While the conservative treatment methods used in our offices can help with a number of problems, we have listed some of the more common conditions that you may recognize in yourself or others. Please note that while back pain is the most common symptom treated by most chiropractors, it is certainly not the only condition that responds favorably to an integrated hands-on approach. If you are experiencing any of these problems, please contact us for more information or an appointment today.
Disc problems
The disc is a small cartilage pad that is situated between spinal bones (vertebrae). The soft jellylike center is contained by layers of fibrous tissues, somewhat like a flattened onion. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. When healthy, discs allow normal bending and turning, and help to allow nerves to pass freely from the spinal cord through the spinal column and out to the body.
Since spinal discs have a very poor blood supply, they depend upon the circulation of joint fluids to bring nutrients and expel waste. If a spinal joint becomes misaligned, it loses its normal motion and this pumping action is impaired. Thereby, the health of the disc deteriorates. Like a wet sponge, a healthy disc is flexible. A dry sponge is hard, stiff, and can crack easily. This is how many disc problems begin.
Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebra above and below it, a disc cannot "slip" as commonly thought. However, trauma, uneven weight-bearing, or injury to the spine can cause discs to bulge, herniate, or worse--rupture/prolapse. This can be quite painful, placing pressure on the spinal cord and/or the nerve roots, interfering with their function.
While results cannot be guaranteed, many disc patients have avoided surgery or a dependency on medications by undergoing manipulative therapy and rehabilitative training. Thankfully, the majority of patients with disc-related conditions are not automatically surgical candidates.
Whiplash
Whiplash is most commonly received from riding in a car that is struck from behind or that collides with another object. When the head is suddenly jerked back and forth beyond its normal limits, the muscles and ligaments that support the spine and head can be overstretched or torn. Vertebrae can be forced out of their normal position, reducing range of motion. The spinal cord and nerve roots in the neck can get stretched and irritated. While a vehicle may be only slightly damaged, occupants can suffer considerable soft tissue injury.
The resulting instability of the spine and soft tissues can cause headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, pain in the shoulder, arms and hands, reduced ability to turn and bend, and even low back problems. As the body attempts to adapt, symptoms may not appear for days or weeks after the initial impact.
Our approach to these types of injuries is to use specific spinal and soft-tissue manipulation to help restore function to the spine and its supporting soft tissues. After a thorough examination and case history, the doctor will recommend a series of visits to help restore proper motion and position of the spinal bones. If caught early enough, inflammation can be reduced and scar tissue can often be minimized.
Care is taken to instruct whiplash patients in proper self-care, and to rehabilitate the injured spinal column and supporting tissues to minimize the possibility for chronic problems. The sooner patients who are injured in auto accidents present for care, the better their chances are for avoiding chronic pain, disability, impairment, and dysfunction.
Osteoarthritis
Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis is a condition characterized by the gradual breakdown of joint cartilage, most common in the weight bearing joints of the body such as the knees, hips, and back.
Osteoarthritis is commonly known as a "wear and tear" condition of the joint tissues. As the joint is broken down it can lead to joint stiffness and increased strain on the muscles in that area. Additionally, as joint function changes, it can lead to movement compensations and place strain on other areas of the body as well. Although degenerative changes are common with age, they do not necessarily or automatically result in pain. Research now shows that it is not the degeneration of the joint that is responsible for pain but the effects the degeneration has on how the joint is functioning, particularly the stiffness and muscles strain and compensation.
We focus on restoration and maintenance of function by emphasizing joint movement and increasing the ability of the muscles to support and stabilize the affected joints. Restoring motion to degenerative joints increases their capacity to nourish themselves and sustain pliabiltiy and lubrication of the joint surfaces. In addition, we assess how the body as a whole if functioning to uncover any other movement abnormalities that may be affecting the degenerated area.
Joint Dysfunction
Joints of the body need to move. When this movement becomes restricted and normal motion is altered several problems arise. Most commonly joint dysfunction results in pain, stiffness, muscle tightness, cartilage breakdown/degeneration, and ultimately movement compensation leading to undue stress on other areas of the body. Joint dysfunctions are common in the spine and the extremities and can commonly occur with injury, poor posture, muscles tightness, scar tissue, overuse, over-exertion, or muscle imbalance.
The doctor will assess movement of the joints to feel for areas of altered or restricted movements. Once identified, the abnormal movement can be restored using a combination of joint and soft tissue manipulation techniques. Whenever possible simple home exercises are demonstrated to facilitate and maintain proper motion in key areas. Underlying factors such as poor posture and muscle imbalance often need to be addressed in cases of chronic or recurrent joint dysfunction.
Neck/Low Back Pain
Mechanical misalignments of the spinal column are one of the most common causes of neck and low back pain. When vertebrae are misaligned, they can irritate spinal nerves, causing pain, tingling, numbness or burning. Muscle tension may increase, which can further increase pressure in the joint and around the nervous tissue. This extra pressure can cause even more inflammation and irritation, which leads to local swelling and congestion, and therefore more pain. And the cycle continues.
