of your spine, chiropractors are not only alleviating pain but also allowing your body to function properly and as a whole. This creates an optimal state and opportunity in your body for it to do its job and heal itself as it was meant to do. Correcting subluxations is one step closer to restoring and preserving your health.

When is a Bladder Problem Really a Nerve Problem?


Integrative neurology combines the knowledge of medical neurology (the study of the brain and nerves) with complimentary techniques like acupuncture, chiropractic and herbal therapies.

You might do a double-take when reading about Interstitial Cystitis and Prostatitis in relation to neurology.

These conditions are normally treated by a urology specialist not an integrative neurologist.

Many times, however, no urological cause can be found for interstitial cystitis.

Emerging data suggests that some patients with chronic bladder or prostate pain actually are suffering from a type of pelvic neuropathy.

In those patients whose cystitis or prostatitis is due to pelvic neuropathy, Integrative Neurology techniques like laser or acupuncture can often produce dramatic pain relief.

Research suggests that some patients with cystitis, may have a unique form of bladder inflammation known as neurogenic inflammation.

For this type of inflammation, the usual therapy is most often inadequate.

But this same research suggests that neurogenic inflammation produced by one set of nerves, can often be suppressed by the action of another set of nerves.

These anti-inflammatory nerves are called the descending anti-inflammatory pathway. Stimulating them suppresses inflammation. You might be confused by the complexity of all this, but the take-home message is that sometimes we can stimulate one set of nerves that turn off the inflammation in the pelvic organs caused by over-activity in other, pro-inflammatory nerves. So for women with interstitial cystitis and men with chronic prostatitis that haven't responded well to typical urological treatment, integrative neurology techniques can offer substantial pain relief.

So men suffering from chronic prostatitis and women suffering from interstitial cystitis might want to consult with an Integrative Neurologist as an alternative source of treatment.

Curing Chronic Headaches With Chiropractic Care


According to the American Chiropractic Association, nine out of ten Americans suffer from some kind of headaches. Most of these sufferers turn to pills to help them handle the pain without ever treating the root of the problem. In fact, the longer you use pills to mask the problem the more you build up a tolerance and are forced to up the dosage. This can lead to a host of problems including intestinal issues and even liver failure.

The key to ridding yourself of headaches is to target the origin of the pain which is often muscle or nerve tension in the neck. Chiropractic techniques such as massage, adjustment and digital motion x-ray can locate the source of the headache and through spinal decompression and other realignment techniques, end the cycle of pain.

So what types of headaches can benefit from chiropractic care? Ninety-five percent of headaches can be classified as primary headaches which are caused by migraines, tension and cervicogenic headaches (originating in the neck). You can think of your spinal cord as the circuit breaker for your body, containing the twenty-four circuits, or vertebrae. Each vertebra is wired along the nerves to every part of your body, including organs, glands and muscles. Any physical stress can impact those circuits and send pain shooting along your nerves, often resulting in those chronic headaches. Chiropractic techniques can be applied to all of these in order to find relief.

Migraine headaches are the result of changes in vascular flow and can be caused by smells, food, changes in weather, hormones or stress. Chiropractic adjustments, including careful manipulation of the spine and neck can reduce nerve irritation and prevent referred pain. It can also lead to improved vascular flow. Tension headaches are usually a product of chronic stress and often are combined with cervicogenic headaches. A chiropractor will use a combination of techniques to relieve pain. They may use their hands for trigger point therapy, massage, and other supporting treatments as well as gentle spinal decompression. Digital motion x-rays may be utilized to locate specific sites of disc injury. A chiropractor may also recommend some light stretches and posture changes that you can do in between treatments or on a regular basis to help prevent recurrences.

The key to finding long-term relief with chiropractic care is to find a chiropractor that you are comfortable with and to make sure to inform your regular care doctor of your new plan. The chiropractor should be able to offer advice about techniques to practice on your own and it is important to follow them regularly! Regular practice on your own and chiropractic care can offer relief to people who have lived with chronic headaches for far too long.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Sciatic Nerve Pain - Specific Chiropractic Treatment Alternatives That Eliminate Lower Back Pain


As a chiropractor here in Plano, Texas, I often have patients who come in for treatment because of lower back pain, and some find that it's the sciatic nerve that's giving them the pain. Sciatica is commonly seen as a pain of the lower back which runs down from the back into the leg. This pain can be sharp, tingling and cause numbness of the lower back and leg. As part of my chiropractic care, I prescribe non-surgical methods to bring relief to my patients.

