Chiropractic Works

Archive for April, 2009

When you are in pain, finding relief is the most pressing thought in your mind. Masking the pain with painkillers or dangerous surgery often leads to unfavorable results, and risks your future chances for living a pain-free life. That’s why finding a caring, professional chiropractor should be your first choice.

A qualified chiropractor can quickly provide you with a diagnosis and treatment plan, or can point you in the direction of a medical professional who can help you.
During your initial consultation, the professional chiropractor will gather your health history. After an initial exam he or she will be able to tell you what chiropractic services can do for you.

As an example, one patient began to have pain in his shoulder related to an old football injury for which he had previously had surgery. He decided to try a chiropractor before taking any radical measures. “My doctor wanted me to have additional surgery to correct the problem. Luckily, I went to a chiropractor first. My once a month visits eliminate my pain almost completely. I am even able to enjoy playing golf with no soreness.”

Why Your Family Doctor Can’t Relieve Your Back Pain

Family physicians are trained to know a little about a lot of things. Your body is an amazing biomechanical machine. Chiropractors specialize in relieving back pain by working with the mechanics of the human machine. Medical doctors are trained to work with the biology. They are adept at prescribing drugs that alter or react with human biology. Unfortunately, these chemical painkillers often come with a price: potential addiction, immune suppression, lethargy, and constipation, to name a few. Not only that, the body continues to be damaged by misalignment of the spine.
Doesn’t it make good common sense to seek out a back pain specialist when you have back pain? Wouldn’t you prefer to try a natural remedy before turning to drugs or putting your body through the trauma of surgery?

Don’t worry, your chiropractor will know if he or she can’t treat you and will refer you to an appropriate specialist.

The Benefits of Regular Chiropractic Care

Short-term and regular chiropractic care has a number of benefits including spinal and extremity pain relief. With monthly visits you can increase mobility, experience better range of motion, decrease stiffness in your back and eliminate muscular spasms. Another patient found no solution for her migraine headaches outside of her Chiropractor’s care.

Other popular uses for Chiropractor care are arthritic joint pain relief, increased joint health, increased performance and energy, increased sense of wellbeing and relaxation, increased balance and coordination, reduced degeneration and risk of injury, enhanced tissue healing and decreased tissue inflammation.

Chiropractic dwells in the concept of subluxations or misalignment of the spine and Chiropractor are best known for their expertise in adjustment or manipulating the spine by just using their two hands matched by appropriate technique and applied force.

If a patient consults in a Chiropractic clinic, the Chiropractor just like a medical doctor will obtain his/her medical history. The Chiropractor will then perform a physical examination that will specifically give more attention on the patient’s spine. He may also request or conduct an x-ray or ultrasound examination depending on the health condition of the patient. Modern Chiropractors are also using Surface Electromyography Scan that are said to be capable of detecting skeletal or muscular misalignment that hinder the proper function of the nervous system.

After the necessary check-up and verification of the disorder of the patient, the Chiropractor will then design a Chiropractic treatment procedure based on the patient’s health condition. Chiropractic treatments usually involve spine adjustments which are done by applying a controlled but sudden force. These adjustments are performed by using the Chiropractor’s hands. A Chiropractor may likewise use massage and mobilization.

These adjustments are carried out to bring back the misaligned spine or joints that said to cause the patient’s disorder or persistent muscle ache, backache or neck pain. The manipulation or adjustment is also intended to open up the circulation in our body to promote healing. The treatment procedure and its execution may also depend on the approach or style of Chiropractor. Other Chiropractors may also use non-manual procedures like rehabilitative exercise, electrical stimulation, homeopathy, magnetic therapy, heat or ice to treat the patient.

The Chiropractic treatment really depends on the condition of the patient. The duration and range of adjustment is proportional on the extent of misaligned structure in the entire nervous system. Patients who just visited Chiropractic clinic because of their minor muscle pain, neck pain or back ache due to heavy lifting or sudden lifting may only need one to two Chiropractic adjustments.

However, there are instances where a regular Chiropractic care is needed which can mean daily or weekly Chiropractic treatment. Such instances that may involve more than twice of Chiropractic treatment are those patient who suffered from spinal injuries, sport related injuries, arthritis and many other serious and recurrent pain that are due from accidents or muscular and skeletal disorders.

Chiropractic nowadays is also being applied to complement other medical treatment like physical therapy. There are now several practitioners that make use of Chiropractic and other form of alternative medical system like acupressure and the use of herbs to come out with better and more effective treatment plan.

