Category Archives: Chiropractic

Low Back Pain

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The spine shown here with spinal cord.
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Low back pain does not discriminate. It affects everyone, at any age, for a variety of reasons. Low back pain affects people’s work, daily routine, and recreation. Americans spend about $50 billion or more each year on low back pain. It is the most common reason for job related disability and is the leading contributor for missed work. Low back pain is also the second most common neurological illness in the United States, with headache being the most common. Thankfully, the majority of occurrences of low back pain disappear within a few days. Others lead to more serious conditions or even take much longer to clear up.

Short-term or acute low back pain lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Acute low back pain is automatic in nature, which is a result from any disorder like arthritis, or from trauma to the lower back. Trauma pain can be caused by sports injury, work in the garden or around the house, or sudden jolts from car accidents or other incidents, or other stress on the spinal tissues and bones. Symptoms of low back pain can range from muscle ache to stabbing or shooting pain, limited range of motion and flexibility, and even the inability to stand up straight. Sometimes, the pain felt in one part of the body can be from a disorder or injury elsewhere in the body. Acute pain syndromes can become much more serious if it goes untreated.

Bone strength and muscle elasticity and tone tend to decrease as people age. The discs in the back begin to lose flexibility and fluid, and that decreases the ability to cushion the vertebrae.

Low back pain can occur when someone overstretches or lifts something that is too heavy, causing strain, sprain, or spasm in one of the muscles or ligaments in the lower back. If the spine becomes overly strained or compressed, the disc that is affected can rupture or bulge outward. This rupture may put pressure on one of more than fifty nerves that are rooted to the spinal cord that control body movements and send signals from the body to the brain. When these nerve roots are compressed or irritated in any way, back pain, including low back pain, can occur.

Low back pain can reflect muscle or nerve irritation or bone lesions. While often times, low back pain follows injury or trauma to the back, it can also be caused by viral infections, irritation to joints and discs, degenerative conditions such as disc disease or arthritis, osteoporosis or other bone diseases, or congenital abnormalities of the spine. Smoking, obesity, weight gain during pregnancy, poor physical condition, stress, bad posture for the activity being performed, and even poor sleeping positions can contribute to low back pain. In addition, scar tissue from a previously injured back does not have the flexibility or strength of normal, healthy tissue. Build up of this scar tissue from previous injuries will weaken the back and lead to more serious injury.

Sometimes low back pain may mean a more serious medical problem. Pain that is accompanied by fever or loss of bladder or bowel control, pain when coughing, and weakness in the legs may indicate a pinched nerve or other serious problem. Diabetics can have severe low back pain or leg pains related to neuropathy. Those with these symptoms should contact their doctor to help prevent more permanent damage.

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Some of the Chiropractic Techniques

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Posterior median line
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When most people think of chiropractic techniques, the standard neck or back adjustment is what comes to mind.  However to understand why chiropractic care is so useful, it is imperative to be aware that doctors of chiropractic have a lot more tricks up their sleeves other than just the famous back adjustment.  Chiropractors treat more areas of the body than just the spine.  These highly trained professionals go to school for in depth training of techniques and when and where they are appropriate, as well as detailed study of how the body works in relation to all aspects of health.  Muscle and bones are just a part of their training.  They also are taught how disease and injury affect each region of the body and how to treat it for optimum healing.  Take a look at some of the chiropractic techniques you may be less familiar with.

One of the most interesting of the chiropractic techniques is known as the applied kinesiology technique.  This one deals with more than just the alignment of the spine and joints.  The placement of the bones can’t be correct unless the muscles surrounding them are in correct placement as well.  Using light massage and manipulation of the acupressure points, chiropractors can encourage normal and healthy muscle function.  This restored balance helps the bones move back into the proper ailment.  This technique is an interesting look at how all the systems of the body work together as one.

Since the spine related adjustments are the most familiar to most of us, here’s a look at some of the spine chiropractic techniques and what they are used to correct.  The Cox flexion distraction is first up on our list.  This technique involves using stretching or traction of the spine to correct lower back pain and misalignment.  The Thompson terminal point technique is another one of the frequently used techniques.  Using a special drop style table, this technique is used to adjust the entire spine.  Another fascinating example of the dynamic of how different areas of the body can adversely affect a seemingly unrelated area of the body is neck pain.  In some cases the Sacro-Occipital technique is used.  The patient lies on their back with padded blocks placed under the pelvic region.  This allows the body to adjust itself and reduce neck pain.  There are hundreds of other techniques chiropractors can use to improve the performance of the body and promote pain relief.  These are just a few.

The various chiropractic techniques are an interesting look at how every area of the body directly impacts its neighbor.  Understanding the purpose of some of the things your chiropractor may do is a good way to reduce fear of the unknown and take a proactive stand in your own health care.

Each of the chiropractic techniques was designed to heal a specific problem.  These techniques help to relieve pain, improve joint flexibility, and increase body function without the use of medications or surgeries.

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Can A Chiropractor Reduce My Back Pain?

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Once you have injured your body, particularly your back, it may take you a very long time to get back into shape. The treatments for back pain vary from pain pills to rest to stretching, but there is one more arrow in the quiver that most people do not realize works as well, if not better than any of these treatments for some recipients.

With the utilization of rapid movements which are designed to reposition your bones to properly line up, chiropractors re-aligning your body. Some people are a little taken aback by the twisting or cracking that accompanies any good adjustment, but don’t fear. Afterward, there can be some minor pain or discomfort but that does decrease rapidly in most cases. You will feel better once that soreness goes away, since you are better aligned now.