The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest single nerve in your body. It branches off at the base of the spine and runs down each side of your pelvic area, supplying nerve impulses to your butt, legs and feet. If you've ever experienced sciatica, you know how debilitating this pain can be. I've seen patients, who could barely walk, couldn't bend over, or even stand. There are a lot of things that can trigger problems with your sciatic nerve, poor posture when you sit, slip and fall on your butt, improper swing while playing golf, and the list goes on. For most of my patients, I recommend, certain exercise, lots of rest, and certain pain medication, while they recuperate. Usually you will be back to your normal self within 2-3 weeks. However, if your pain is still severe and continues beyond 2 months, it might be necessary to consider surgery as a last resolve. In this article I will focus on alternative methods to treat this condition and leave the surgery to those more qualified.

Chiropractic Treatments and Alternatives at Home

I immediately recommend heat packs and ice packs. Both can be used independently or combined at various intervals. If you do not have access to over the counter packs, please use ice in a Ziploc bag and heated towels or a heating pad. Both should be applied for 20 to 30 minutes and then repeated every 2-3 hours. This should bring relief until the patient can get in to my office.

Along with heat and ice, I suggest that you use Tylenol, Advil, ibuprofen, or naproxen to help reduce the pain. Another consideration if the pain is very acute is the use epidural steroid injections. These injections are different from the oral steroid medicines because the steroid is given directly to the injured area and should bring immediate relief from the pain, much quicker than meds or oral steroids. This must be administered by a qualified medical specialist, I do not provide this service but can recommend other medical professionals who do.

Alternative Chiropractic Treatment at my Office

Chiropractors sometimes suggest the need for exercise. This might sound counter productive, but very mild exercise along with the other treatments listed above, can help strengthen muscles of the lower back and your stomach muscles. To qualify the type of exercise I recommend, I prescribe simple stretching starting slowly and gradually increasing as you recover and also to prevent future recurrences of sciatica or other back pain.The equipment I've installed at my office is very effective in helping with the pain and if utilized correctly, will contribute to end of sciatic pain.

Other techniques for pain relief are spinal decompression, cold laser therapy, heat and cold applied with gentle massage therapy. I have patients who I see in my office that usually need a combination of the above techniques to resolve their sciatic pain. We use various forms of massage and cold laser to relax patient's muscles, improve blood flow, and most important, the release of endorphins in the body that act as natural pain relievers.

Last but not least, a highly effective technique for treatment that is being used more and more is acupuncture. Most people think of being a human pin cushion and even though the origins of this technique were developed by the Chinese, it is an approved procedure for back pain by the FDA. A qualified and trained acupuncturist can provide relief from back pain by simply using thin needles inserted in the area where you feel discomfort. Acupuncture focuses on the applied principle of harmonizing your body's flow of energy through various pathways in the body. There is no guarantee that this or any other combination of treatments will totally eliminate sciatica from recurring but if you follow the advice of your chiropractor and seek help early, you should prevent this from happening again in the future.

Straight Chiropractic - Correcting Bad Posture


QUESTION Does having bad posture really affect my health?

ANSWER Yes, it can! A slumped over posture can lead to rounded shoulders, forward head carriage and an increased hump in the upper back. Besides looking bad it can lead to muscle aches and pains, stiffness in the neck and low back and most importantly of all spinal subluxations. Spinal subluxations are misalignments of the vertebrae in our spine. Subluxations interfere with the nervous system's ability to send messages to their intended target whether it be an organ like the liver or muscles that allow you to move. Spinal subluxations impair our body's ability to perform at peak potential. Over time chronic subluxations lead to a decline in health and eventually disease processes that may be difficult to treat because of neglect in caring for our bodies.

QUESTION How did I get bad posture?

ANSWER Bad posture can occur from repetitive activities like desk work or commuting. Muscular weakness can develop from lack of exercise, age or injury resulting in postural imbalances. Weakness in our postural muscles causes us to lose the battle against gravity resulting in slumping or rounding of our shoulders. Our bodies often begin to compensate from these postural changes leading to further imbalances in our spines and more spinal subluxations.

