Archive for July, 2009
Chiropractic Treatment Can Help Your Child’s Earaches and Ear Infections
Earache is the most widespread basis for office visits to pediatricians. More than 70 percent of children will have had at least one earache by the age of three, and nearly one-third will have had three or more earache incidents. What you might not know, however, is that earache is also the most general reason for children under the age of five years to be escorted by parents to the chiropractor’s office.
How Chiropractic Care Relates to Earache and Ear Infections
A pediatrician who suspects that a child with an earache has a middle ear infection will usually prescribe antibiotics as a typical course of treatment. New analysis, however, has determined that such practices are often misguided. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial pathogens, and due to the fact that the child’s middle ear infection may be generated by a virus, antibiotics are ineffectual. This may be the reason for a child’s chronic ear infections.
One of a number of determinations that a Honolulu chiropractor can make is whether the earache or ear infection is produced by irritation of the small nerves in the spine, called free nerve endings.
An undue tension in the small muscles of the neck is created when these nerve endings are inflammed. Pressure created on the lymphatic drainage ducts as a result of muscle tension can stop adequate drainage from inside the ear. This problem keeps the body from naturally rectifying the problem. Furthermore, balance can also be affected.
Identification by a chiropractor of such a problem is made by the discovery of increased tension in the neck and paraspinal muscles. Normally more tension is felt on the side of earache. In addition, the chiropractor will palpate to see which spinal vertebrae are either moderately out of alignment or not moving within their normal range. There are a number of reasons for such acondition as the result of the many bangs, jolts, and falls the majority of children encounter growing up. Many times, a short regimen of spinal adjustments and manipulation of the neck muscles can help to restore normal lymph drainage. If your child is suffering from an earache or an ear infection, see your Honolulu chiropractor as soon as possible.
Advanced Research and Guidelines
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ear infection, the most frequent childhood sickness after the common cold, accounts for nearly 30 million doctor visits every year. What’s more, at least 6 million courses of antibiotics are causelessly prescribed for the problem.Just recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines for treating pediatric ear inflammation, and expressly recommended a period of “watchful waiting” since, in many cases, infections clear up on their own, without medication.
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) applauds the AAP on the guidelines and underlines that chiropractic treatment is a “good first option” for treating ear infection conservatively. “Doctors of chiropractic have been treating children for decades with great success – helping them to avoid painful ear infections, antibiotic overuse and resistance, and ear tube surgery,” said ACA President Donald Krippendorf, DC. “Particularly when dealing with young children, drugs and surgery should be an absolute last resort.”
Chiropractic and Your Child’s Health
Is It Safe To Adjust Children? FAQ#7
Today’s moms and dads are more concerned than ever about the adverse effects pharmaceuticals have on their children. Moms and dads want to know if there is more that they can do for their child than to give them pharmaceuticals.
Many children’s prescription and non-prescription drugs often not only mask a child’s symptoms, but can generate negative side effects. Their desire to maintain a healthier state for their children has encouraged parents to look for health care options that assist their child’s own innate ability to be healthy.
Chiropractic care is that option. All children are stronger with 100% nerve function. The immune system is controlled by the nervous system. When it is working at its peak, children stay healthier. As far as a child’s health is concerned, “the best offense is a good defense.” Everyday, children are exposed to massive amounts of airborn, food-born, and contact bacteria. So many bacteria, in fact, that it would be inconceivable to immunize them against them all. Your Camarillo Chiropractor is very familiar with colds, sore throats, ear infections, fevers, colic, asthma, tonsillitis, allergies, bed-wetting, infections, pains, falls, stomach-aches, and the hundred and one little (and big) things children go through as they grow up.
One of the functions of a chiroractor is to keep your child healthy and strong so that the illnesses that appear to be an inescapable part of childhood, either won’t affect your child as fiercely or will not affect them at all. The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to remove interferences to the innate healing power running through the body. When that power is unleashed, the changes that take place may often be profound.
Furthermore, when a child’s spine is in alignment, he or she is far less vulnerable to sports and play injuries. In addition, children who get adjusted on a regular basis more often than not don’t experience as many “growing pains” as other children.
Each day at your Camarillo Chiropractor it’s apparent that more and more parents are bringing their children to our clinic to help to take care of the questions and concerns they have about their children’s health. All children are entitled to manifest their fullest potential. Chiropractic care for children at your chiropractor is safe, gentle and effective.