Often times, taking medications, resting, stretching and massage may only temporarily relieve the pain, because the cause (misalignment/joint dysfunction) has not been addressed. Spinal manipluation focuses directly on the cause of the pain for a more permanent solution.
Headaches
80% of headaches are scientifically found to originate from the neck. Usually an increased amount of stress and tension held in the shoulders causes contractions of all of the surrounding neck muscles. When these muscles contract, vertebrae can become misaligned causing pressure on spinal nerves, and ultimately pain. With a typical cervicogenic (neck origin) headache, a person usually feels pain starting at the base of the skull which radiates into the temples, eyes and forehead.
Loss of normal neck curvature (which can come from injury, poor posture, sleeping positions, or repeated movements) causes muscular tension at the base of the skull, potentially irritating sensory nerves that exit between the head and the neck. This irritation can cause pain directly into the head, scalp, and face. Correcting the structural problems using manipulation, muscle work, exercise, and postural molding can correct the cause of headaches.
There are a number of other potential causes of headaches, so a proper examination is needed to determine the actual origin.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is a long nerve originating in the lower back and extending down the back of the leg. When this nerve is irritated, it can cause pain, numbness, weakness, or other symptoms in the lower back and down the leg. There are several possible causes of this condition. A misaligned vertebra can cause inflammation of the joints, putting pressure on the nerve. Bulging discs and muscle rigidity can also cause pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Treatment would be aimed at removing the pressure to the sciatic nerve. This may be accomplished by spinal manipulation, supportive therapies (such as ultrasound or electric stimulation), stretching, and corrective exercises.
"Pinched Nerve"
A pinched nerve is a term often used for nerve tissue that has simply been irritated by pressure from surrounding structures. True "pinching" of a nerve by a vertebra or other structure rarely occurs and would typically cause damage to the nerve tissue.
Focused pressure on spinal nerves can often cause pain (or other sensation) that follows a specific course, such as down an arm or down a leg.
Often, misalignment or poorly-moving vertebrae can cause irritation or pressure to nerve roots. Restoring movement and proper function to affected joints decreases their ability to irritate nervous tissue and to stress and inflame the supporting tissues, which could also cause nervous pressure.
Nerve pressure can come from other origins as well. A proper examination is needed to determine the exact cause.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
These days millions of Americans have jobs which can have damaging effects on the hands and arms. Repetitive movements which are not performed with good ergonomics in mind can cause micro-trauma to the hands and wrists. This trauma combined with joint dysfunction and spinal problems may result in a condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. The median nerve which is affected travels from the tips of the fingers through the wrist up the arm and into the neck connecting to the spinal cord. If one or more of these structures are affected, symptoms of wrist pain, numbness, weakness, burning and loss of muscle function can occur.
A proper evaluation helps to discern carpal tunnel syndrome from a number of conditions that can cause symptoms in the wrist, hand, and forearm. Often, realignment of the small bones of the wrist and work to balance the muscles of the forearm will help to clear the carpal tunnel and allow clear transmission of the median nerve.
Other similar problems can originate in the neck, as the nervous supply for the shoulder, arm, and hand all exit between vertebrae of the neck.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a controversial and complicated condition to manage. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is often offered as a "catch all" for any number of chronic and acute pain syndromes that are not readily explainable by those who are not familiar with the range of muscle, bone, and joint pain causes.
For proper diagnosis and treatment, a wide variety of factors need to be considered including "head-to-toe" joint and muscle function, nutrition, and lifestyle issues. A thorough examination including orthopedic and neurologic testing, as well as other specialized tests, will help to determine the exact cause of symptoms and will help form an individualized treatment plan. Very often, a comprehensive treatment program addressing all of these issues leads to significant improvement.
Joint and soft tissue manipulation is often very helpful in relieving the aches and pains of fibromyalgia and related conditions. Other treatment options may include ultrasound or electrical muscle stimulation, acupuncture, therapeutic exercises, and massage therapy & myofascial release techniques. These procedures, combined with nutritional & herbal medicine, and strict dietary guidelines constitute a comprehensive, holistic approach. Although researchers are still a long way from finding a "cure" for fibromyalgia, conservative "hands-on" care is usually very successful in the effective management of this condition.
Maintenance/"Wellness" Care
What many people don't know is that you don't have to be injured to benefit from chiropractic care. By maintaining alignment and balance with periodic checkups and necessary preventive care, patients find they favor staying better as opposed to repeatedly having to get better.
Athletes increasingly rely on chiropractic evaluation and management to stay fit and enhance performance through consistent muscle balance and joint mobility.
Patients who choose regular maintenance care often report improved posture, decreased stiffness, increased mobility, energy, strength, circulation, and immune function just to name a few positive effects.
