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Neck Pain
 | Given the complex mechanics, structure and function of the neck, it's no wonder neck pain is so common. The seven cervical vertebrae are linked to one another by discs, ligaments and tendons that allow for remarkable flexibity. The normal shape of the neck is a gentle curve, rather than straight, to allow for better support and balance of the head. All communications from the brain to other parts of the body pass through the neck. |
Many neck problems, while not life threatening, can damage your health if left uncorrected. Damage may come suddenly, such as from a fall or car accident, or slowly, through poor posture, emotianal stress, or improper workspace ergonomics. Besides neck pain, neck problems can also lead to headaches, vision distrubances, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and nasal/tongue/throat problems. Injury, irritation, inflammation, or infections are all causes of neck pain.
Learning what causes your neck pain can prevent discomfort. Recurring problems are a signal that something more serious may be wrong. Muscle relaxers, painkillers, cortisone injections and sometimes surgery are the standard medical treatments for neck pain. The chiropractic approach is to find the source of the neck pain and correct it so that the body can heal naturally. Neck pain often responds dramatically to the restoration of normal spinal function through chiropractic care.
Headaches
| At one time or another we've all experienced painful aches in our head. Just because headaches are common, that does not mean they are normal. Recurring headaches are a sign of something being wrong. If there were only one cause for headaches, treatment would be a lot easier. Headaches, however, come in many different types and from a variety of causes. There is not one simple answer. They can be triggered by physical and emotional stress, toxins, food sensitivities, hormonal changes, preservatives, changes in sleep patterns, or blood pressure. Another very common cause of headaches is joint dysfunction in the spinal joints lose their normal position and motion, nerves and blood vessels in the neck that go to the head can be compromised.
While pain-relievers may temporarily ease the discomfort, they also cover up the symptoms and do not correct the source of the problem. While the problem remains, the headaches will keep returning. | |
Doctors of Chiropractic are highly experienced in finding the causes behind headaches as well as relieving the immediate pain. They help determine if a physical or structural problem may be involved, and, if so, help to correct it. A series of spinal adjustments coupled with muscle stretching and deep tissue work can relieve pressure on irritated nerves. Chiropractors also help identify headache triggers, suggest relaxation exercises, and aid in lifestyle modifications to help avoid future headaches.
Lower Back Pain
 | The causes of lower back pain are varied: poor muscle tome in the back, obesity, pregnancy, sprains/strains, vertebral joint dysfunction, disc degeneration (arthritis) and bulging/herniated/ruptured discs. Since the nerves in your lower back also travel down the buttocks and legs, lower back problems can be very debilitating. At higher risk are people in poor physical condition, and those with jobs that include heavy lifting or long periods os sitting or standing. Emotional stress or long periods of inactivity may intensify or trigger recurrence of a previous episode of lower back pain. |
The chiropractic approach to lower back pain is to find the source of the problem and correct it, not just treat the symptoms, as the standard medical approach of muscle relaxants and pain relievers will do. Lower back pain often responds dramatically to the restoration of normal spinal position and motion through chiropractic care. The chiropractor's primary tool is the spinal adjustment. By applying precisely directed force to a joint that is out of position or not moving properly it is gradually restored to a more normal position and function. Chiropractors also suggest work/lifestyle modifications to avoid future lower back pain, and prescribe exercises to stabilize the back so that the pain does not recur.
Sciatica/Leg Pain
| The sciatic nerve is a large nerve (about the size of your index finger) that comes out of the lower back, runs through the buttocks and continues traveling down the back of the thigh and outside of the shin to the foot. Sciatica is the compression, irritation or inflammation of this nerve anywhere along its track. People with sciatica often suffer from a wide range of symptoms. At times, the pain may be constant, but it can also come and go. Some people feel only a dull ache or numbness and others have intense shooting pains. For some, it goes only in the buttocks and others feel it all the way down to the toes. Sitting for prolonged periods of time usually increases the pain. Even simple acrivities like walking, bending or standing up may be difficult and painful. The pain may be in one or both legs. Sometime, back pain may occur before the sciatica itself or it may accompany it. |  |
Commonly, a misalignment of one or more lumbar vertbrae or of the sacrum (tailbone) and pelvis is the cause. Other sources are disc displacements, degeneration/arthritis, pregnancy, and consitpation. The standard medical approach is the use of pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxers. Nerve root injections may also be used. Chiropractors, on the other hand, find the source of the problem and work to correct it. With most patients, a series of spinal adjustments coupled with muscle stretching and deep tissue work will reduce the pressure on the nerve. Doctors of chiropractic also work to strengthen and stabilize the surrounding musculature to help the problem from recurring.
TMJ Dysfunction
 | The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where the jaw bone connects to the skull. Ligaments, cartilage, fascia, muscles, nerves and blood vessels run through and around this important joint. TMJ dysfunction occurs when the joint is misaligned or malfunctioning. Among the most common symptoms are the inability to open the mouth wide, clicking or popping in the jaw, headaches, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and shoulder/cheek/jaw/neck pain. Causes of TMJ dysfunction include bruxism (grinding of the teeth, especially at night), improperly fitting dental work/appliances, and trauma (such as from a sporting or motor vehicle accidents). |
Standard medical/dental approaches include muscle relaxants, pain relievers, oral appliances to control grinding of the teeth and using softer diets. Chiropractic care works to restore normal joint motion and muscle tone in the TMJ and associated areas, including the neck, to aid proper alignment. Chiropractors also work with dentists to offer patients the best of both arenas of treatment.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a painful nerve problem that interferes with the use of your hand. It occurs when there is pressure on the nerve that runs through your wrist to your fingers. Common symptoms are numbness, tingling or burning in the hand, as well as grip weakness. It is caused by repetitive hand movements which cause inflamed tendons, misaligned wrist joints and fluid retention in the wrist. |  |
Many people think that any hand pain is carpal tunnel syndrome. The nerves in your hand originate in the neck and run all the way down the arm. Impingement anywhere along these nerves can cause hand pain. In fact, there are 37 different sites in the arm where impingement can occur, so not all hand pain is CTS. Doctors of chiropractic work to determine the site of the nerve impingment and correct it. Adjustments to the neck, elbows and wrists, as well as related treatments, are used to restore proper nerve function. Chiropractors also recommend splints, bracing and exercises to correct the cause of the problem.
Nerve Chart.
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