Adjust Away Your Foot Problems
Introduction
Generally speaking, we, humans, take 3,000-5,000 steps per day. Add to that activities such as running and aerobic exercise, and we add not only more steps, but stress, to our already overly-worked feet. It is no wonder that a large number of people have aches and pains in this part of the body. Several components influence whether or not a person will get foot and ankle pain, such as flat or over-pronated feet, individual walking and running style, and the type of shoe a person wears. These factors not only affect feet and ankles, but also the health of the back, knees and legs. Detailed below are several of the most prevalent conditions that affect the feet and ankle.
Hallux Valgus and Bunions
Hallux Valgus is a condition that takes place when the big toe or hallux deviates towards the outside of the foot, frequently nearly overlapping or bumping into the adjacent toe. It is a slow-developing condition that usually develops a bump on the inside of the big toe, called a bunion. The pain associated with Hallux Valgus is generally experienced during weight-bearing activities such as walking or prolonged standing.But, if someone has developed a bunion, the pain can be present at rest and is often described as a “numbing” or “burning” sensation in the big toes.
To be clear, the actual challenge is not in the bone, itself, but in the joint between the big toe and the first metatarsal bone, i.e., the first metatarsal-phalangeal. It is the damage to this joint that produces the pain and deformity associated with Hallux Valgus. The problem is generally the aftereffect of wear and tear over a long period of time from factors such as over-pronation that creates abnormal pressure on the big toe and first metatarsal during walking. Another cause of Hallux Valgus is inflammatory arthritis that can injure the joint and create degenerative changes. A broken toe that does not heal effectively can also predispose a person to Hallux Valgus. Although, one of the most recognizable causes of the problem is the high-heeled and pointed shoes that women frequently wear. These shoes not only put extra stress on the joint, but also aid in pushing the big toe to the outside.
If you have symptoms of Hallux Valgus, your chiropractor can examine your foot to determine which factors are contributing to your condition, and then use a range of chiropractic techniques and modalities to lessen pain and improve the function of your foot.
Plantar Fascitis ( Heel Pain )
One of the most common foot afflictions is heel pain, and the cause is usually inflammation of the plantar fascia or Plantar Fascitis. The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue that encircles the muscles on the bottom of the foot . It attaches the heel bone to the ball of the foot, supporting the arch, protecting the foot, and absorbing shock.
Those with Plantar Fascitis frequently complain of pain in the morning after first standing when they get out of bed and also when they stand up after having sat for a while. The pain begins just in front of the heel bone, but can extend over the entire bottom of the foot.
If left untreated, irritation associated with the ailment can lead to the development of scar tissue, calcium deposits and sooner or later heel spurs. These spurs are a bony growth on the front part of the calcaneus of the heel bone where the plantar fascia adheres and can cause a acute stabbing pain with walking
There are many factors that are instrumental in the development of Plantar Fascitis though people who have other foot conditions, especially Pes Planus (flat feet) and over-pronation are most susceptible. Muscle imbalances between the calf muscles and the muscles on the bottom of the foot are a crucial contributing factor. Frequently the calf muscles get short and tight exerting a strong pull upon the back of the calcaneus. Such a condition produces unnatural stress on the smaller, weaker plantar muscles and its fascia that are connected to the other side of the calcaneus. Wearing high heels will create a shorting and tightening of the calf muscles, as will running and jumping activities. Sudden strenuous activity after a period of prolonged inactivity, aberrant walking patterns (such as over-pronation), inappropriate footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces (especially barefooted), and obesity all stress the plantar fascia.
Nurses, teachers, and waiters who are required to be continuously on their feet, and those whose activities involve aerobic, volleyball, running, basketball, and tennis are more disposed to Plantar Fascitis.
It is often hard to manage Plantar Fascitis once it has developed, and the problem can become extremely painful and ceaseless. Chiropractors are well-trained in not only determining the cause of your condition, but in recommending appropriate treatment, such as joint manipulation, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, special taping, ultrasound therapy and, in some cases, orthotics.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis is a painful, and often, debilitating irritation of the Achilles tendon, also called the “heel cord.” This large tendon is a continuance of the two biggest calf muscles and runs down the back of the lower leg attaching to the heel bone or calcaneus. Damage to this significant tendon can make it hard or even impossible to walk. More often than not, a debilitating injury to the tendon is the result of an accumulation of smaller stresses that create small tears over time, although a sudden, single incident, such as jumping, can also be the cause of a serious problem. Because the symptoms appear gradually, in the beginning many Achilles Tendonitis sufferers may attribute the initial discomfort to the aches and pains that go along with age or fatigue. Nevertheless, the ailment will gradually worsen, especially if the person attempts to “work through” the pain. In severe cases, a total rupture of the tendon can take place, resulting in traumatic harm and intense pain that makes walking virtually impossible and may even require corrective surgery.
