Although every chiropractor and every clinic is a little different, what you can expect for an exam and treatment will generally be similar no matter which office you visit. Iím going to explain what you can expect with a typical exam and treatment for neck pain in our clinic.
After filling out the initial paperwork and getting checked in you will be taken into the exam room. The doctor will begin by asking a series of questions about your neck pain and a few more about your past health history and lifestyle. Once he or she has sufficient information an exam will.
The exam will usually begin with neck range of motion so that we can see how far you can move your neck in each direction and if any movements increase or decrease your symptoms. This will then be followed by a series of tests including orthopedic tests, neurological tests, and a chiropractic evaluation of the movement of the joints and the texture of the muscles in the affected area.
Once the exam is finished the doctor will explain to you the findings of the exam and the treatment that is recommended for those findings. He or she will present to you a treatment plan which is individualized to your specific needs. If you choose to continue your treatment will then begin.
The treatment provided for each person is going to vary depending on their particular condition but one of the treatment methods that is very effective for neck pain is the chiropractic adjustment. This treatment can be performed several different ways and will be modified to what is most comfortable for you. Adjustments to the neck can be performed with the patient seated, lying on their back, or lying face down. They can be performed with the doctorís hands, often producing a popping sound, or they can be performed with an instrument. There is another method know as muscle energy technique in which the patientís own muscles are used to achieve the needed movement in the joints.
The most effective method for you will be the one you feel most comfortable with. We offer a variety of techniques so that every patient can feel comfortable with their treatment. If you or anyone you know is experiencing neck pain, let us help you.
It’s very common to hear about rib problems, but what does it mean when the chiropractor tells you that you have a rib out? It simply means that one or more of the ribs has shifted slightly from being in normal alignment.
The ribs are connected to the vertebrae in our back, curve around our sides, and then connect to the sternum (breast bone) in our chest. They form the rib cage that encircles and protects vital organs such as the lungs and heart. Each time we breathe in our rib cage expands and when we breathe out it repositions.
Coughing or sneezing forcefully may cause a rib to become misaligned. Other causes for shifting in ribs include injuries, lifting heavy items, twisting, and holding poor posture.
When a person has a rib out they usually complain of pain in the back, in between the shoulder blades, or in the chest. The pain usually intensifies when the person takes a deep breath in, as that requires the rib to move and expand with the rib cage. The pain felt can be a sharp pain or achy pain in those areas. It typically is not a feeling of pressure and should not affect the ability to breathe.
The best treatment for a misaligned rib is chiropractic manipulation. There are several ways to perform an adjustment on a rib. Some chiropractors adjust ribs with the patient laying on their stomach, some prefer the patient laying on their back, and some prefer using an instrument versus their hands. The adjustment should not hurt, however depending on how long the rib has been misaligned the muscles may be adapted and there may be slight muscle soreness until they become accustomed to having the rib in the correct position again. After having a rib adjustment the patient usually feels better immediately after, but occasionally it may fall back out of place. This may happen a number of times until the muscles become trained to hold the rib in the normal alignment. The best and quickest way for the body to hold the adjustment is to strengthen the muscles surrounding the rib cage. Exercises should be given by the chiropractor to strengthen associated muscles such as the pectoralis muscles, the trapezius, and rhomboids.
If you think you may have a rib problem and are experiencing symptoms in the back, chest, or both contact your chiropractor to learn the best treatment options for you. They will be able to give complete treatment to correct the problem, alleviate the symptoms, and prevent future episodes. It’s a great way to feel better without exposing your body to medications and unnecessary side effects.
If the answer is yes, that means there is something that is not functioning properly in your back. The body uses pain to communicate with the brain and to alert it when there is a problem. Using over the counter pain relievers stop the communication, the pain signal, but do not fix the problem the body is trying to warn the brain of. Without fixing the dysfunction you are exposing your body to unnecessary medications and are leaving the problem dormant to come back again and again, likely worse in the future.
Do you have low back stiffness?
