Chiropractic Works

Archive for May, 2009

Are chiropractic adjustments safe during pregnancy Well, first off, yes it is highly advisable to get your spine checked while you are pregnant. As is clear to anyone with a set of eyes, your body is going through quite a lot of changes, and these alterations will continue as the pregnancy progresses. One change that goes basically unnoticed is your body’s increased production of the hormone elastin. This hormone is designed to relax the tendons in the pelvis. this easing gives the pelvis more flexibility during the birthing process to make delivering the baby easier.

This process, although designed to help the mother during labor, can produce much discomfort in the months leading up to the birth. As the pregnancy advances, more elastin is released, which allows the pelvis to become increasingly more unstable. Add to that the gradual increase in the size of the baby and uterus, and you have the ingredients for severe low back pain. As an chiropractor, I currently have several pregnant patients coming into my office for symptoms associated with their pregnancy, but usually it is for their low back pain.

A bonus to seeing a chiropractor routinely during your pregnancy is that there is proof that it can actually decrease labor time. Why is that you ask? Simply put, if the pelvis is where it needs to be, the muscles contracting during the labor process are more efficient and won’t have to strain against misaligned joints.

In answer to the second question above, by all means chiropractic care during your pregnancy is safe. Not only can chiropractic help you with your low back pain and other associated symptoms, such as heartburn, nausea, swelling, etc., but it is safe to both you and your baby. In addition, should the need arise, a trained chiropractor can assist a mother who has a breached baby. This is done by using the Webster Technique, a low force manipulation of the uterus that helps to get the baby into the appropriate position for birth. Additional information on the Webster Technique can easily be found online.

In summation, not only is chiropractic safe for pregnant women, it is also very beneficial in helping with the symptoms associated with their pregnancy. To any pregnant women out there reading this, please go to see your local chiropractor, or if you live or work in the area, look up your chiropractor. We can make you feel a lot more comfortable during your pregnancy, and we can even make the labor process easier.

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Scoliosis an Introduction

When the body is seen from behind, a normal spine looks straight without much deviation from laterally. But, if the spine is seen to have a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature, the patient might have a condition called scoliosis.The disorder shouldn’t be confused with bad posture, although it frequently gives the appearance that the person is leaning to one side. Characterized by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra, this complicated deformity often produces a distinctive “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is created by the vertebrae in the region of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their connected ribs posterior hence causing the symptomatic rib hump seen in thoracic scoliosis. The pulmonary and cardiac functions can be obstructed if the thoracic curve and rib rotation is more than 70 degrees. This intensity of curve and subsequent cardiac and pulmonary changes are often seen later in life in untreated severe idiopathic infantile and juvenile scoliosis patients and, as such, present a threat to life.

Anatomy

The spine displays four normal curves: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral, all of which are obvious from a side view of the trunk. In the lower spine there is a healthy “C-shaped” curve called swayback or lordosis, while the thoracic curve in the chest vicinity has a “reverse C” called a kyphosis. Hyperlordosis is the term used to describe heightened swayback, while increased kyphosis in the thoracic spine is called hyperkyphosis. Alterations from normal that are visible from a side view frequently accompany scoliosis changes. Occasionally round back deformities are simply due to bad posture and can often be resolved with postural exercises. A small percentage of people with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are seen in conjunction with vertebral deformity. This type of deformity, called Scheuermann’s kyphosis, is much harder to treat than postural kyphosis, and it’s cause is unknown.

Almost anyone can help to identify a child or grownup with scoliosis just by viewing the person in a standing position, preferably bare-chested and in boxers, and observing the following:

• One shoulder may be more elevated than the other.

• One scapula (shoulder blade) may be higher or more conspicuous than the other.

• There may be more area between the arm and the body on one side when the arms hang freely at the side.

• One hip may seem to be more elevated or more conspicuous than the other.

• The head is not centered over the pelvis.

• One side of the back appears higher than the other when the individual is observed from the rear and asked to lean forward until the the spine is horizontal.

The child or adult should be sent to a healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, for further assessment once scoliosis is identified. your chiropractor would be happy to help.