Athletes and performers, such as dancers, whose activities involve not only running and jumping, but sudden starts and stops, are expressly vulnerable to Achilles tendonitis. In addition, women who typically wear high-heeled shoes are also at risk, particularly if they switch to sport shoes for exercise. In these cases, the Achilles tendon and muscles gradually habituate to the shortened position produced by wearing high-heels, as the heel does not have to stretch all the way to the ground. When this comes about, the switch to exercise or flat shoes forces the Achilles tendon to stretch further than it is adapted to, thereby causing stress and inflammation. If possible, high-heels should not be worn everyday. But, if it is not possible, then stretching every morning and night can help to keep the Achilles tendon lengthened.
As mentioned above, Achilles tendonitis is often age-related, expressly in men who are athletes. As a person ages, the arch tends to flatten creating over-pronation and increased stress on the Achilles tendon, as well as the calf and foot muscles. Similarly, problems are also common in the “weekend warrior” who exercises infrequently, as well as those who are just beginning to exercise. In such people, the muscles and tendons have little flexibility due to inactivity, and immoderacy in exercise in the beginning can create tendonitis. Therefore, people who are just starting to exercise after a long layoff should stretch properly, start slowly, and increase gradually.
Despite the origin, if you are experiencing Achilles tendonitis symptoms, it is important for you to see a qualified professional. Your chiropractor is a highly-skilled professional who can help you to manage the ailment before it becomes severe.
Pes Planus ( Flat Feet )
It is estimated that almost one quarter of humans have Pes Planus, more commonly known as flat feet. Human beings are not born with an arch, but develop them somewhere between ages 3-10. However, some individuals never develop an arch. There are a number of factors, in addition to genetic disposion that can cause flat feet, or predispose a person to the condition. A person’s job, level of activity, and lifestyle can create a previously-developed arch to collapse later in life. Age and weight also are implicated in the development of the affliction. Middle-aged individuals who have been working on their feet for years often experience flat feet, as do overweight sufferers who are placing added stress on their feet and legs.
Some individuals have flat feet and never feel any distress, while others experience pain in the feet and knees, and occasionally in the hips and lower back as well. If you have flat feet and are experiencing distress, your Orlando chiropractor can prepare a treatment plan to not only help with pain reflief, but assist in preventing further problems from developing. Chiropractic therapy includes joint adjustments to improve foot function and eliminate painful symptoms. Your chiropractor may also prescribe arch-supporting insoles, called orthotics, for additional support and stability.
Metatarsalgia ( Pain in the ball of the foot )
Metatarsalgia is occasionally called “ball-of-foot pain,” as it is a pain on the sole of the foot just behind the toes where the foot bends during walking. The pain is caused by a dyfunction in one or more of the five metatarsal bones that extend from about halfway up the foot to the toes.
While many people with metatarsalgia feel pain where their metatarsal bones join their toe bones, some also feel discomfort along the entire length of the metatarsals and possibly between them. Challenges vary from stiffness upon movement to a burning or stinging sensation. The amount of pain depends upon whether the affliction is due to a dysfunction in the joints or an inflammation to the nerves as they travel along the metatarsals.
The cause of the problem is due to either structural or functional reasons. When a structural problem takes palce, such as when the metacarpal bones are either too long or too short, it creates abnormal mechanics in the feet and unnecessary on the entire area. Flat feet or excessive arch can also alter the stresses on the metatarsals causing similar symptoms.
There are other factors that can affect these bones that are often in the control of the sufferer. These include excess body weight, tight or high-heeled shoes, and excessive or poor running or athletic training. Too much weight and the wearing high-heeled shoes both increase stress upon the metatarsal, which leads to joint pain and nerve aggravation. Repetitive foot activities, like running, directly stress the metatarsals by exposing them to constant trauma.
Regardless of the cause, a chiropractor can beneficially treat metatarsalgia. After analysing what factors are underlying your condition, your chiropractor can offer a variety of non-invasive therapies, including orthotics, as well as give advice on how you can avoid future pain.
See your Orlando chiropractor as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the foot problems mentioned above.
Adjust Your Posture, Get Rid of Your Knee Pain
San Jose Chiropractor: Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions
Knee pain and disability is widespread, second only to spinal problems within the musculoskeletal system. Conditions concerning the knee can be separated into several categories including unsatisfactory of the knee and faulty foot mechanics due to foot pain, general overuse of the knee joint, inflammation due to arthritic changes in the joint, and traumatic injury from events such as sports and falls.
