One of the conditions that chiropractors commonly treat is foot pain. The foot and ankle are made up of 28 bones and hundreds of muscles, ligaments and tendons. The mechanics of movement are very complex and there are many causes of foot pain but I’m going to discuss some of the more common ones that chiropractors treat.
A common foot condition that most people have heard of is plantar fasciitis. It is due to irritation and inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a long ligament like structure which runs along the bottom of the foot to support the arch. This condition often causes pain in the bottom of the heel and sometimes across the bottom of the arch. It is common in runners but can also affect anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet.
Metatarsalgia, or pain in the ball of the foot, is another foot problem. It can have a number of causes but is usually due to problems with the joint movement in that area or excessive pressure on that part of the foot due to repetitive activities or faulty footwear. It is common in people who walk or run a lot or people whose daily activities require them be on their feet.
One of the most common athletic injuries to the foot and ankle is Achilles tendonitis. It can present as pain in the back of the heel or farther up the tendon closer to the calf muscle. It is especially common athletes that perform repetitive activities such as running and jumping. Men over the age of 40 are also more likely to injure the Achilles tendon.
All of these causes of foot pain generally respond very well to chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors are experts in biomechanics, the way the joints of the body move. They are also experts in the treatment of the joints and soft tissues of the body. A chiropractor will be able to determine the cause of the pain, provide the treatment necessary and then provide instruction on corrective exercise so the same problems don’t reoccur. Some foot problems are more serious and may require surgery or other forms of medical treatment. Your chiropractor will be able to determine the severity of your problem and refer you to the proper provider if necessary.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing foot pain you don’t need to live with it. Go see you chiropractor.
Some of the symptoms that we commonly see as chiropractors are pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs. Although these symptoms are felt in the extremities, they are often caused by irritation to the nerves in the low back or neck. This irritation is commonly due to injury of the disc between the bones of the spine. The nerves that run through the arms leave the spinal cord through openings between the vertebrae of the neck and those that go down the legs leave the spinal cord through openings between the vertebrae in the low back. When these nerves become irritated these arm and leg symptoms can occur. I’m going to briefly discuss some of the treatments we use to treat this kind of condition.
One of the treatments that you may have heard of is spinal decompression. This encompasses a number of treatment methods but one of the main ones is traction of the spine. Traction is accomplished by applying gentle force towards the head while simultaneously applying force towards the feet. This slightly stretches the spine allowing fluid to re-enter the discs and stretching the surrounding muscles. This also helps to reduce inflammation and relax the musculature.
Another type of spinal decompression is call flexion distraction or distraction decompression. This technique consists of the patient lying face down on a table which has a lower half that can move up and down. As the feet go down it causes distraction of the spine. This treatment accomplishes the same thing as spinal traction but also increases the motion of the joints providing an increased therapeutic effect.
A different kind of treatment for leg and arm symptoms is called neuromobilization. Injury in or around the joints of the spine and disc can cause inflammation. This inflammation can sometimes limit the amount the nerve can move through its passageway. When we move our arms and legs in certain directions it stretches the nerves. If these nerves aren’t allowed proper movement they become irritated. Neuromobilization helps to restore the proper movement of these nerves through their passageways.
All these treatments along with chiropractic adjustments can be very effective in reducing arm and leg symptoms. If you or anyone you know is experiencing pain, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs I urge you to seek treatment from your chiropractor.
Back pain is something that a lot of people experience. In fact most people will have some degree of back pain in their lifetime. A lot of the things we do every day put stress on our backs and over time can cause damage and pain. The good news is that there are many things that can be done to prevent this common injury.
Unfortunately in today’s world we spend a lot of time sitting. Whether it’s sitting at a computer, driving or watching television, if we don’t have good sitting posture we are putting a lot of extra stress on our backs. One of the main things that can be done to have better posture is to make sure that there is good low back support. The spine in the low back naturally curves inward. This curved position is the position in which the spine is most supported and there is the least amount of stress on the muscles and ligaments. Lack of low back support while we are sitting causes that curve to straighten leaves the spine in a more vulnerable position. Over time this added stress can lead to injury and pain.
If your chair or car seat does not have good support a small pillow or rolled up towel can be placed behind you to maintain the inward curve and take the stress off your low back. Having this support will help you sit up straighter and have better overall posture.