But the beauty of Chiropractic as an alternative medical system is that all its procedure is non-invasive and it does not involve the use of any drugs or medicine to alleviate the pain. It is just adhering on the concept of subluxations and the natural capability of the human body to heal if the skeletal and muscular structure of our body is realigned and placed on its appropriate location.

Earache is the most prevalent purpose 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 episodes. What you might not expect, however, is that earache is also the most general occurrence for children under the age of five years to be taken to the chiropractor’s office.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Earache and Ear Infections

A pediatrician who determines that a child with an earache has a middle ear infection will generally prescribe antibiotics as a standard course of treatment. New study, however, has determined that such practices are often misguided. The reason for the child’s middle ear infection may not be due to bacteria, and because antibiotics are only effective against bacterial pathogens, frequently there will be no positive result. The reason for this is that numerous cases of middle ear infection can be produced by a virus, and viruses do not respond to antibiotics. This may account for why children develop chronic ear infections.

One of a number of assessments that a chiropractor can make is whether the earache or ear infection is produced by inflamation of the small nerves in the spine, called free nerve endings.

An abnormal tension in the small muscles of the neck is created when these nerve endings are irritated. This muscle tension can place pressure on the lymphatic drainage ducts resulting in inadequate drainage from inside the ear, thus keeping the body from its ability to naturally correct the problem. In addition, balance can also be affected.

Inadequate drainage of lymphatic ducts can be diagnosed by a chiropractor if there is more tension in the neck and paraspinal muscles on the side with the earache. In addition, the chiropractor will palpate to see which spinal vertebrae are either marginally out of alignment or not moving within their normal range. There are a variety of reasons for such aproblem as the consequence of the many bangs, jolts, and falls the majority of children experience growing up. Restoration of normal lymph drainage is most often accomplished with a short series of treatments that include spinal adjustments and manipulation of the neck muscles. If your child is experiencing the pain of an earache or an ear infection, call your 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 extraneously prescribed for the problem.Not too long ago, 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) endorses the AAP on the guidelines and emphasizes that chiropractic management 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.”

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Regulating and preserving body position while remaining still orin motion is the principal function of good balance. Good balance helps an individual to walk without faltering, arise from a sitting position without falling, and to climb stairs without stumbling.

Balance problems are often disclosed by 9 percent of adults, aged 65 and older. Good balance is vital in assisting an older person to stay independent, and perform daily chores and activities. Dizziness, “wooziness,” and challenges with balance are suffered by a large majority individuals as they age.

The label, vertigo, relates to the experience that some people have that they, themselves, or the things around them are spinning. About 40 percent of people nationwide will have an incidence of dizziness that is consequential enough to go seek out a health professional. And, among older adults, falls are the most widespread cause of extreme injury and deaths.

Balance and Inner Ear Challenges

There are many types of balance disorders. Three customary types are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most widespread. Its symptoms include a brief, intense sensation of vertigo with a change in head position, when rolling over to the left or right in bed or when getting out of bed, or when looking up for something on a high shelf. This condition is more likely to occur in individuals 60 and older, but it can also occur in younger adults.

The basis for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are diverse. Inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging can produce the condition. Many times times a simple Epleys procedure can fix the problem, though it can be connected with other disease processes. Your chiropractor has many years of experience in this procedure.

Labyrinthitis is an infection or iirritation of the inner ear that creates dizziness and loss of balance. It affects adults of any age and the cause is uncertain.

Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder that creates vertigo, hearing loss irregular, tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ears), and a “full feeling” in the ear.

Even though people who are older are more likely to experience balance disorders, age is not the only reason these problems occur. Depending on the cause of the balance disorder, care will vary. Many times, there’s a simple solution to balance disorders, such as simple exercises for vestibular rehab. A chiropractor is well-educated in diagnosing and treating most of balance problems. Consult a health care professional, such as your chiropractor, if you have encountered, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other challenges with balance.

While some balance disorders are caused by challenges in the inner ear, other disorders may be associated with another region of the body, such as the brain or the heart. Other components, besides aging and ear infection, may include head injury, certain medicines, problems with blood circulation, upper respiratory infections, viral infections, stress, fatigue, smoking, alcohol use, stroke, high or low blood pressure, and heart disease.

Balance disorders created by high blood pressure can usually be managed by less sodium intake,cultivating a healthy weight, and exercise. To assist in making the symptoms of dizziness less intense, frequently eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, will help.