Non-trauma knee problems: Insufficient mechanics of the knee joint and the associated stress on the soft tissues of the knee are, by far, the most widespread cause of non-traumatic pain. Normally, the part of the knee affected is the patella or knee-cap. Many times the patella does not move evenly or does not move efficiently on the femur during bending of the knee causing too much stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This specific condition is often called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). The problem most often begins when there are imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that attach to and move the patella. Lower back conditions, particularly in the sacroiliac joints, are one of the foremost reasons for imbalances in the muscles related to knee movement, and ensuing knee problems. Imbalances in muscle groups that attach to the knee can also lead to pain and dysfunction. For example, the muscles on the inside of the thigh, when strained and tight, can create pain on the medial or inside of the knee. Faulty foot mechanics that produce gait irregularities such as pronation, are another cause of mechanical knee pain.
Indications of overuse include pain during activities such as climbing stairs, running, jumping, as well as pain upon getting up after prolonged sitting. A number of women appear to be predisposed to painful overuse conditions for anatomical reasons, however such ailments are often due to wearing high heels on a regular basis.
It is important to re-establish proper muscle balance, restore appropriate motion to the patella and other knee joints, and to correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and bones of the foot. In certain cases, a brace is adopted to help with the adjustment of the patella or to stabilize the joint. Chiropractors, such as your San Jose chiropractor, are highly experienced in administering the correct diagnosis and care of these conditions.
Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries often take place during sports that involve running and jumping, especially. Sprains take place when tissue is torn due to the knee being stretched or twisted beyond the strength of the ligaments that hold the joint in place. Strains to muscles that move the knee can occur when the muscles are torn during injury. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can vary from a slight injury that requires little treatment to a extreme injury needing surgery. The knee also contains two special “cartilages” – the menisci – between the tibia and the femur that facilitate frictionless motion and cushioning. These cartilages can also be torn during trauma, and often require surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.
Traumatic knee injuries can produce intense pain and swelling and necessitate urgent examination and care. In the majority of cases an experienced chiropractor, such as your San Jose Chiropractor, can take excellent care of these problems, however there are some injuries that do need the skills of an orthopedic surgeon. Nevertheless, it is vital to stabilize the injured joint right away and to put ice on the hurt area, if possible, until the injury can be evaluated.
If poor mechanics, overuse problems, or traumatic injuries are not corrected at an early stage, the tissues of the knee joint, expressly the cartilage, will begin to wear out over the course of time. Consequently the bones will rub on one another, and changes such as bone spurs can eventuate. This painful condition, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, often advances with age. Usual treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). However, there are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that are very effective such as rosemary, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, bioflavinoids, curcumin. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely valuable in reducing the pain. Your San Jose chiropractor is very knowledgeable about anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, individuals can usually aid themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.
A Nutritious Diet and Conservative Exercise Can Reduce Arthritis Suffering
San Diego Chiropractor: Chiropractic and Arthritis
Do you suffer from painful arthritis? Do you also have a problem with your weight? If you’ve answered in the affirmative to both questions, more than likely you’re having back pain not only due to arthritis, but also because of the strain your weight is putting on your spine. The body was not designed to carry around additional weight in the form of body fat. If you are carrying around even an additional 20 or 30 pounds day in and day out, your spine, which supports the body, is being put under a great deal of strain. This kind of strain can created aberrations of the vertebral column. These misaligned vertebra can generate arthritic changes in the spine and continue to irritate the degenerative changes that have begun. In addition, your body may compensate in other ways, for instance your hips moving forward or tilting to support the excess pounds. This can pinch the sciatic nerve, which is extremely painful.
A new survey by the NPD Group, a leading market research firm based in Rosemont, Ill., shows that approximately 62% of adults and 34% of children are overweight or obese. The ubiquitousness of arthritis escalates with increasing weight. Research indicates that sustaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of developing arthritis in the first place and may decelerate disease progression. A loss of just 11 pounds can lessen the occurrence (incidence) of new knee osteoarthritis and would do quite a lot to relieve back pain as well.
In order for an individual to overcome their back pain, knee pain, and pain in the joints in other regions of the body, a good diet and regular exercise is mandatory. Even though this information probably doesn’t seem like anything new, it genuinely is the only action for you to take in order to get out of pain and regain your life.
First of all, let’s discuss the topic of dieting. The majority diets (and there are hundreds from which to choose) can be temporarily useful. Sadly, the diet industry is not interested in having you lose weight permanently because as a result they would not have you as a customer. Eating a life-enriching diet (as a lifestyle choice and not a temporary fix) and cutting your calories so that you are at a slight calorie “deficit,” is the only approach to losing weight in a healthy, permanent manner. Shedding a lot of pounds too fast is not only unhealthy, but unsafe. You should be losing about 2 pounds every week in order for it to be truly effective.