Another thing we can do to prevent extra stress on our backs and necks is to have things we are looking at directly in front of us. If your computer screen or television is off to one side you have to turn your head and upper body toward them to be able to see. Our spines are made to turn but not to stay in a tuned position for long periods of time. This position puts unnecessary stress on the spine and can lead to injury. Make sure your computer screen or television is directly in front of you and as close to eye level as possible.
Many people wake up in the morning with back and neck pain. Often times this is due to their sleeping position. Having the spine in a stressful position all night can lead to pain and injury. The best position to sleep in is on your side or on your back. Avoid sleeping on your stomach as this is puts a lot of stress in the neck and low back. While sleeping on your side it can help to put a pillow between your knees or while on your back, putting a pillow behind your knees. This will help take stress off of the low back. While side lying it is also important to make sure your neck is supported. Make sure you have enough pillow to keep you head and neck in a neutral position, not bent to one side or another.
One final way to prevent back and neck pain is to see your chiropractor. Periodic visits to the chiropractor will help make sure that your spine is functioning properly and that you are not putting undue stress on the ligaments and muscles. He or she can also give you advice on lifestyle changes you can make and exercises and stretches to do to help prevent injuries.
Be proactive about your health and stop back pain before it occurs.
Most people have had a headache before and many people experience them quite frequently. There are many types of headaches and causes for them. Some types can be easily remedied while others may require treatment. Knowing the cause of the headache makes it easier to stop and may even help prevent them from occurring.
Some of the more minor things that cause headaches in some people are not drinking enough water, not eating frequently enough or not getting enough sleep. This type can be easily dealt with and even prevented. The next time you get a headache think about how much water you are drinking throughout the day, how often you are eating and how much sleep you are getting. Changing those things can make a big difference.
One type of headache that generally needs treatment is called a muscle tension headache. This type is cause by tightness and tension in the muscles of your neck, upper back and shoulders. The tightness and tension is often brought on by poor posture, improper ergonomics or stress. Chiropractic treatment to these affected muscles and the corresponding joints is very effective in treating this type of headache because it helps to relax the muscles and restore proper movement of the joints.
Migraines are another type of headache. They occur differently in different people and have a wide variety of symptoms including nausea, inability to concentrate and sensitivity to light or sound. Some people have migraines only occasionally and others have them quite frequently. They can have a large effect on a person’s normal daily activities when they occur. The cause of this type of headache is not well understood but there some good treatment options. For people who have very severe and frequent migraines a prescription medication may be needed but for many migraine sufferers this may not be necessary. Many people know how they feel when they are going to get a migraine and can tell when it is going to occur. Getting chiropractic treatment when the migraine is beginning is effective in reducing the intensity and duration of migraine headaches. Regular chiropractic treatment can also help reduce the frequency in which people get migraine and make them much more bearable when they do have them.
If you or someone you know experiences headaches see your chiropractor. He or she is an expert in headache treatment and will be able to let you know what can be done to treat and help prevent them.
A common reason for people to seek treatment from their health care provider is low neck pain. Of the many treatment options that are available for this type of condition, I’m going to discuss one of the most painless and effective treatments used by chiropractors.
neck pain is generally caused by acute injuries such as whiplash or long term strain on the neck and upper back through bad posture or poor ergonomics. No matter what the cause, the pain is often due to problems in the joints of the spine. When we are injured or put a lot of strain on the neck, our body tries to protect it by tightening all the muscles around the area. This is helpful but can also cause problems since it doesn’t allow for proper movement of the joints. Our joints are made to move and are most healthy when they are moving properly.
One of the ways in which we treat improper or decreased movement in the joints of the body is through mobilization or manipulation. As chiropractors we call this type of treatment an adjustment. First we do an evaluation of the muscles and joints in the area to determine which joints are involved. Once we know where the problem is we perform an adjustment to mobilize the affected joints. This helps to decrease pain, increase movement in the joints, and relax the surrounding musculature.
There are many ways to perform an adjustment. For the neck it is performed with the patient either lying face up or sitting but can be performed other ways as well. The position in which the patient can best relax is most beneficial. The doctor places the patient in certain position and then applies pressure to increase the movement in the affected joints. The patient will often feel a “pop” in the joint being treated but this sound is not necessary for the adjustment to be effective. Adjustments are usually not painful. In fact most people report a sense of relief after an adjustment.
