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 cause compression on the nerves around the spine and cause
pain.
In many cases, you can experience relief from these conditions through
chiropractic. Restoring proper movement and function to the vertebral joints and vertebral discs can reduce compression 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 trauma to facet joints, herniated, bulging
or ruptured discs, or nerve damage due to the over extension from the
violent movement.
Chiropractic can help with both types of
injuries. Spinal manipulations can be performed specifically for
those who have been in car accidents and suffered from whiplash. The compression on the discs and nerves is released when the normal spinal motion is returned. Soft tissue techniques such as 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. Joint manipulation can decrease pain by releasing joint restriction, increase joint motion and reducing joint dysfunction.
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
manipulations 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 can be caused by dysfunctions of your spinal joints and/or muscular system. Left untreated, these dysfunctional joints can cause muscle spasms and increasing pain. Chiropractic manipulations help restore normal joint and muscular function. 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 dysfunction in the vertebrae joints 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 manipulation can restore the normal motion of 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 joint dysfunction, and muscle spasms can all cause compression on the sciatic nerve. When this happens it can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the lower back and leg. To properly
treat sciatica the cause of the condition must be properly diagnosed and treated. Your chiropractor can help you do this.
Pinched Nerve
When a nerve
is squeezed or compressed between two structures it is called a "pinched nerve". This can be
caused by compression between layers of muscles, tendons, bulging or herniated discs, or other
factors. The increased compression on the nerve causes inflammation, pain into the arms or legs (radicular pain),
and sometimes muscle spasms. The compression of the nerve must be relieved
in order to alleviate the pain. A thorough clinical exam can lead to a proper diagnosis of the cause of
the pain. A treatment plan focused on restoration of function can then be recommended.
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.
(1)Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15965403?dopt=A...