There are various causes and many varieties of scoliosis, nevertheless the most prevalent, by far, is Idiopathic Scoliosis, which accounts for approximately 85 % of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is observed with equal occurrence in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. This affliction can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent types, based upon the age of onset. Idiopathic Scoliosis commonly runs in families and may be caused by genetic or hereditary influences. For reasons yet to be found, girls are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves grow in size and require treatment. The most frequent time for the development of Idiopathic Scoliosis is during adolescence when children are finishing the last major growth spurt. Unfortunately, at this age young people are reluctant to permit their body to be seen by parents and other adults, so it is smart to have this age group examined on a regular basis.

If a scoliotic curve is found in the growing adolescent, it is vital that the curves be monitored for development by periodic examination and sometimes standing X-rays. In ninety percent of conditions, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, though| increases in spinal deformity necessitate evaluation to decide if a brace or other therapy is required. In a small number of people, surgical treatment may be required.~Surgery may be necessary for a small number of people.

Brace support (orthosis) is recommended for both juvenile and adolescent children when an increase in their scoliosis or kyphosis is observed, or when new symptoms of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis are diagnosed. There are quite a few types of braces, all created to prevent curves from increasing through acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Braces will not usually make the spine completely straight, and cannot always keep a curve from increasing. However, bracing is effectual in preventing curve progression in an impressive number of skeletally-immature adolescents.

There is no simple resolution for scoliosis. Most cases, even though regularly monitored, are not actively treated. The common medical treatment for moderate instances is a brace, whereas severe cases are sometimes treated surgically. You may want to see your local chiropractor first.

Besides bracing, many other therapies have been used successfully including specialized exercise, electric stimulation of spinal muscles, nutritional programs, and chiropractic treatments. It looks as if the best results have been supported with a multi-faceted approach to the management of this affliction.

There are chiropractors, that have expertise managing scoliosis conditions.

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There are many men and women today struggling with weight loss on a regular basis, notably extra weight around the middle. But, the necessity to lose weight is, most often, more than merely a cosmetic issue.  In actuality, if people are carrying around too much weight in the front of their body, their back is going to be adversely affected as a result.

Many individuals who are overweight encounter moderate to severe back pain. The reason for this is because the spine was not intended to carry something that is heavier than the body is at its naturally healthy weight.  As a human being puts on added weight, the spine starts to negatively change and to compress, producing a lot of pain and discomfort.  The pelvis can also be affected and become tilted forward causing it to pinch the sciatic nerve. This is a major reason why those who are overweight tend to have challenges with their lower back. The affliction is due to either sciatica or the distorting of the spinal column.

If you are suffering from this challenge, unmistakeably the thing to do is to eliminate extra weight that you are carrying around, and your spine will begin to regulate and go back into its regular position.  Unfortunately, losing those pounds is hard and it can take time, even with the best of intentions. However, on a positive note you don’t have to endure back pain as you lose the weight. A chiropractor can offer the pain relief you’ll need as you shed the extra pounds.

Even so, you will still need to lose the additional poundage, and being free of back pain will genuinely help you do it. Two things that are simple (but not necessarily easy), but will be highly beneficial to you in losing the extra weight naturally are being sure to get some sort of exercise, even if it’s simply a small amount per day, and modifying your diet so that you are taking in less calories than you use throughout the day. Sure, you’ve heard about these two things before. But, now that you’re aware your back is depending on you, it’s the perfect time to get truly inspired.

Start exercising slowly, especially if you’re having problems with back pain. And, most importantly, be sure to see a chiropractor so that you don’t make the mistake that many people do, which is to exercise into the pain. That will definitely make your condition worse. Exercise, though sometimes uncomfortable, should never be painful or cause pain. That’s why it’s essential to see a chiropractor if you’re suffering from back pain.

Do basic stretching exercises and also concentrate on your core abdominal body muscles. Strong stomach muscles assisting in relieving back pain. Your chiropractor will be able to offer exercises that are best for you, individually. Within just a week or two of dedication to losing the weight that is producing your back pain and perhaps other health issues as well, you should begin to notice a significant difference in the way that you feel.

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