The obvious reason for low back stiffness is that there are joints that are not moving correctly. Throughout the spine there are vertebrae stacked upon one another all with a disc and joint in between. Each joint was created to move a specific amount and when one is not moving properly other joints begin to take over leading to problems in other areas of the spine. Stiff joints prevent adequate nutrition from entering the disc leading to degeneration and other significant problems to the disc and surrounding nerves. Stiff joints also lead to uneven joint wearing and contribute to degeneration and arthritis of the spine. Arthritis can also be a cause of stiffness, which when left immobilized can lead to further degeneration.
Do you have leg/foot symptoms?
All of the nerves responsible for sensation in the legs and feet leave the spinal cord through passageways between the vertebrae in the low back. If you are experiencing sharp or dull pain, numbness, burning, tingling, or even muscle weakness of the legs or feet it is highly likely the problem is originating in the lower back. Any type of injuries, wear and tear, and/or daily activities could cause these symptoms. Complaints related to the nervous system can be very serious and if untreated can become permanent.
Do you work at a job where you sit or stand for long periods?
Our bodies are designed to be active and change positions frequently. If your job does not allow activity you are at risk for postural overload syndrome. This is a term describing muscle sprain/strains due to repeated poor posture. The condition is also found with muscles of the neck, but more commonly in the low back. It is important to be educated in proper ergonomics, posture, equipment available for extra support, and specific exercises to keep muscles that are not active in the work place strong to prevent future injuries.
The one thing all of these conditions have in common is, by not seeing your chiropractor and addressing the problem, they are getting worse. Occasionally we come across patients that have these simple complaints and uncover more serious matters. With all examinations we must determine if the patient can be treated by chiropractic or if they need medical attention prior to their treatment. Once this has been determined, specific orthopedic tests will be performed to identify the biomechanical cause of the complaints. An individualized treatment plan will be created to alleviate the symptoms and restore proper function, and lifestyle recommendations made to prevent future occurrences.
If you have had, or are experiencing, any of these symptoms then it is time to see your chiropractor. If you are interested in being proactive in your health and wellness, take a moment to ask your chiropractor for suggestions on how to prevent low back injuries.
If the answer is yes, that means there is something that is not functioning properly in your neck. The body uses pain to communicate with the brain and to alert it when there is a problem. Using over the counter pain relievers stop the communication, the pain signal, but do not fix the problem the body is trying to warn the brain of. Without fixing the dysfunction you are exposing your body to unnecessary medications and are leaving the problem dormant to come back again and again, likely worse in the future.
Do you have neck stiffness?
The obvious reason for neck stiffness is that there are joints that are not moving correctly. There are seven vertebrae stacked upon one another in the neck and between each is a disc and a joint. Each joint was created to move a specific amount and when one is not moving properly other joints begin to take over leading to problems in other areas of the spine. Stiff joints prevent adequate nutrition from entering the disc leading to degeneration and other significant problems to the disc and surrounding nerves. Stiff joints also lead to uneven joint wearing and contribute to degeneration and arthritis of the spine.
Do you have arm/hand symptoms?
All of the nerves responsible for sensation in the arms and hands leave the spinal cord through passageways between the vertebrae in the neck. If you are experiencing sharp or dull pain, numbness, tingling, or even muscle weakness of the arms or hands it is highly likely the problem is originating in the neck. Any type of injuries, wear and tear, and/or daily activities could cause these symptoms. Complaints related to the nervous system can be very serious and if untreated can become permanent.
Do you have headaches?
There are many types of headaches that occur for different reasons. Chiropractors are experienced in evaluating headaches and can tell you if the source is stemming from a neck problem, stress, food allergy, something you are doing in your daily activities, or something that is more serious warranting a medical referral. Chiropractors treat headaches quite successfully because many are due to joint dysfunction and muscular imbalance in the neck.
The one thing all of these conditions have in common is, by not seeing your chiropractor and addressing the problem, they are getting worse. Occasionally we come across patients that have these simple complaints and uncover more serious matters. With all examinations we must determine if the patient can be treated by chiropractic or if they need immediate medical attention prior to their treatment. Once this has been determined, specific orthopedic tests will be performed to identify the biomechanical cause of the complaints. An individualized treatment plan will be created to alleviate the symptoms and restore proper function, and lifestyle recommendations made to prevent future occurrences.