Chiropractic adjustments, along with exercises to stretch and strengthen the surrounding muscles, are very effective for treating neck and upper back pain. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, I encourage you to consider seeing a chiropractor for treatment.
One of the most common reasons that people seek treatment from their health care provider is low back pain. Of the many treatment options that are available for this type of condition, I’m going to discuss one of the most painless effective treatments used by chiropractors.
Low back pain is generally caused by acute injuries such as improper lifting and bending or long term strain on the back through bad posture or poor ergonomics. No matter what the cause, the pain is often due to problems in the joints of the spine and pelvis. When we are injured are put a lot of strain on the back our body tries to protect it by tightening all the muscles around the area. This is helpful but can also cause problems since it doesn’t allow for proper movement of the joints. Our joints are made to move and are most healthy when they are moving properly.
One of the ways in which we treat improper or decreased movement in the joints of the body is through mobilization or manipulation. As chiropractors we call this type of treatment an adjustment. First we do an evaluation of the muscles and joints in the area to determine which joints are involved. Once we know where the problem is we perform an adjustment to mobilize the affected joints. This helps to decrease pain, increase movement in the joints, and relax the surrounding musculature.
There are many ways to perform an adjustment. In the low back it is usually performed with the patient either lying face down or lying on his or her side but can be performed other ways as well. A position in which the patient can relax is most beneficial. The doctor places the patient in certain position and then applies pressure to increase the movement in the affected joints. The patient will often feel a “pop” in the joint being treated but this sound is not necessary for the adjustment to be effective. This treatment is usually not painful. In fact most people report a sense of relief after an adjustment.
Chiropractic adjustments, along with exercises to stretch and strengthen the surrounding muscles, are very effective for treating low back pain. If you or someone you know is experiencing low back pain, I encourage you to consider seeing a chiropractor for treatment.
Low back pain is common problem suffered by a high percentage of people. In fact most people will experience it to some degree at some time in their life. Of the many options available, I’m going to discuss some of the most contemporary methods of treatment. These techniques not only help reduce pain and promote healing but they can also help prevent future pain and injury.
Pain in the lower back is often due to problems with the joints of the spine and the surrounding soft tissues: muscles, tendons, and ligaments. One of the ways in which we treat soft tissue injury is with soft tissue mobilization. This simply means applying manual treatment to the soft tissues. One common type of treatment which is a movement based massage technique, is called Active Release. With this treatment the provider assesses the tone and texture of the soft tissues then applies tension to the affected area while the patient performs a specific movement. This is especially beneficial for chronic conditions where the buildup of scar tissue causes muscles to become shortened and tight. This tightness can put increased tension on the tendons and ligaments leading to pain and weakness. Active Release Technique helps to break up the scar tissue and lengthen tight muscles reducing the pain and tension.
There are also other techniques which are known as instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization. One of the most leading ones is called Graston. In this technique the provider lightly massages the affected area with a stainless steel instrument. The instrument allows the provider to feel where there is buildup of scar tissue in order to be more specific with the treatment. This technique helps to break up any scar tissue and facial adhesions that may be present due to injury and helps promote proper healing. Graston has been proven very effective in achieving faster healing times in both acute and chronic injuries.
A common finding in people with low back pain is muscle imbalance and weakness. This weakness can be caused by injury or by inactivity. When muscles are tighter and weaker than they should be, the mechanics of motion are changed. When this occurs we can become injured even when performing our everyday activities. By performing a functional exam using guidelines prescribed by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, we can determine if any muscle weakness or imbalance exists and identify the specific muscles involved. This exam consists of having the patient perform specific movements that are common to many of our normal activities. Watching for abnormal movement patterns allows us to see which muscles aren’t functioning properly. We can then prescribe a program of corrective exercise to correct the problem. The program generally consists of stretches to relax and lengthen the tight muscles and resistance exercises to strengthen weak muscles. Following the prescribed exercise program helps to promote healing of the injury and also prevent future injuries.