QUESTION How can chiropractic correct my bad posture?

ANSWER Chiropractic care corrects vertebral subluxations. By correcting misalignments through spinal adjusting nerve flow can be restored allowing the body to function normally and return to health. A body that is able to reach its full potential can begin an exercise program to include specific exercises to strengthen and stretch key muscles. Postural exercises that re-train the effect of "muscle memory" are important as well. Your muscles get used to holding you a certain way and need to be re-trained. Spinal manipulation is important to allow your spine to be in a correct position so the muscles can function as designed.

QUESTION Are there things I can do on my own to help my posture?

ANSWER Certainly! Assessing your working environment for postural stresses, poor driving habits or other repetitive tasks can be very helpful. Ergonomics is the fancy word for just this task. You can do this yourself or ask your chiropractor for advice on simple changes that can reduce the stress placed upon your body. Repetitive stress can lead to micro-trauma resulting in aches and pains that go beyond poor posture.

The Tools of the Modern Chiropractor


A modern chiropractor may specialize in a specific area only but may use a wide variety of methods and tools to address different general health issues and neuromuskuloskeletal problems. Most common methods include soft tissue therapy, dry needling, strength training, traction, functional electrical simulation, and nutritional recommendations. Alternate methods are sometimes used as a part of a holistic treatment approach.

There may be many forms of treatments involved in Chiropractic Medicine but the cornerstone of care remains to be chiropractic adjustment. This is to restore and maintain function of extremity joints and the spine.

Here are the different methods of diagnosis and care that chiropractic doctors most commonly use today:

Graston Technique

This is the latest technology in soft tissue therapy that entails deep muscle massage to relieve pain and tension along with reducing scar tissue formation. This is often applied in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments as it helps relax the muscles.

This offers a quick and effective way of treating various conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, neck pain, back pain, rotator cuff syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

The great benefits make Graston technique a popular choice among athletes like those in NBA, NFL, AFL, NHL, MLB, and even PGA.

Digital Motion X-ray (DMX)

This is a modern-day diagnostic test that allows radiologists to visualize and evaluate all body joints in motion enabling doctors to specifically determine which ligament or soft tissue is damaged or injured. This enables recording of any joint in motion with real-time, full motion x-ray imaging.

Trigger Point Injections (TPI)

This is a famous option among patients with chronic pain. This is a procedure done by treating painful areas of muscles that contain the trigger points or the knots that tensed muscles form.

The injection usually contains a local anesthetic with corticosteroid that renders the trigger point inactive that further results in alleviation of the pain.

Spinal Decompression

This is the non-surgical and drug-free method of treating chronic lower back pain, sciatica, herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, and even relapsed or failed back surgery. The method entails using a state-of-the-art technology to apply a distraction force to relieve nerve compression that causes pain.

Spinal decompression also works in the way that it causes the disc to heal through stimulating the cartilage to regenerate and causes the nutrient-rich blood to fill the disc spaces.

Kinesio (Sports Tape)

This is a latex-free therapeutic taping technique that is more popular among athletes. It is applied to the body in various ways over joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments to support and stabilize the certain area.

Kinesio taping facilitates the natural healing process of the body while helping to reduce inflammation and alleviate the pain.

Common Myths of Chiropractic Care


Holistic methods of medical care are perhaps the most ancient and hazard-free methods of healthcare available today because of natural and organic strategies. Chiropractic medicine has the capability to treat and manage all medical and metabolic issues by absolutely natural methods. However, most of the people prefer pharmacological and surgical interventions today over chiropractics and other modes of alternative medicine because of some baseless myths.

A few of these myths are:

Myth # 1: Chiropractic therapy is hazardous:

Some people think that chiropractic is considered hazardous since it requires spinal manipulation and handling with cervical vertebra, joints and intervertebral discs that may damage delicate nerves and vessels, which is not true. If you are choosing your chiropractor after deliberate research and someone who is qualified and certified, the chance of any complications or hazards is minimal.