If you have had, or are experiencing, any of these symptoms then it is time to see your chiropractor. If you are interested in being proactive in your health and wellness, take a moment to ask your chiropractor for suggestions on how to prevent neck injuries.
Most people probably know that chiropractors treat neck pain and back pain and that their method of treatment is the chiropractic adjustment. Adjustments to the spine are effective for restoring the proper motion to the joints and helping to reduce pain and muscle spasm. What they may not know is that this method of treatment can be used to treat all of the joints of the body. The same types of problems that lead to neck and back pain can occur in the joints of the extremities as well. The extremities are the arms, hands, legs, and feet.
Just like in the spine, extremity joint problems are often caused by traumatic injury or by repetitive stress on the joints from poor posture or ergonomics or improper technique in the activities we are doing. Problems can also arise from lack of flexibility which alters the way we do things and can put added stress on the joints. People who participate in sports or other physical activities are especially vulnerable to these types of problems.
All the parts of our body are connected to each other by joints. We call this a kinetic chain, which means a change of movement. If one part of the chain is not moving properly then the other parts are affected. When the mechanics of movement are changed it places added stress on joints farther down the chain. This can lead to pain and injury. For example if the joints of the low back and pelvis are not moving properly, it can put added stress on the knees or ankles. The opposite is also true. Improper movement in the foot and ankle can put added stress on the low back. Even though we feel the pain in one place the problem may be in a different area.
Chiropractic adjustments to the extremities, along with treatment of the soft tissues, help to ensure that all the joints are moving properly and increase flexibility. They can help to increase our range of motion and allow us to use proper technique in the activities we are doing. They can also help improve our performance and prevent injuries due to altered mechanics of movement.
Aches and pains in the joints are not normal. If you or anyone you know is experiencing joint pain, find a chiropractor and find out how chiropractic treatment can be beneficial for you.
Even though when I first decided to become a chiropractor I had never been a chiropractic patient, I had already seen its benefits in the lives of others. I had been with my dad on a number of occasions when he could no longer walk upright because of his back pain but would often walk out of the chiropractor’s office standing tall and practically pain free. I had heard my grandpa’s story about his entire leg going numb while driving a big truck but after a visit to the chiropractor his leg was back to normal. That’s why when I decided to pursue a career as a health care professional I knew that chiropractic was a profession I should consider.
Along with chiropractic, I researched the fields of medicine, dentistry, podiatry, and optometry. They all had positive aspects but what I liked most about chiropractic was that it was a natural form of treatment that aided the body’s ability to heal itself and that the only prescription was exercise and lifestyle changes. I felt that many medications were useful and necessary in some cases but can also have undesirable side effects. I personally never liked to take medication unless it was necessary because I didn’t like how it made me feel so I liked the idea of being able to help people in a more natural way. I also liked the emphasis on achieving and maintaining the proper movement in the joints of the body. This made a lot of sense to me from a practical standpoint since our joints are made to move.
Another thing that I liked about chiropractic was the hands on and conservative way that many chiropractors approach health care and the strong role that rehabilitation plays in their treatment. This coincided well with my interest in sports medicine. Having been an athlete for most of my life and having sustained various injuries, I could see the value that this kind of treatment could have for athletic injuries.
For all these reasons and the fact that it was a profession that would allow me to work for myself and have time to spend with my family was why I became a chiropractor. I have been in practice for several years now and chiropractic has lived up to my expectations. I enjoy not only helping people to get out of pain but also teaching them what they can do to keep the pain from coming back. I enjoy helping people to take charge of their own health and become more active. And I enjoy the connection that I have with each patient as we work together to improve their quality of life.
Now that I’ve not only been able to help people as a healthcare provider, but I’ve also been the recipient of chiropractic care, I still see the positive effect it has on other peoples’ lives but now I have firsthand experience with its benefits in my own life.
What is that sound, why do patients immediately feel different?
