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.
Asthma
Many who suffer from asthma find improvement through chiropractic care. There may be a link between the spinal column, the nervous system and the respiratory system. This may be why many have mentioned improved breathing by utilizing chiropractic treatment.
Your diaphragm is the primary muscle used for breathing. Nerves that control each breath leave your brain and exit the spinal cord in the mid-neck area. Spinal problems can have a large impact on the nerve supply to the diaphragm. Reducing vertebral subluxation complexes in the spine may help restore proper nervous system control of the lungs and improved function can begin.
Chiropractic care may help reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. Naturally, we can’t make any promises—however, if you have subluxations, and they are the cause of your symptoms, many have found relief with conservative chiropractic care.
Balance & Dizziness
Two common issues dealt with by chiropractic patients are balance and dizziness. Balance and dizziness problems are often connected with subluxations, which appear when a vertebrae becomes misaligned or moves out of its normal position. Subluxations can be caused by a wide range of issues ranging from a minor slip or bump, to a car accident, or any sudden trauma. It can even be created following any neurological issues or musculoskeletal problems.
When a vertebrae is subluxated, it begins to put pressure on nerves, blood vessels and everything around it. This pressure comes with a price. The subluxation interrupts the natural pathways that the messages sent from the brain need to be clear in order to be completed properly. Therefore, it can then cause severe balance and dizziness dysfunction, but it can be corrected effectively through chiropractic care.
As time goes by and a subluxation remains untreated, the spine and surrounding features such as discs begin to degenerate. This degeneration becomes more difficult to reverse as time goes by as the surrounding muscles, nerves and bones begin to adjust to the new shape. The longer this goes on, the more permanent these changes become. Allowing a chiropractor to get you back on track will bring your body back to its proper state and allow it to perform at its peak.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This condition of the wrist, that 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.
Degenerative Disc Disease/Disc Problems
Degenerative disc disease is not as much a disease as it is a name for the changes that can happen to the spine as we age. Our discs are made of a tough, rubbery exterior and a soft interior. They sit between the vertebrae to act as shock absorbers. As we age, the spinal discs begin to degenerate. This can cause herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal stenosis, and osteoarthritis.
The degeneration of spinal discs does not always cause symptoms to appear. However when they do, the severity of symptoms may vary with each individual. Pain may occur at the site of the affected disc in the back or neck. As the pain is often caused by compressed nerves, this pain can also travel to other areas of the body like the hips buttocks, or down arms, and down the legs. Numbness and tingling may also be experienced. Pain can range from mild to severe and debilitating.
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. Tares in the tougher outer layer of the disc are common signs of this aging. As this occurs, the discs begin to lose fluid and thin out. Compared to other discs they become smaller and less flexible. Obesity, smoking, repeated physical work and motion, will also contribute to the degeneration to intervertebral discs.
Pain caused by degeneration is often treated with hot or cold packs and an anti inflammatory medication. When disc degeneration causes problems like herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, or osteoarthritis, other forms of treatment may be beneficial. This may include physical therapy, stretching, and in some cases, surgery. While degenerative disc disease is a natural part of aging, there are things you can do to prevent pain and stay healthy. If you are experiencing frequent back or neck pain, be sure to visit our office for an examination so we can create a treatment plan for you.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition in which pain is set off within in the body for an unknown reason. Environmental factors such as air pressure, emotional factors such as anxiety or stress, or physical injury have all been thought to be a root cause of fibromyalgia. The main symptoms being 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 definitive cure for fibromyalgia, chiropractic treatment can help to calm the symptoms when active to provide relief for the pain. 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.
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.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a well-known symptom for serious health conditions like coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke. It occurs when the flow of blood through your arteries applies pressure to the artery walls. When a misalignment occurs at the top of the neck, near the level of the brain stem, brain-to-body communication is affected and may result in high blood pressure. Because it is often symptom free, up to one third of patients are unaware of it.
Everything in your body, including your blood vessels, is controlled by your nervous system. A large level of stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, and spinal misalignment negatively affect your nerves. Constriction of the blood vessels is caused by the nerves directly and causes blood pressure to increase. Many medications block this nerve input and artificially bypass this essential regulatory process. Chiropractic care looks to naturally improve neurological input and provide simple, sustainable lifestyle programs that will naturally lower one’s blood pressure without medication.
Immune Function
The status of chiropractic health affects immune function within the human body. Long-term chiropractic care provides benefits to recipients.
Subluxations can negatively affect the body's immune response by interfering with the communication link between the nervous system and the immune system. The nervous system is in direct control of the body's immune system and that interfering with it in any way can adversely affect how it functions. Any malfunction of the body, especially a malfunction of the immune system, will cause the body to become unhealthy. Chiropractic adjustments correct spinal subluxations and help restore this communication link.