Research has proved that exercise and physical activity not only reduces pain and augments function, but genuinely postpones disability. Be certain to get no less than 30 minutes of moderate physical activity no less than 3 days a week. You can get activity in 10-minute intervals.
In addition to the benefits your joints will undergo from exercise, chiropractic adjustments are a highly beneficial way to get motion back in the joints of your spine and other places in your body. A well-adjusted spine makes exercise and physical activity a lot easier and actually slows down arthritic degenerative changes. The Annals of Internal Medicine published the findings of a survey of 232 people who were under a rheumatologist’s care for their arthritis. Of those people, 63% answered the survey by saying they were taking advantage of some type of “complementary care” as named by the study. Of those individuals, 31% were using chiropractic. Possibly the most notable statistic was that 73% of those trying chiropractic found it beneficial. Explaining why they’d tried the non-medical chiropractic care, the responders provided a number of reasons: 1) to control pain, 2) they’d heard that it helps, 3) they felt assured that it is safe, 4) it had assisted someone they knew, and 5) because their prescription medication wasn’t stopping the pain.
Chiropractors, also called doctors of chiropractic, have been assisting people suffering from back pain due to arthritis as well as other arthritic problems for over a hundred years. Not only can arthritic pain and degenerative changes in the spine be caused by the misaligned vertebra that your San Diego chiropractor will adjust, if left unchanged misalignments can lower resistance and immunity, which can lead to new health conditions.
It is always wise to see a health care professional to get information about diet and exercise. Your chiropractor is an excellent resource for information on the kind of lifestyle changes that you will require to help you to manage your arthritis. Moreover, in addition to getting your spine in alignment through gentle adjustments, your chiropractor will evaluate any faulty gait patterns or posture irregularities that may be compounding your arthritic pain.
Can Chiropractic Treatment Help Arthritis?
Chicago Chiropractor and Arthritis
Introduction
One of the most commonly misunderstood conditions among sufferers is arthritis..Often the word, “arthritis,” brings to mind a future that includes crippled and twisted joints. But, many conditions from benign to severe are catalogued under the term, arthritis. For our purposes we will confine this discourse to the most common forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care
Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are the terms for the most common form of arthritis, which is also called, spondylosis, if it occurs in the spine. This form of arthritis is not limited to humans, but occurs in all mammals, and is due to the deterioration of the cartilage that protects the joint surfaces. Degenerative changes in the joint happens when joint cartilage is damaged and causes stress to the sensitive bone tissue that is normally preserved by the cartilage. Sometimes the bone around the joint will proliferate and make osteophytes, or what are familiarly called bone spurs. These spurs can cause painful irritation to other tissues around the joint, in this way complicating the already painful condition.
The most common areas of the body that develop degenerative joints are in the spine, principally in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, the hips and the fingers. Previous trauma, certain occupations and activities, weight, diet, and heredity all appear to influence both the onset and severity of DJD.
The symptoms of DJD invariably involve some degree of pain and/or stiffness in the body part involved. As the condition continues there can be loss of mobility, particularly when weight-bearing joints such as hips or knees are involved. In some cases, if the joint is measurably worn and the person can no longer walk without severe pain, the joints are surgically replaced with synthetic devices. Of course, one should attempt to manage the condition early on in ones life to avoid the need for surgery.
The best management of DJD is, naturally, prevention that involves taking care of ones joints at an early age.
- One should always make sure that, especially when young, all injuries to joints are correctly managed to insure proper healing to avoid future disability.
- People involved in occupations that demand standing or walking should wear appropriate shoes that give good support and shock absorption.
- Excess body weight can produce increased stress upon the weight bearing joints of the body.
- Avoid kneeling on hard surfaces, such as when doing housework, as this can put strain and create knee pain.
- The natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants contained in fruits and vegetables are vital for healthy joints and a healthy body.
Recent studies have shown that long-term use of the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can not only assist with DJD symptoms, but can possibly help to rebuild joint cartilage.
Chiropractic adjustments are not only safe, but an effectual treatment for arthritis, and can help to restore proper mobility and function to the spinal joints, thereby giving patients great relief. Your Chicago chiropractor has many of years of training in helping people with arthritis pain. Other forms of chiropractic care may include joint mobilization, massage, ultrasound, cold laser, or electro-therapy, all of which may be helpful in the relief of painful and stiff joints. Occasionally a brace is required to help stabilize the joint in order to alleviate pain. A chiropractor may suggest exercises such as stretching, yoga, tai chi and other gentle mobilizing activities to help maintain arthritic joints.