To understand what’s going on in a dynamic thrust adjustment you need to picture the joint as if it were the liquid between two flat surfaces like the bottom of a wet plate on the counter top. Think of an adjustment as the moment when you release that suction the water can produce as you try to lift the plate off the counter top. This analogy is very close to an adjustment. The sound you hear during a dynamic thrust adjustment is the release of surface tension and the formation of a vacuum with-in the joint capsule.
The formation of the vacuum within the joint is the magic of an osseous adjustment because it is like rebooting the joint capsule. After the vacuum is formed it acts as a cushion inside the joint capsule. This cushioning cancels pain signals which can emanate from the joint and inhibitor function. Joints capsules throughout the body contain specialized nerve receptors mainly mechanoreceptors and nociceptors. Mechanoreceptors are the specialized receptors you use to set muscle tone, assisting in coordination, strength, movement, and balance. Nociceptors are the specialized receptors for pain. You use nociceptors to inhibit strength, movement thereby protecting your joints from further injury.
Think of them as + & – signs with mechanoreceptors being + signs and nociceptors as – signs. Mechanoreceptors allowing and directing your strength, agility, and coordination and nociceptors inhibiting, diminishing or canceling your strength, agility, and coordination.
This is why when a person is in pain they are weaker and less coordinated. This is also why professional athletes use and benefit from Chiropractic treatments to give them a competitive edge. Chiropractic treatments can minimize or eliminate nociceptors activity and there by allow the athlete to express their full strength, agility and coordination.
The next surprising facts are how fast it happens and how long it lasts. The shutting off of nociceptor activity with an osseous adjustment takes 1/10th of a second. That’s why patients immediately feel different. The benefits outlast all other treatment approaches by hours to days and when done correctly the benefits are accumulative lasting weeks, months and even years
So now you have a partial understanding of the basic physiology and neurology in a joint when a typical Chiropractic adjustment is done. There is a lot more to know, but you already know enough to ask yourself a question. Who would benefit from an optimized mechanoreceptor output and a minimized nociceptor output ? Answer absolutely everyone!
As a new patient or a patient with years of chiropractic experience knowing what techniques are utilized at a Chiropractic office would be helpful. While you can often get such information if you call I have provided it here for your perusal.
Segmental Chiropractic techniques include:
Diversified – Diversified is a generic bending of named and unnamed techniques usually done by hand with low to moderate force often with an osseous release.
Toggle recoil – Toggle recoil is a specific upper cervical technique utilized to realign the Atlas and stimulate the brain stem. Usually done by hand with very high speed and low force without an osseous release.
Thompson drop work – Thompson drop work utilizes a table with drop sections, which suddenly stop after a small drop causing joints to move utilizing inertia. This technique works particularly well with some types of low back cases. Always done by hand on a drop table with low to moderate force usually without an osseous release.
Cox Flexion Distraction – Cox flexion distraction work utilizes a table with moving section, which lowers and rises while the doctor distracts lumbar vertebra utilizing the motion of the table. The is a lumbar disc technique done by hand with low force without an osseous release.
Gonstead – Gonstead work is manual adjusting done by hand with moderate force to affect the disc with an osseous release.
SOT – SOT is a lowback and pelvic technique utilizing wedge shaped blocks to gentle realign the pelvic joints and improve low back biomechanics. This technique works particularly well with some types of low back cases, done by hand with wedge shaped blocks positioned under the pelvis with no force and no osseous release.
Activator – Activator technique utilizing a special hand held tool, which can deliver a high-speed impulse into the patient to improve segmental biomechanics. This technique is done by hand with an adjusting instrument with low force and no osseous release.
Extremity Adjusting – Extremity adjusting can be done by hand or instrument and is usually low force with and with out an osseous release.
Regional Chiropractic techniques include:
Chiropractic Biophysics – Chiropractic Biophysics is a technique utilizing blocks, wedges, and specific positioning of a patient before drop work is utilized for the corrections. This technique is based on correction to gravity and to idea curvatures utilizing mirror image preloading. This technique has a powerful systemic effect on the nervous system.