It has been proven that back surgery (performed for realignment of intervertebral discs for back pain) has a failure rate of 80%, according to Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons compared to over 90% success rate of chiropractic therapies.

Myth # 2: Pharmacologic therapy is superior over Chiropractic therapy

Pharmacologic therapy is generally preferred over holistic methods for a number of reasons. Pills are more conveniently available from stores and you can consume it anytime you like. Secondly pills provide instant relief from symptoms within 15 minutes of intake. Conventionally speaking, a chiropractor does not provide all these advantages but in terms of long term benefits, cure and rate of complications, chiropractic therapy is ranked fairly high as compared to pharmacologic or surgical therapy.

Statistics have shown that each year almost 16,500 arthritis patients die due to NSAID related complications and so far there have been no significant long term complications associated with chiropractic therapy.

Myth # 3: Cost of chiropractic therapy is very high

People compare the cost of pills and doctor's visit with a session of chiropractic therapy and avoid the latter due to high costs; however, most of the insurance policies now consider chiropractic therapy as a mode of treatment and provide full coverage. Moreover, since chiropractics promotes natural healing processes within the body, the incidence of surgeries and other therapies is extremely low in individuals who adopt holistic methods of treatment for the maintenance of health.

The fact is, almost 7.5 million individuals undergo unnecessary medical and surgical interventions that increase the healthcare cost unnecessarily. Analytical data proved that only 13% surgical or medical therapies are effective and the efficacy status of 46% therapies is unknown as stated in the British Medical Journal clearly indicating that most of the therapies are unnecessary and economic burden on patients.

Myth # 4: Chiropractic therapy is painful:

When you are in pain, you want something that quickly relieves your pain and discomfort, which is why pain-killers are the most popular mode of therapy. Chiropractic therapy on the other hand involves a number of techniques, few of which include spinal manipulation or deep tissue massage that may be painful immediately after the procedure; however, chiropractic therapy is more effective in the long-term as compared to pain killers that just numb the tissue and add tons of toxins and metabolic by-products that are harmful for the body.

Myth # 5: Chiropractics are not doctors

For the treatment or management of any remedy, most people rely on a licensed medical doctor; however there is misconception in a lot of people that chiropractors are not real or certified doctors, which is not true. Like an average medical doctor, chiropractors study human anatomy, physiology and other medical subjects and spend 4,485 hours in a classroom. Like a medical doctor, chiropractors are also licensed practitioners and have thorough knowledge of basic spine anatomy and physiology. They also take national and state level exams for the evaluation of their skills.

According to a report published in World Federation of Chiropractic Congress a basic exam was constructed in order to access the knowledge and grip of healthcare professionals on the subject of musculoskeletal physiology and pathophysiology. To everybody's surprise, almost 82% of medical orthopedic residents failed the same test that 70% chiropractic final quarter students passed. Amazing but true!

Myth # 6: Chiropractic therapy is not for all individuals:

Technically chiropractic treatment can serve as a mainstream therapy to treat moderate to severe spinal, musculoskeletal or neurovascular issues in individuals of all age groups. There is a common myth that chiropractic therapy is only helpful for treatment in the elderly and must not be used to treat issues in children. According to recommendations of OSHA, this type of therapy is extremely safe in children and since physical/ musculoskeletal injuries are very common, chiropractic therapy is perhaps the safest and most recommended form of treatment for spinal and physical injuries.

To sum up, there are a number of other myths but most of the misconceptions hold no ground. Chiropractic therapy is not only cost-effective but is also more convenient and has no long terms risks or side effects. Besides, it helps the body to heal with natural and organic methods and improves overall health and fitness.

Chiropractic Treatment - Misunderstood and Under Used


Chiropractic treatment has been around for just over 125 years. Yet, it is still one of the most misunderstood treatment options in America. This fact probably stems from bad press.. some deserved and some not so.

Let me explain... In the mid 1930's there existed two professions that focused on the correlation between proper spinal function and health. They were really two different organizations that did basically the same thing. Chiropractic and Osteopathy. Both professions, at that point in their existence focused entirely on manipulation of the spine in order to restore proper bodily function. During that time period, the AMA offered both societies the opportunity to join them. The only caveat... they would both have to include the use of medication in their treatment of patients. The osteopaths agreed, the chiropractors stuck to their roots and said no. Unfortunately, the AMA did not think too kindly to rejection. It wasn't as if the early chiropractors were dissing the AMA, it was just that they wanted to give people a separate and distinct alternative for health care.