Gout
Gouty arthritis is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood and the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. The most common joints are the big toes, the knees, ankles and wrists, and is often characterized by acute pain and swelling. A large number of people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are usually brought on by binge eating of agitative foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Specific foods such as red meat (especially organ meat), certain seafood, legumes, and mushrooms contain the natural substance, Purines, that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. Since individuals with gout cannot properly metabolize uric acid, the increase in the bloodstream causes joint problems. In addition to the foods specified and additional foods containing Purines, other dietary restrictions must be followed including the avoidance of alcohol.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of systemic origin. The direct cause is not known, but it is thought to be connected to a problem with the immune system. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, while other areas of the body can be affected as well. Morning stiffness irritated by movement is generally associated with the disease. Further symptoms can consist of general malaise and fatigue, and in its more advanced stages other systems of the body may be affected. There are specific blood tests to help identify Rheumatoid arthritis that can be easily run. Management includes medication and vitamin and diet therapy, as well as chiropractic manipulations. In addition, joint mobilization and modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy and massage can help with the pain and stiffness associated the condition. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to supporting individuals in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.
Whiplash is a Pain in the Neck
If we wake up in the morning with a stiff and painful neck, the tendency is to blame the predicament on our pillow, bed, or sleep position during that night. We also try to figure out what is occurring when we move our neck suddenly and feel a sharp pain that feels as if something has suddenly slipped out of position or is pinching a “nerve.” It is helpful to understand that most neck problems are hardly ever caused by a single incident, but rather by the cumulative effects of unsuitable sitting posture, unhealthy work and living habits, lack of beneficial exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Naturally, some neck problems are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.
In order to understand neck pain, it is important to be aware of the anatomy of the spine. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the neck consist of posterior joints, called facets, that attach vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the motion of the spine. The inter-vertebral discs link the bodies of the vertebrae and are made of a form of dense cartilage that surrounds a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. The spinal cord is positioned between the facets of the vertebrae. Spinal nerves exit the spine between the vertebrae and supply energy to muscles and organs of the body. Additionally, they carry sensory impulses, including pain information, from the body to the brain. The nerves that exit from the neck are assigned to the entire upper extremity including the shoulder, elbow and hand, as well as structures of the head and neck. The neck has a natural forward curve when viewed from the side that helps correctly balance the weight of the head, as well as to decrease stress on the neck joints. For more information please feel free to visit your Colorado Springs Chiropractor.
Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use
Computer use has risen significantly over the years, at home and in the workplace. Nowadays, a substantial amount of people spend eight to ten hours a day, or more, bent over a keyboard and staring at a monitor. When we sit with our head in a forward bent position-the posture that most desk workers take on-the ligaments that hold the facets together and the muscles in the neck are put under enormous strain. Furthermore, the normal forward curve of the neck may become reversed and create more stress on the surrounding tissue of the neck. All of this can lead to spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the principal causes of spinal nerve pain. Conjointly with general pain, spinal nerve inflammation in the neck can produce symptoms such as headaches, eye problems, giddiness, arm and hand pain (and paraesthesia), as well as shoulder pain.
Headaches and Chiropractic Care
Headaches or migraines are usually associated with misalignments of the cervical spine. Symptoms, from a dull ache to throbbing pain, are created when the cervical vertebrae lose their natural position or motion and sensitive nerves and blood vessels, related to structures in the head are stretched or irritated. In many instances the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, called trigger points, can also refer pain to the head. Of course there are other factors associated with headaches including toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Still, the alignment of the neck and the agitation of surrounding tissues should be a main consideration when treating headaches and migraines. Chiropractic treatment and management have proved to be very effective in the treatment of headaches. Ask your Colorado Springs Chiropractor about the benefits of Chiropractic care.
Whiplash and Chiropractic Care
Many people are involved in car accidents. Rear-end collisions are the most common. During such a collision, the head of the passenger in the front car is forcibly wrenched back, and then forward, causing damage to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. Such a strong force can cause damage to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs, and spinal nerves. Whiplash injury includes neck pain and immobility, and other symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vertigo, arm and should pain, tingling in the hands and fingers, and weakness of the arms and hand. Immediate evaluation and x-rays are crucial in order to rule out a fracture. However in most cases, the injuries are mainly to the soft tissues and joints. Proper care is crucial in recovery from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Colorado Springs Chiropractor is extremely knowledgeable in the area of whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from start to finish.
Chiropractic Treatment Helps Low Back Pain
Can Chiropractic Help Back Pain?
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is a common health problem that at some point affects more than 80% of human beings, making it second in commonality only to the common cold. Although most people are aware that the common cold is due to a viral infection, back pain is often a mystery to its sufferers. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor is an expert at solving that mystery.
