Arthritis
There are over 100 different forms of arthritis and it can affects everyone in different ways and different places, targeting joints in the spine, shoulders, and knees, or the wrists, fingers, and even toes. The symptoms target the joints and can range in nature and form from simple stiffness and pain to losing their normal shape due to inflammation from large amounts of fluid and debris from eroding joints and bones to fill the joint space.
Allergies
Chiropractic
can help reduce the severity and the frequency of your allergies.(1)
Chiropractic does not work like an anti-histamine as a direct, short
term relief from allergies. Chiropractic allows your body to be better
equipped to fight against allergies.
Allergies are a reaction by
your immune system to an allergen (substances that normally have no
effect on people) resulting in sneezing, coughing, congestion, hives,
rashes, and in severe cases, seizure and anaphylactic shock. These
symptoms are caused by the histamines your immune system creates in an
attempt to protect your body against the allergen.
When your
spine is misaligned it can impinge on the nervous system in your body.
Studies have shown that the nervous system has an effect on the
functionality of your immune system. When your nervous system is under
stress and not functioning properly, your immune system cannot work at
an optimal level. Chiropractors work with the nervous system by aligning
the spine to relieve any stress on nerves. This allows the immune
system to work at a higher level, making it easier to fight off
infections while recognizing allergens. When your immune system
recognizes allergens, it will not overreact to them, or at least not
react as severely to them.
If you suffer from allergies, chiropractic can help you find relief. Schedule an appointment today.
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 (cervical acceleration-deceleration—CAD) describes a range of neck injuries that can be caused by or related to sudden hyperextension or hyper-flexion. 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
Chances are you or someone you know suffers with low back pain. In fact 85% of adults will experience back pain in their lifetime. 10% or more will continue to have low back pain longer than 3 months, making it a chronic condition. Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. The main causes of back pain are mechanical or non-organic meaning they are not caused by serious conditions such as infection, fracture, or cancer.
Most of the time pain occurs because of increase pressure on the supporting joints, intervertebral disks, or spinal nerves. Repetitive trauma, prolonged posture, improper lifting, bad spinal mechanics, and improper sleep posture are just a few of the main reasons why so many Americans suffer. Since low back pain is predominantly a mechanical problem, I often times wonder why so many people try to solve their mechanical problem with a chemical solution! It is true that many times people can get relief with taking an anti-inflammatory pill or pain reliever. Why does it not surprise them that the pain keeps coming back?
Chiropractic techniques approach low back pain in a unique way. Chiropractors will assess spinal alignment and take into consideration existing degeneration of intervertebral disks and joints, abnormal spinal curvatures such as scoliosis, and restrictive supporting musculature. By alleviating these factors the patient stands a much better chance to have long term reduction of their low back pain and better odds for the ability to perform regular daily activities without worry.
Tips to prevent neck and back pain:
- Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
- Remain active--under the supervision of your doctor of chiropractic.
- Avoid prolonged inactivity, posture, or sitting.
- Warm up or stretch before exercising or other physical activities, such as gardening.
- Maintain proper posture.
- Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
- Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine. Avoid pillow top mattresses--they are comfortable but will not give you support you need!
- Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting. Basically avoid lifting and reaching and lifting and twisting.
- Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
- Make sure your workstation is set up ergonomically correct with your monitor directly in front of you at eye level.
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 misalignments 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.
Migraines
Migraines affect many people of all ages and can range in severity from mild inconveniences to chronic episodes of unbearable throbbing, constant pain, and even nausea.
Sciatica
Sciatica
is a condition that results when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated.
Bulging discs, spinal subluxations, 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 misalignments, 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.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis occurs when the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue and can cause significant problems on the joints and vertebrae of one’s spine.
Questions? If so, call us at (856) 985-3336. Here at Madorno Chiropractic we provide the very best in chiropractic care and are very concerned about you as an individual patient. Our chiropractic treatments are gentle and effective. Soon you can be leading a pain-free life, looking forward to a happier and healthier future.
(1)Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15965403?dopt=A...