No matter what the nature of your pain is, these techniques can help. They have been used successfully in treating everyone from the average to person to the elite athlete. With so many great options available no one needs to live with low back.
One of the great things about being a chiropractor is the opportunity I have to help people. Chiropractic consists not only in relieving the aches and pains people have but also finding the cause of these symptoms. In this way we are able to help people in ways they may not have expected. As chiropractors we often see people who have had the same reoccurring problems for a long time. Often the cause of their symptoms in one area of the body is related to a problem in a different area and if the cause can be corrected then the pain won’t come back.
One population I enjoy working with is athletes. Over the past few years I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of athletes from semipro football players to recreational runners. One of these runners was a women in her late 20’s that had always enjoyed running for exercise but had not been able to for some time due to pain in her knee. When the pain first began she sought treatment and was told she had iliotibial band syndrome which is inflammation of the tendon that crosses the outside of the knee. This is a common problem in runners. After receiving treatment for this problem and feeling much better she began to run again only to have the same symptoms return. She became frustrated since running was her favorite way to exercise and decided to seek a different kind of treatment. A friend told her that a chiropractor might be able to help. She was skeptical at first since she thought that chiropractors only treated back problems, but she was willing to try anything that might help.
When she came to see me she had nearly given up on running and decided that she would just have to do other things for exercise. I assured her that I would do everything I could to get her back running again. After doing an examination I discovered that along with the iliotibial band syndrome that was previously diagnosed, she also had a lack of proper motion in one of her sacroiliac joints, the joint between the pelvis and tailbone, and also in some of the joints of her spine. The examination also revealed weakness in some of her Gluteal muscles, particularly on the side of her knee pain.
I told her that these problems were likely contributing to and possibly causing the knee problem. The lack of motion in those joints and the weak muscles were changing the mechanics of her running stride and putting more strain than normal on her knee. If we could correct these problems it would likely keep the knee problem from reoccurring. She followed the stretching and exercise program I prescribed her along with the treatment I provided. After a few weeks she was able to gradually start running again and was eventually able to run as often as she had before the injury.
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.
Headaches are a common problem in pregnancy. They can be brought on for several different reasons. They can be due to hunger, a drop in blood sugar, food allergies, or fatigue. Sometimes stress of the mind or stress on the body can cause them as well, and sometimes it may be dysfunction of the neck and spine that trigger the headaches.
Determining the cause is always the first step in treating headaches. It’s simple to treat headaches that are caused by hunger, dehydration, or being tired, but it starts to become more difficult when stress plays a part in the headaches. Stress tends to cause muscles to become tight and joints to become stiff, leading to dysfunction typically in the neck and shoulders. These muscles and associated nerves are attached with those in the head and the problem eventually creeps up the spine and results in headaches.
Finding ways to reduce pain from headaches in pregnancy is usually very concerning to mothers. The pain may be unbearable at times, however many are not willing to take medication and risk the safety of their baby. Even if they do decide to take a medication, it is only temporarily removing the pain and does nothing to correct the problem. Inevitably the headache will return and in the long run the baby may be exposed to several doses of medications.
Chiropractic has always been a safe and effective way to treat headaches in pregnancy, and all people. It is an excellent option especially in pregnancy because of the very low risk for side effects. The least amount of medication the mother uses, the safer they baby is. When the root of the problem is addressed, healing can begin and medication will no longer be necessary.
Typically chiropractors will use some sort of soft tissue modality such as massage, heat, or stretching to loosen the tight muscles where the stress is held. Manipulation should be performed following the muscle work to loosen stiff joints and remove nerve interference, which may directly cause a headache. The adjustments should not hurt, and typically afterwards the intensity of the headache will begin to decrease and eventually be eliminated. With most patients, it takes multiple treatments to eliminate the headaches completely. The treatment must train the muscles to relax and the joints to move properly and remove any irritation of the nervous system. Length of treatment plans vary upon condition, how long the patient has had the condition, and the lifestyle of the patient.
If you are experiencing headaches and would like to take a conservative approach for treatment contact your chiropractor. Keeping the body free of medications is safer for both the mother and the baby. Chiropractic focuses on correcting the dysfunction to effectively eliminate the pain and prevent reoccurrences. Stay updated with our postings to learn about more ways that chiropractic and help you and your family.