To be most successful, Chiropractic treatment must be utilized regularly to be effective. Usually one to two times per week is enough to bring about proper alignment while allowing the body enough time to heal itself too. Sometimes a comprehensive chiropractic treatment plan will involve several treatments over the course of several months, and others may only need to visit once a month, but either way successful spinal re-alignment can be an involved process.

Upon visiting your chiropractor you will be twisted and turned into various positions for adjustment, so expect that. You adjustment will usually involve you lying on your back or stomach while you are positioned for adjustment by the doctor. Your body will be adjusted as you need, then you will be moved into a different positions to adjust another joint.

After aligning certain joints, the doctor may adjust other smaller joints that may be limited in their range of motion as well. Once the doctor has your into the perfect position to be effective a rapid series of motions are applied for the adjustment. Before scheduling your next visit, your doctor may ask you to relax on the roller table or another massage machine.

You will almost invariably experience a reduction in pain and an increase in your range of motion in your body after adjustment. The long term goals of chiropractic treatment do include pain reduction and returned mobility, especially in the back.

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Back Pain Relief Done Naturally – Fishers Chiropractic Therapy

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Most people have suffered from back pain at one time or another. Many of these people have to sit in front of a computer for hours at a time at work or school each day. The most common treatment for this kind of pain has usually been prescription medications and surgery. Chiropractic care has become a more widely known option that offers a drug free solution. Fishers Chiropractic Therapy in Indiana offers services for backache relief and more.

There are many cases when back and neck pain result from the vertebra in the back and neck becoming compressed; this may also lead to frequent headaches. The compression can be relieved by chiropractic adjustments. This is a natural, safe. And effective way to fix the problem.

Sometimes chiropractic clinics also offer massage therapy and health assessments. Chiropractic care takes the whole into consideration and focuses on overall wellness. For this reason, there are many ailments that may be remedied through chiropractic care.

A good chiropractor may even be able to help you with your golf game. Any issue with the spine will cause other problems in the body and with movement. It is possible that the issues you are having with your swing are originating in your back.

It is important to answer all of the chiropractor’s questions as honestly as possible because these questions will help them to develop and individualized treatment program for you. This will help you to receive the best care possible. Employing an individualized plan of care is the best way to feel better and stay feeling better.

Chiropractic care does not stop at simple backaches; a large number of ailments can be naturally remedied by chiropractic care. It is even possible that some chiropractic care could improve your golf game. This natural method has worked for millions of people all over the world.

Many people today suffer from back, neck, and hip pain. Some of this may be caused by our lifestyle or the things we are required to do at work. Fishers Chiropractic Therapy in Indiana offers many chiropractic services that may be right for you. More info on http://www.hcfishers.com

Should Children See Chiropractors?

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While you may routinely think to seek chiropractic care for yourself, you may be wondering if it is safe for your child. Chiropractic and children work very well together. Starting from birth, children provided chiropractic care can benefit greatly.

Newborns often experience spinal issues during the birth process. This stress can affect the developing nervous system, resulting in colic, sleep disturbances, nursing difficulties and breathing problems. A quick visit to the chiropractor can realign anything that is out of place and relieve many of these discomforts.

As babies grow, they have the possibility of being affected by spinal issues when they learn to hold up their head, when they learn to sit, to crawl and to walk. All the falls, bumps and just their normal activities have the potential to affect their spinal vertebrae. While the trauma may be minor, left to itself it may develop into a long-term problem as the child grows. A simple check up by a chiropractor will make sure everything is still in alignment for proper growth and development. This doesn’t mean you need to rush your child to the chiropractor every time they lose their balance, but occasional preventative treatments can find and correct these issues before they create problems.

As a child grows and starts activities like skating, biking or sports, they may experience various traumas. Small misalignments may occur during these incidents that can potentially lead to more serious issues as they grow. A quick visit for a chiropractic evaluation now and then during these years can straighten these issues out before they become serious.

If a child is injured in a sports accident or a car accident, this is a good time to make sure their tiny spine was not injured in any way. Many parents discover that periodic spinal adjustments will help with ear infections, asthma, allergies and headaches. All of these common issues could possibly be related to a subluxation (a spinal misalignment – commonly due to trauma). Parents are discovering that their children are usually healthier and are often no longer manifesting these problems after a treatment or two.

It is important for parents to remember that chiropractors do not treat diseases or conditions. They merely check the spine for misalignments that affect the proper functioning of the nervous system. When the nerves are free to do their job, everything functions better.

When you take your child to a chiropractor, ask if they have treated children and babies before. You may feel more comfortable with a doctor who treats children routinely. The doctor will take your child’s case history and perform an exam to see if there are any issues with the spine. All adjustments and examinations are gentle and are specifically done according to the developing status of the child’s spine. Most children enjoy their visit to the chiropractor and look forward to the next appointment. Parents note that with regular chiropractic care, their children seem to be healthier than they were without this care.

While most spinal issues are next to impossible to ascertain for parents, there are a few signs to watch for. Child holds his or her head to one side consistently Restricted range of motion of the head or neck Sleeping patterns disrupted every hour or two Feeding difficulties in infants

Persistent earaches, sore throats, colic, headaches, bedwetting and growing pains may all be signs of minor subluxations of the spine.

Philip Vincent is a health educator. Need a Houston Chiropractor Galleria? Consider a visit to this Houston Galleria Chiropractor.