Anatomy
To understand back pain, it is important to understand the anatomy of the spine. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back consist of posterior joints called facets that join vertebrae to one another and serve to direct the movement of the spine. The inter-vertebral discs link the bodies of the vertebrae and are composed of a form of strong cartilage that covers a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also link the vertebrae. The wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine is the sacrum and is joined to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. The spinal cord is situated between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves exit the spine between the vertebrae.
Causes of Back Pain
The majority of back pain victims have not experienced any trauma, accidents or major injuries prior to the onset of their problem. The origin of most back pain is the cumulative effects of unhealthy sitting posture, poor work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of proper exercise and other negative lifestyle-related factors. All of these factors create stresses and imbalances on the spine and eventually cause pain. This is why people can often injure their back merely by bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The instability of the spine makes it vulnerable to even the most simple movements, such as bending. When this occurs, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.
Disc Problems & Sciatica
Prolonged sitting, specifically in a unsuitable position causes increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles around the spine. Eventually the lower spine loses its usual function and no longer is prepared for the normal day-to-day stresses in ones life. In the end, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, allowing the soft nucleus to distend the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it causes the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, an individual can develop sciatica, which is defined as pain, tingling, numbness, and occasionally weakness in the lower extremities. Regrettably, if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition isn’t managed properly, surgery may benecessary to remove the herniated disc material. With chiropractic adjustments and care, which often includes postural exercises, most disc complications, including sciatica, can be mended. If you are experiencing any of the problems defined above, it is essential for you to seek chiropractic attention.
Spondylosis
Repetitive damage to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments may produce increased erosion and weight-bearing stress on the spine. Bone spurs are produced when the cartilage around the joints is adversely affected by stress that engenders calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae. These spurs can restrict adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This compression causes a form of arthritis, called Spondylosis, that can also occur as part of the aging process of the spine. Nevertheless, influences such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic treatment and overall chiropractic management is extremely beneficial in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as helping Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor has assisted many Spondylosis sufferers.
Sacroiliac Problems
The sacroiliac joints are a general area of dysfunction or injury in the low back. These weight-bearing joints connect the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are normally very strong and stable. Disturbances from falls, sports injuries, or the lifting of heavy objects can cause the joints to become unstable and move to an abnormal position. This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Pregnancy can also cause this condition. Sacroiliac subluxation produces imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. Those with this condition will feel pain especially with prolonged standing and walking, or during or after physical activity. Many complain of lack of energy and feeling tired easily. Other symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches, can develop further up the spine. Chiropractic adjustments establish the proper alignment of the joints and are extremely affective in correcting sacroiliac problems. Ask your Fort Worth chiropractor how you can get effective pain relief.
Spinal Subluxation
Subluxated or misaligned facets joints are a prevalent disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine. Subluxations can exist on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. Subluxations are not only painful, but they can restrict the nerves as they exit the foramen (or spaces) between the vertebrae, creating paraesthesia. Paraesthesia is a change of sensation described as a tingling, burning or “funny feeling.” Paraesthesia in the upper extremities more often than notoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is very often associated with nerve problemsin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also belinked to, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best corrected by chiropractic adjustments.
Trauma
Trauma such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can cause harm to the spine and lower back. Many times these traumas create over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine. When this happens a person can encounter considerable pain and immobility. In order to escape long term disability or the development of any of the conditions listed above, chiropractic adjustments and treatment at the onset of symptoms is crucial. If you experience a trauma, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is often associated with low back pain. Chiropractic care offers exceptional pain relief.
When it comes to the spine, chiropractors have more education and training than medical doctors. I can provides state of the art diagnosis and skilled treatment for any of the above-mentioned problems of the spine and lower back.
Does Chiropractic Assist in Relieving Carpal Tunnel Pain?
Introduction
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most well-known nerve entrapment disorder. As the term “nerve entrapment” implies, these disorders present when a nerve is trapped or compressed between body tissues creating inflammation and impairment of the nerve.
Anatomy
The carpal tunnel is situated in the underside of the wrist and is a passageway in which the median nerve travels through on its way to innervate the hand and fingers. Along with the median nerve, the carpal tunnel includes the nine tendons of the forearm muscles that are responsible for bending and flexing of the fingers and thumb. Also within the tunnel are arteries and lymphatic vessels that provide circulation to the hand. Wrist bones form the bottom and sides of the tunnel, while the top is shaped by the transverse carpal ligament, a strong band of connective tissue. The carpal tunnel is an intensely-packed space about the size of an index finger. The flexor tendons, arteries and median nerve are designed to glide smoothly past each other during wrist and finger movement.