Balance disorders are dangerous. It is the number one cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is extremely important to have a suspected balance disorder analysed and treated as soon as possible.

If you can answer “yes” to any of the questions listed below, you should discuss the symptom(s) with your chiropractor:

• Do you have the feeling of being “unsteady?”

• Does the room seem to spin around you?

• Is there ever a time when you feel as if you are moving when you know you are standing still?

• Do you lose your balance and/or fall?

• Do you feel as if you are falling?

• Does your vision ever become “blurred?”

• Do you ever feel disoriented, or lose a sense of time, place or identify?

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call your chiropractor today.

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Today’s parents are more disturbed than ever about the negative effects drugs have on their children. Parents are frequently asking, when given a prescription for a child’s periodic problem, “Is this really all I can do for my child? Isn’t there a safer alternative?”

Many children’s prescription and non-prescription drugs often not only mask a child’s symptoms, but can cause negative side effects. Today, moms and dads are finding health care opportunities for their children that encourage and sustain their child’s inherent ability to be healthy.

Chiropractic care is that option because it assists a child’s nervous system in functioning optimally. When the nervous system is fully functioning, the immune system, which is controlled by the nervous system, is able to do what it’s meant to do, which is keep your child healthy.  As the adage goes, “the best offense is a good defense.” Everyday, children are exposed to a huge variety of airborn, food-born, and contact bacteria. So many bacteria, in fact, that it would be unfeasible to immunize them against them all. Your 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.

The goal of a chiropractor is to help keep your child healthy and strong so that the ailments that appear to be an inevitable part of childhood, either will not affect your child as fiercely or won’t affect them at all. Chiropractic adjustments aids in removing interferences to the inherent healing power that runs through your child’s body. When that power is unleashed, the healing results that take place many times appear to be profound.

Furthermore, a child is lesslikely to be injured at play or in sports when his or her spine is in alignment. In addition, children who receive regular chiropactic care don’t seem to experience as many “growing pains” as other children.

Each day at your chiropractor we are happy to see that more and more parents are bringing their children to our clinic to give attention to the questions and concerns they have about their children’s health. All children are have the right to manifest their entire potentiality. Chiropractic treatment for children at your chiropractor is safe, gentle and effective.

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Introduction

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most well-known nerve entrapment disorder. As the name implies, these conditions occur when a nerve is trapped or constricted between other tissues of the body causing irritation and dysfunction of the nerve.

Anatomy

The carpal tunnel is positioned 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. In addition to the median nerve, the carpal tunnel is comprised of the nine tendons of the forearm muscles that are responsible for bending and flexing of the fingers and thumb. There are also arteries and lymphatic vessels that furnish circulation to the hand located within the tunnel. Wrist bones form the bottom and sides of the tunnel, while the top is shaped by the transverse carpal ligament, a robust band of connective tissue. The diameter of the carpal tunnel is about the same as the index finger making the carpal tunnel a jam-packed space. The flexor tendons, arteries and median nerve are intended to glide smoothly past each other during wrist and finger movement.

If the tendon size increases from inflammation or hypertrophy (growth), or if the carpal tunnel size shrinks because of  a misalignment of the carpal bones, the median nerve can become constricted or entrapped by the carpal tunnel. At first, carpal tunnel symptoms generally include, pain, numbness, pins and needles, and tinging in the fingers and hand, particularly the thumb and adjacent two fingers.  The symptoms are markedly apparent at night, often awakening the sufferer from sleep and making it necessary for the person to “shake out” or rub the hands in an attempt to relieve the unpleasant sensations.  In addition, activity can cause the hands to feel awkward or weak, and fatigue easily. Eventually, gripping small objects using the thumb and fingers can be gravely affected and, without treatment, can result in complete debilitation of the hand.

The following are general causes and corresponding conditions:

• 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. Nevertheless, those who work with equipment that vibrates and/or perform their jobs in extreme temperatures often develop carpal tunnel symptoms.  Even household activities as simple as repetitive wringing clothes by hand can help cause this syndrome. By far the most significant reason for the increase of people suffering with CTS is the continuous rise in the use of computers. 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 chiropractor is highly skilled in the diagnosis and managment of CTS. Chiropractors are well-trained in treating CTS.  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. Your chiropractor may suggest that you wear a splint or support, especially at night, to aid in the decompression of the carpal tunnel. Your chiropractor will also give you specific exercises to stretch and/or strengthen muscles of the forearm and hand.

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