Pierce Stillwagon – Pierce Stillwagon is a technique utilizing specific positioning of a patient before drop work is utilized to restore the proper curvature to the cervical spine.
Axial traction release – Axial traction release is done by hand or with appliances to axially stretch and or release the joints of a region —particularly the disc in a region. This is a valuable technique for patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis.
Although the first person an athlete thinks of when he or she gets injured might not be a chiropractor, chiropractic for the treatment of athletic injuries has gained much popularity in recent years as athletes of all types have discovered the benefits that it can have. Most professional sports teams as well as the US Olympic team have chiropractors on staff. In fact the current director of the USOC sports medicine clinics in Colorado Springs, CO is a chiropractor.
So why should you see a chiropractor for your sports injury? Even though most people probably think of chiropractors as treating back pain or neck pain, we really treat all the joints and muscles of the body. We focus on body mechanics and joint movement and work to restore and maintain the proper movement of the joints. This is very important for athletes since improper mechanics and movement can put additional stress on our body tissues and cause the aches and pains that we often think are just part of being active. Our treatment focuses not only on the relief of pain but also determining and correcting the cause of the injury so that the athlete is less likely to reinjure the area.
Some injuries are caused by trauma due to contact with other players or objects but many arise from improper body biomechanics, improper sporting techniques and improper conditioning. These types of problems lead to injuries that occur when making quick movements or landing from a jump or injuries that come on slowly and get progressively worse. If the biomechanical or technique problems are not corrected, these injuries are likely to return over and over again. Chiropractors have extensive training in biomechanics and are able to determine where muscle imbalances, improper joint movement or poor technique exists and can treat the problems accordingly. They can also give you proper exercise instruction to rehabilitate your injury and prevent future injury.
Many athletes have discovered that not only can chiropractic treatment help them return to their sport or activity without the previous pain but can improve their performance as well. It is effective for everyone from weekend warriors to elite athletes. If you participate in a sport or just live an active life, talk to a chiropractor about how you can do what you love to do without pain, prevent injury and improve your performance.
One of the many conditions that chiropractors treat is shoulder pain. The shoulder is a complex structure made up of several joints and many muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Pain in the shoulder can be caused by many different things so the first thing that needs to be done is determine the cause of the pain and then determine the tissues that are involved.
The main shoulder joint is the joint between the humerus, which is the upper arm bone, and the scapula or shoulder blade. There is also a joint between the scapula and the clavicle or collar bone. There is also a significant amount of movement that occurs between the scapula and rib cage. This is not a true joint but it is an important part of the shoulder complex.
Since the area that we call our shoulder can be anywhere between the neck and the upper arm, the specific area where the pain is felt is important in determining the cause of the pain. If the pain is closer to the neck or in the shoulder blade area it is likely being felt in the muscles of that area which control movements of the head, scapula, and arm. This type of pain is often caused by repetitive movements or poor posture and ergonomics. It can also stem from problems with the movement of the joints of the spine in the neck and upper back which cause these muscles to become tight and sore.
If the pain is felt more toward the outside of the shoulder, closer to the arm, it is more likely a problem in the tendons or ligaments of the shoulder joints. This type of pain usually arises from traumatic injury to the area, such as a sports injury, or from dysfunction in the joint movement which can cause the tendons to get pinched between the bones. The pinching of the tendons is called impingement and is a common cause of pain when raising the arm up or doing activities with the arms above the head.
One other possible cause of shoulder pain is injury to the discs of the spine which can lead to pressure on the nerves which leave the spinal cord in the area of the neck and upper back and travel across the shoulder and down the arm. This is commonly known as a disc bulge or disc herniation and can cause pain in the shoulder and even down the arm and hand.
Whatever the cause or the pain or the structures involved, chiropractic is an effective method of treatment. Chiropractors are experts in determining the cause of the pain and in treating muscle and joint injuries. Some injuries may be more serious and may require surgery. Your chiropractor will be able to determine the severity of your injury and will refer you to the proper provider if necessary. If you or anyone you know is experiencing shoulder pain, I urge you to seek treatment from your chiropractor.