Headache and Whiplash
A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than a commonly prescribed medication.
A 1995 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal manipulative therapy is an effective treatment for tension headaches and that those who had chiropractic treatment for four weeks experienced a sustained therapeutic benefit in contrast with those patients who received a commonly prescribed medication.
Neck – Cervical
Your chiropractor may conduct physical and neurological examinations during your visit. In the physical exam, your doctor will observe your posture, range of motion, and physical condition, noting any movement that causes pain, and also check your shoulder area. Your doctor will feel your spine, note its curvature and alignment, and feel for muscle spasm. During the neurological exam, your doctor will test your reflexes, muscle strength, other nerve changes, and pain spread.
In some instances, your chiropractor might order tests to help diagnose your condition. An x-ray can show narrowed disc space, fractures, bone spurs, or arthritis. A computerized axial tomography scan (a CT or CAT scan) or a magnetic resonance imaging test (an MRI) can show bulging discs and herniations. If nerve damage is suspected, your chiropractor may order a special test called electromyography (an EMG) to measure how quickly your nerves respond.
Chiropractors are conservative care doctors; our scope of practice does not include the use of drugs or surgery. If your chiropractor diagnoses a condition outside of this conservative scope, such as a neck fracture or an indication of an organic disease, we will refer you to the appropriate medical physician or specialist. We may also ask for permission to inform your physician of the care you are receiving to ensure that your chiropractic care and any other care you receive are properly coordinated.
Neck Adjustments
A neck adjustment (also known as a cervical manipulation) is a precise procedure applied to the joints of the neck, usually by hand. A neck adjustment works to improve the mobility of the spine and to restore range of motion. It can also increase movement of the adjoining muscles. Patients typically notice an improved ability to turn and tilt their head, and a reduction of pain, soreness, and stiffness.
Your chiropractor will develop a program of care that may combine more than one type of treatment depending on your needs. In addition to manipulation, the treatment plan may include mobilization, massage or rehabilitative exercises, or another treatment…
Back Pain – Thoracic – Lumbar – Sacrum
Chiropractic spinal manipulation is a safe and effective spine pain treatment. It has been known to reduce pain, decrease the need for medication, rapidly advance physical therapy, and require very few passive forms of treatment, such as bed rest.
The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, a federal government organization whose mission is geared in part toward making health care safer and higher quality, reports that low back pain sufferers should choose the most conservative care first, and that spinal manipulation is the only safe, effective, and drugless form of initial professional treatment for acute low back problems in adults.
A patient information article published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association also suggested chiropractic care as an option for people suffering from low back pain. It also noted that surgery is usually not needed and should only be tried if other therapies fail.
Tips to Prevent Back Pain
- Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
- Remain active in the manner prescribed by your chiropractor.
- Warm up or stretch before exercising or engaging in other physical activities, such as gardening.
- Maintain proper posture.
- Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
- Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
- Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.
- Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
- Work with your chiropractor to ensure that your computer workstation is ergonomically correct.
Shoulder Joint and Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff is composed of four separate muscles: the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the teres minor, and the subscapularis. Most of the approximately 2 million people who seek care for rotator cuff injuries in the United States every year have injured the supraspinatus, but the involvement of at least one of the other muscles is more common than was previously thought
Many people, especially athletes, may be walking around with small rotator cuff tears without realizing it – a full tear usually requires surgery – because they’ve become so used to working or playing through the pain.
Elbow Joint
There are two main types of soft-tissue injuries: focal lesions and global lesions, according to Michael Schneider, DC, PhD, assistant professor in the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and postgraduate faculty member at several prominent chiropractic colleges. Focal lesions are localized to one tissue area. An example of a focal lesion is tennis elbow. “Tennis elbow consists of very discrete pain in a particular area—not the entire arm,” Dr. Schneider explains. There are three types of tissue affected by focal lesions: muscle, tendon, and fascia.
Wrist and Carpal Tunnel
CTS typically occurs in adults, with women 3 times more likely to develop it than men. The dominant hand is usually affected first, and the pain is typically severe. CTS is especially common in assembly-line workers in manufacturing, sewing, finishing, cleaning, meatpacking, and similar industries. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, according to recent research, people who perform data entry at a computer (up to 7 hours a day) are not at increased risk of developing CTS.
CTS is a problem of the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand. CTS occurs when the median nerve gets compressed in the carpal tunnel—a narrow tunnel at the wrist—made up of bones and soft tissues, such as nerves, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. The compression may result in pain, weakness, and/or numbness in the hand and wrist, which radiates up into the forearm. CTS is the most common of the “entrapment neuropathies”—compression or trauma of the body’s nerves in the hands or feet.
Chiropractic joint manipulation and mobilization of the wrist and hand, stretching and strengthening exercises, soft-tissue mobilization techniques, and even yoga can be helpful. Some medications can help with pain control and inflammation. Studies have also shown that vitamin B6 supplements may relieve CTS symptoms.
Hip
While you may experience pain or injury in a particular area, such as a knee or a hip, the root of the problem may lie somewhere else. Injuries of this nature are not regional, or isolated, but systemic. A problem in the foot or ankle can create an imbalance in every step, leading to discomfort or injury that moves to the knees, hips, low back, or elsewhere. Not only can your chiropractor diagnose and help treat your pain or injury, he or she can craft a customized wellness program that will help you in conducting your day-to-day activities.
Sciatica
Sciatica describes persistent pain felt along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back, down through the buttock, and into the lower legs. The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the body. It controls the muscles of the lower legs and provides sensation to the thighs, legs, and the soles of the feet.