If the size of the tendon enlarges due to irritation or overuse, or if the carpal tunnel size shrinks due to a mechanical dysfunction of the carpal bones, the median nerve can become squeezed or entrapped by the carpal tunnel. At first, carpal tunnel symptoms often include, pain, numbness, pins and needles, and tinging in the fingers and hand, particularly the thumb and adjacent two fingers. These symptoms are especially noticeable in the night and often wake people from their sleep as the individual has to sit up in bed and shake-out and/or rub the hands in order decrease these unpleasant feelings. The hands can also feel awkward, weak and fatigue easily with activity. Over time, the ability to grip small objects using the thumb and fingers can be affected dangerously and if left untreated, can lead to total dysfunction of the hand.
Some common causes and associated conditions are:
- repetitive and forceful grasping with the hands
- prolonged computer usage especially with poor wrist position
- activities that require repetitive bending of the wrist
- broken or dislocated bones in the wrist which produce swelling
- arthritis, especially the rheumatoid type
- thyroid gland imbalance
- sugar diabetes
- hormonal changes associated with menopause or pregnancy
Although any of the above can can be a contributing factor to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, in many cases the cause is unknown. However, people who perform jobs that require use of vibration tools and machinery, and/or work in extreme temperatures are often subjected to this condition. In addition, repetitive housework as seemingly inconsequential as wringing clothes by hand, can bring on carpal tunnel symptoms. However, the continuing increase in computer use is the most compelling explanation for the number of individuals who are suffering with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome today. This is becoming a major concern in the developed world where people of all ages are spending much of their time typing on a keyboard & clicking on a mouse.
Treatment
Competent diagnosis and treatment is vital to relieving the painful and debilitating symptoms of CTS. Your Ventura Chiropractor is highly skilled in the diagnosis and managment of CTS. Chiropractors are equipped to deal with this problem and can offer many sufferers with relief. Treatment by chiropractor can include ultrasound or low level laser to help reduce inflammation, electro therapy to strengthen weak muscles of the forearm, soft tissue massage to stretch contracted tissues and, of course, adjustments of the dysfunctional joints of the wrist. You might be advised to wear a splint or support, particularly at night, to aid in the decompression of the carpal tunnel. Your Ventura Chiropractor will also give you specific exercises to stretch and/or strengthen muscles of the forearm and hand.
Chiropractic Treatment Takes Away Shoulder Pain!
Tampa Chiropractor: Most Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
The complexity of the shoulder joint allows it to accomplish many different movements and activities. The shoulder bones, i.e., the scapula, clavicle and humerus, are held together by ligaments and nearly 20 different muscles. The primary articulation, the glenohumeral joint, is attached by ligaments and a group of muscles (and their tendon attachments) known as the rotator cuff. Problems with the rotator cuff are everyday causes of shoulder pain and disability. Sports injuries, mechanical dysfunctions from muscle imbalances, or wear and tear of the tissues encompassing the joint are often the causes of shoulder problems. Arthritic changes do happen in the shoulder joint, however not as commonly as in the weight-bearing joints of the spine, hips and knees.
Anatomy
Problems in the shoulder often arise in the cervical spine as the nerves from this region innervate all of the muscles and other tissues of the shoulder, elbow, arm and hand. If these nerves are inflamed, the shoulder muscles can become tight or weak causing dysfunction in the ordinary mechanics of the joint, particularly in the rotator cuff. A similar situation can occur if one overworks the shoulder causing sports injuries, or in other repetitive activities that cause the muscles of the joint to become overly tight or strained. Those who sit too much in a slouched position, or with their shoulders held forward, are also at risk for developing these imbalances and shoulder problems.
Rotator Cuff Syndrome
Pain and restricted motion will continue to occur until the imbalances and aggravation are rectified. The severity can vary from a slight “catching” or pain to an almost complete inability to use the shoulder. patients of all ages are afflicted by this painful predicament known as Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Syndrome.
Frozen Shoulder
Another common predicament is ” frozen shoulder. “Extreme inflamation of the ligaments and tendons of the glenohumeral joint can cause adhesions to oocur nearly sticking the joint together, thus producing crippling of the shoulder. This results in intense pain, as well as limitation of shoulder motion that makes even dressing oneself difficult! Attention from a professional, such as your Tampa chiropractor is crucial because if left unattended, frozen shoulder could take several years to clear up if it heals at all. There are many other afflictions of the shoulder however those mentioned above are easily the most common.
Treatment
Most shoulder treatments are basically the same. Muscle imbalances can be fixed with chiropractic treatment that includes soft tissue mobilization modalities to restore proper mobility to the shoulder joints and to correct any subluxations in the spine. Special rehabilitation exercises recommended by your Tampa chiropractor are also essential for a thoroughand fast recovery.