Disc Problems
Intervertebral
discs are positioned between the vertebrae in the spine. The outside of
a disc is made from cartilage, and in the center is a jelly like
solution. These discs serve many purposes, including allowing movement
of the spine, creating space between the vertebrae, and acting as shock
absorbers. The gelatinous middle allows the disc to compress and expand
based on impact and movement. Trauma to the spine can cause the discs to
herniated, bulge, become displaced (slipped disc), or even rupture.
Trauma or direct injury to the area is not the only cause, however. As
we get older, the discs can begin to weaken and dehydrate. These
conditions can put pressure on the nerves around the spine and cause
pain.
If you suffer from one of these injuries you should see a
chiropractor. Surgery is risky, expensive, and requires recovery time.
In many cases, you can experience relief from these conditions through
chiropractic. By properly aligning the spine, pressure can be relieved
on nerves and on the discs themselves. This will reduce and hopefully
eliminate your pain and discomfort and allow you to live a normal
lifestyle.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common
injury for people involved in car collisions. When a car is struck from
behind or collides with another object, it causes the neck to snap back
and forth violently. This causes the muscles and ligaments to
overextend, leading to strains and/or tears. This is referred to as soft
tissue damage, and can cause stiffness and soreness. Whiplash can also
cause structural damage such as misaligned vertebrae, herniated, bulging
or ruptured discs, or nerve damage due to the overextension from the
violent movement.
Chiropractic can help with both types of
injuries. Adjustments and alignments can be performed specifically for
those who have been in car accidents and suffered from whiplash. The
pressure on the discs and nerves is released when the spine is returned
to its proper alignment. Chiropractic massage can be used to help
relieve the pain and discomfort from soft tissue injuries. If you have
been in a car accident, schedule an appointment with us before relying
on pain medications and surgery.
Osteoarthritis
Arthritis is a condition that
is caused by the wearing down of the cartilage between joints. Some of
the major joints that are affected are the knees, hips, back, neck, and
hands/wrist. Arthritis can be painful and can cause the affected areas
to not function properly. Arthritis in one area can cause arthritis or
other problems in a different joint. For instance, if you have arthritis
in your left knee, you may compensate for this by putting more pressure
on your right side, leading to right hip problems.
Pain killers
can cause temporary relief from pain and discomfort, but it is not a
long term solution. Chiropractic can alleviate pain by releasing
pressure on the nervous system with proper alignment. It can also
restore proper joint movement, helping to ensure that you use proper
motion so that you do not cause injury to other parts of your body. We
are not concerned strictly with the affected area, but rather the body
as a whole. We aim to restore and maintain proper movement and
functionality to increase your overall well being.
Joint Dysfunction
Joint
dysfunction occurs when joints become stiff and full movement is
restricted. It can be caused by an injury, poor posture,
overuse/underuse of a joint, muscle imbalance, as well as other factors.
Like arthritis, joint dysfunction can cause pain in the joint and the
surrounding muscles, and can also cause problems in other parts of the
body due to overcompensation.
One common form of joint
dysfunction is sacroiliac joint dysfunction, which occurs where the base
of the spine meets the pelvis. It causes low back pain and prohibits
movement. This condition is often misdiagnosed because the symptoms are
similar to sciatica or a herniated disc.
Your chiropractor can
properly diagnose this condition and provide relief. Using specific
adjustments for the affected joint can return proper mobility and
relieve pain. If you have joint pain, visit us for relief.
Neck/Back Pain
Pain
along the spinal column in your neck or back is usually caused by
restrictions, or poor movement of your vertebrae. A small restriction can cause pain by causing pressure on nerves. Left untreated, these
injuries can cause muscle spasms and increasing pain. Chiropractic
adjustments properly restore motion to your spine so that pressure on joints and
nerves is released. It is a direct treatment for the cause of the pain,
not a temporary relief like pain relievers or massage. If you are
experiencing back or neck pain visit us today.
Headaches
Many
people believe that headaches are caused by loud noise, being tired, or
being stressed. While these are all factors that can lead to headaches,
the direct cause is tightness in the neck and shoulders. The tightness
can cause poor motion in the vertebrae of your neck, resulting in
pain. 80% of all headaches originate from the neck. With a typical
cervicogenic (neck origin) headache, a person usually feels pain
starting at the base of the skull which radiates into the temples,
eyeballs, and forehead. Massage of the neck and shoulder muscles can
release tension, and a chiropractic adjustment can realign the vertebrae
in your neck. Chiropractic can help eliminate the cause of your
headaches rather than offering a temporary relief from the symptoms.
Sciatica
Sciatica
is a condition that results when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated.
Bulging discs, spinal restrictions, and muscle spasms can all cause
increased pressure on the sciatic nerve. When this happens it causes
pain, numbness, and weakness in the lower back and leg. To properly
treat sciatica the cause of the condition needs to be diagnosed and
properly treated. Your chiropractor can help you do this.
Pinched Nerve
When a nerve
is squeezed or compressed it is called a "pinched nerve". This can be
caused by spinal restrictions, bulging or herniated discs, or other
factors. The increased pressure on the nerve causes inflammation, pain,
and sometimes muscle spasms. The pressure on the nerve must be relieved
in order to alleviate the pain. An examination can reveal the cause of
the pain, and an adjustment can relieve the pain by properly aligning
the spine and addressing the cause of the pain.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This
condition is most commonly associated with people who are constantly
using a computer. Typing is a motion that, when performed repetitively
and with poor posture, can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms
include pain, numbness, weakness, or a burning sensation. The nerves in
the fingertips travel through the wrist, up the arm, and into the neck.
The spine is the center of the nervous system, and the pain in your
hands and wrists can be relieved by your chiropractor with concentrated
spinal and joint adjustments.
Maintenance Care
We
have discussed many conditions that can be relieved through
chiropractic. The best way to treat these conditions is to prevent them
before they even start. Regular chiropractic visits can help to prevent
physical problems and injuries from occurring. Other potential benefits
of regular chiropractic visits are increased flexibility and mobility,
higher level of energy, improved posture, more effective immune system,
better circulation, and an overall better feeling of well-being.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia
is a condition that we still do not know much about. There is no
specific known cause, and it could be brought on by many different
factors. The main symptom of fibromyalgia is chronic pain throughout the
body, mainly located in joints. The pain may be achy, sharp, radiating,
burning, or shooting and it may be mild or severe. Fibromyalgia has
also been known to bring on other conditions like trouble sleeping,
headaches, depression, and anxiety.
While there is no known cure
for fibromyalgia, chiropractic treatment can help to uncover what may
be causing the pain and also provide relief for the pain. The cause of
fibromyalgia could be physical, mental, or emotional, so a full
examination will be performed. Adjustments and chiropractic massage can
be used to relieve pain from the affected areas. The added effects of
chiropractic treatment such as increased energy levels, better
circulation, and a stronger immune system can also help to fight the
effects of fibromyalgia. If you are experiencing symptoms of
fibromyalgia give us a call to schedule a consultation so we can
establish a plan to start you on your road to recovery.
(1)Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15965403?dopt=A...