Although sciatica is a relatively common form of low-back and leg pain, the true meaning of the term is often misunderstood. Sciatica is a set of symptoms—not a diagnosis for what is irritating the nerve root and causing the pain.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
The most common symptom associated with sciatica is pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, from the lower back and down one leg; however, symptoms can vary widely depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected. Some may experience a mild tingling, a dull ache, or even a burning sensation, typically on one side of the body.
Some patients also report:
- A pins-and-needles sensation, most often in the toes or foot.
- Numbness or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot.
Pain from sciatica often begins slowly, gradually intensifying over time. Pain can worsen after prolonged sitting, sneezing, coughing, bending, or sudden movements.
How is sciatica diagnosed?
Your chiropractor will begin by taking a complete patient history. You’ll be asked to describe your pain and to explain when the pain began, and what activities, if any, lessen or intensify the pain. Forming a diagnosis will also require a physical and neurological exam, in which the doctor will pay special attention to your spine and legs. You may be asked to perform some basic activities that will test your sensory and muscle strength, as well as your reflexes. For example, you may be asked to lie on an examination table and lift your legs straight in the air, one at a time.
In some cases, your chiropractor may recommend diagnostic imaging, such as an x-ray, MRI, or CT scan. Diagnostic imaging may be used to rule out a more serious condition, such as a tumor or infection, or when patients with severe symptoms fail to respond to conservative treatment.
What are my treatment options?
For most people, sciatica responds very well to conservative care, including chiropractic. Keeping in mind that sciatica is a symptom and not a stand-alone medical condition, treatment plans will often vary depending on the underlying cause of the problem.
Chiropractic offers a non-invasive (non-surgical), drug-free treatment option. The goal of chiropractic care is to restore spinal movement, thereby improving function while decreasing pain and inflammation. Depending on the cause of the sciatica, a chiropractic treatment plan may cover several different treatment methods, including but not limited, to spinal adjustments, ice/heat therapy, ultrasound, TENS, and rehabilitative exercises.
While it’s not always possible to prevent sciatica, consider these suggestions to help protect your back and improve your spinal health:
- Maintain a healthy diet and weight
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain proper posture
- Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest
- If you smoke, seek help to quit
- Use good body mechanics when lifting
Shin Splints
Shin splints are caused by microfractures on the front surface of the tibia (shin bone). This is most often seen in runners, although other athletes can also be affected.
Ankle Sprain/Strains
Ankle sprains are one of the most common ankle injuries. In fact, “in the United States alone, 23,000 people sprain their ankles each day.”
Athletes in particular are susceptible to ankle sprains. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine looked at 43 different sports and found that the ankle sprain was the most frequent injury in 33 of those sports.
What is an ankle sprain?
Sprains occur when a ligament is stretched or torn. 85% of all ankle sprains involve ligaments of the lateral ankle., according to John Stites, DC, DACBR, FACO, director of community clinics at Palmer College of Chiropractic. The injury often happens when you make a quick movement with a planted foot—your ankle rolls one direction while your foot turns in the opposite direction.
Sprains can range from mild to severe depending on the damage to the ligaments and how many ligaments are involved. A mild, or Grade 1, sprain occurs when the ligaments are stretched and some of the ligaments’ fibers are damaged. The ankle will be tender and swollen, but it can typically bear weight causing only mild pain. A moderate, or Grade 2, sprain involves some ligamentous tearing and will cause notable swelling and bruising. A severe, or Grade 3, sprain, consists of a complete ligament tear and generally requires a surgical consult. A Grade 3 sprain will also show signs of instability, bruising and will not be able to bear any weight.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis, also called “heel pain syndrome,” affects approximately 2 million people in the United States each year. Plantar fasciitis can come on gradually as the result of a degenerative process or sudden foot trauma. It can appear in one heel or both. It is generally worse on taking the first few steps in the morning or after prolonged sitting or non-weight-bearing movement. Symptoms can be aggravated by activity and prolonged weight bearing. Obesity can also cause plantar pain, or it can make that pain worse.
The plantar fascia connects the calcaneal tubercle to the forefoot with five slips directed to each toe, respectively. Other conditions, such as calcaneal fat pad atrophy, calcaneal stress fracture, nerve entrapment, and rheumatoid arthritis may also cause foot pain. These conditions may be found in combination with plantar fasciitis or separate from it. A blood test can help pinpoint the cause(s).
Improper footwear can bring about plantar fasciitis by allowing excessive pronation or under-pronation, as well as impaired shock absorption. Pronation is part of a normal gait. The ankle rolls slightly inward after heel strike. Then, the ankle rolls outward as you toe-off from that step. Your foot overpronates, however, when it rolls too far inward, and that can stress the foot’s soft tissues.
Compensation is a problem with plantar fasciitis. We are “compensating” when we get into the habit of moving the body in a new way to avoid pain. It’s possible to bring about plantar fasciitis as a result of compensating for conditions such as chronic Achilles tendinosis, calf strains, and tibialis posterior dysfunction. Alternatively, persistent pain from plantar fasciitis itself may get you to shift your weight to the outside of the affected foot, or you may try to land on the toes. Any of these pain-avoiding strategies throw the body out of alignment and can lead to stressed joints and new pain in other parts of the body. Symptoms may increase to the point where you are no longer able to bear weight on the affected foot.
References: acatoday.org
Time to recognize value of chiropractic care? Science and patient satisfaction surveys cite usefulness of spinal manipulation. Orthopedics Today 2003 Feb; 23(2):14-15.
Bigos S, Bowyer O, Braen G, et al. Acute Low Back Problems in Adults. Clinical Practice Guideline No.14. AHCPR Publication No. 95-0642. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, December, 1994.
Goodman D, Burke A, Livingston E. Low Back Pain. JAMA. 2013; 309(16):1738.
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