Along the way, the chiropractic profession has suffered a tremendous amount of bad press along with serious negativity from most family physicians. It is easy to understand why... up until the 1980's it was an ethics violation for medical doctors to even share records with a chiropractor. This all came to a head with a landmark court case in which the AMA, among others were found guilty of violating Sherman Anti trust laws.. ie. trying to monopolize the health field. ( for all the details see Wilk v. American Medical Association, 895 F.2d 352 (7th Cir. 1990), was a federal antitrust suit brought against the American Medical Association (AMA) and 10 co-defendants by chiropractor Chester A. Wilk, DC, and four co-plaintiffs. It resulted in a ruling against the AMA.

After the lawsuit came to an end, medical doctors were forced to share records with chiropractors, but the damage was already done. There were fully two generations of people who were brainwashed into thinking that chiropractic was dangerous and had no benefit for people. That has been very difficult to overcome for the chiropractic profession, because of the inbred bias against the profession. To be accurate, lets note that in the early 1940's and 1950's the education and training of chiropractors was much different than current day., So, at that time, some of the bad press was probably warranted. However, today, chiropractors are licensed in all 50 states and are very well trained. There is much more rigorous control on all doctors of all disciplines in today's world. That is a good thing, because patients need to have the assurances that they are receiving treatment from highly qualified professionals.

To give you a very small description as to why chiropractic care should be utilized in order to have the best health possible, consider the following..... Our brains control all functions of our body...No argument there. Over 90% of the information coming out of the brain travels through the spinal column before it goes to the vital cells, organs, and tissues of the body. In order to have the best health, the spine must be functioning as it was designed in order for those cells tissues and organs to work properly. This fact simply makes sense. There was a recent study that showed that chiropractic treatment was the most cost effective procedure for helping back pain. But even that is short sighted. Chiropractic care helps your health because it restores proper nerve function. That has much more long reaching effects than just pain relief. For more information and to have your questions answered feel free to visit the website below.

Neck Pain - Chiropractic Care Related to Cervical Spine Injury


Most people do not realize how much stress is on their neck, with its great degree of flexibility and support of your 12-14 pound head, coupled with the fact that it has the least amount of muscular stabilization in the spine means that your neck is very susceptible to injury. The spinal cord runs directly through middle opening of vertebrae and sends signals to every muscle, organ, and system of the body. Between each pair of cervical vertebrae, the spinal cord sends out a nerve that runs anywhere from your neck and upper back down to the hands and fingers. This means that if you get pain, numbness, tinging, cold or other symptoms in your hand and arm, it can actually be a problem in your neck! This can often mimic and can be confused with carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes a similar pain in the wrist and hand.

Your neck was also created with built-in shock absorbers, including both the intervertebral disc and whats called a cervical lordosis or curve. This curve acts like a spring and absorbs the shock of your head resting on your neck. When your neck loses this lordotic curve, the ligaments of the neck become stretched and lose their ability to maintain the curve. This would resemble the pressure a bowling ball resting on top of a spring versus a bowling ball now on top of a stick. Which do you think causes more pressure? This loss of the lordotic curve can occur from a number of things including an automobile accident, chronic poor posture, or vertebral misalignments left untreated by a chiropractor.

Poor posture is a very common cause of joint dysfunction in the neck, and can cause problems in the shoulders and upper back as well. This is a very common trend seen in a chiropractic office. Bad postural habits are often the result of poor tendencies such as reading in bed, slouching while sitting or driving, and leaning forward to look at a computer screen. These are causes of poor posture, and each one of them can be corrected by getting adjusted by your chiropractor and learning the proper way to position yourself during day to day activities. One thing to keep in mind with neck posture is to not let your head bend forward or hunch for long periods of time. Also, make sure you get up and walk around every hour to keep motion in the joints if you are sitting in one position for a long time. When you are sitting, make sure your head is in a neutral position and you back is supported, keep your knees slightly lower than your hips, and rest your arms especially if you are working with a keyboard or mouse.

Bozeman Chiropractic