With the immune system under direct control of the nervous system, chiropractic treatment is important to a healthy and fully functioning immune system. It has been found that people under chiropractic care have stronger immune systems than those who are not. Everyone who wants a properly functioning immune system should have their spines checked on a regular basis.
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.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a nervous system disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. It can range from being harmless to somewhat disabling to devastating, as the material that surrounds and protects your nerve cells is damaged and communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. This damage slows down or blocks messages between your brain and your body, leading to the symptoms of MS.
Many believe MS to be an autoimmune disease—one in which the body launches a defensive attack against its own tissues through the immune system. By treating MS patients' subluxations with chiropractic adjustments, especially those focused on the upper cervical area, research has shown that the symptoms often improve. Ultimately, by treating the underlying spinal dysfunction, this results in a higher quality of life for the person afflicted with this condition.
Neck/Back Pain
Pain along the spinal column in your neck or back is usually caused by subluxations, or misalignments of your vertebrae. A small misalignment can cause pain by causing pressure on nerves. Left untreated, these subluxations can cause muscle spasms and increasing pain. Chiropractic adjustments properly align your spine so that pressure on joints and nerves is released. It is a direct treatment for the cause of the pain, not a temporary relief like pain relievers or massage. If you are experiencing back or neck pain visit us today.
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.
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 mechanical 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.
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.
Scoliosis
The issue of scoliosis involves a disrupted curvature of the spine. This can lead to discomfort and back pain in some of our everyday activities such as standing, sitting and walking. In order to determine if one has scoliosis that would need to be evaluated by a specialist and X-rays would need to be taken. Some of us are born with this and others develop it through poor posture and spinal habits.
If you suffer from scoliosis, it is highly recommended to visit a chiropractor. Conservative care and stretch can help reduce the degree of the curvature and in many cases surgery can be avoided. 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.
Shoulder Pain
Chiropractic care can be extremely beneficial to pain associated with the shoulders and extremities. When it comes to shoulder pain treatment, we offer a range of healing options.
Some of the most common types of shoulder pain include:
- Dislocated Shoulder
- Frozen Shoulder
- Shoulder Bursae
- Rotator Cuff Injury
- Strains & Sprains
- Tendinitis
Frozen shoulder especially is a painful condition that can be debilitating and disabling to many patients. Ordinary activities like putting on a shirt or even brushing your hair can be an ordeal. Without proper treatment and intervention, frozen shoulder pain can persist for years. The majority of frozen shoulder cases, as well as shoulder pain in general, are related to an irritation of the nerves in the upper back (thoracic spine) and/or lower neck. When shoulder pain originates in the back and spinal area, chiropractic care can be highly effective for shoulder pain relief.
No matter what your specific shoulder issue, your chiropractor will begin with a targeted diagnosis and determination of where the source of the irritation begins. Shoulder pain is usually due to an irritation of the nerves, tendons, muscles, ligaments or capsule area. In some cases, the problem is located on the cervical spine or near the acromioclavicular joint. These areas will all be carefully examined to ensure an accurate diagnosis. The triceps muscle located in the upper arm may also be involved, as well as the subscapularis muscle underneath the shoulder blade. Once a diagnosis of the precise physical cause is made, treatment for shoulder pain can begin. While relief will begin after the first adjustment, a series of chiropractic adjustments may be required to help your shoulder pain issue to resolve completely.
If you are having issues with shoulder pain, contact us today. We can assist you with a range of shoulder pain treatment types depending upon your specific condition.
Stress Reduction
For most individuals, stress and strain is experienced within the weakest areas of our bodies. To some, it's an upset stomach. For others, it could be persisting headaches, back pain, or muscle stiffness. For yet others, they endure nervous twitches, allergic reactions, or sensitivities to chemicals. Regardless of the specific response, the function of your nervous system is involved. This is where chiropractic care can become helpful.
The chiropractic approach to stress is to help normalize the function of your nervous system by removing interferences caused by subluxations. Mental stress tends to leads to muscular stress, and tension most likely causes pain. By determining the root of the issue, we can provide immediate relief and help restore better function to your spine to make a large difference in your response to stress.
It may not be possible to remove the stress from a busy life. However, with the help of chiropractic care, you can respond better to the unique challenges you face. Today, the stress of careers, deadlines, conflicts, and the demands on our time and money take a huge toll on our health. Like a relaxing vacation, chiropractic care can help give your nervous system a greater capacity to adapt to stress. Chiropractic adjustments help to reduce tension of the nervous system, improving your ability to tolerate and adapt to the stresses of modern life.
Whiplash
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.
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.
(1)Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15965403?dopt=A...