Archive for May, 2009
How Proper Posture Can Relieve Neck Pain and Headaches According to Chiropractors
Our pillow, bed, or sleep position is not always responsible for our stiff and painful neck when we get up in the morning. We also attempt to figure out what is happening when we move our neck suddenly and feel a sharp pain that feels as if something has suddenly slipped out of position or is pinching a “nerve.” It is important to understand that most neck problems are seldom caused by a single incident, but usually by the cumulative effects of unsuitable sitting posture, poor work and living habits, lack of suitable exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Of course, some neck problems are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.
To understand neck pain, it is necessary to be aware of the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is piloted by neck vertebrae that are composed of posterior joints, called facets, that attach vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are made of a form of strong cartilage that surrounds a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. In a canal positioned between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. Spinal nerves exit the spine between the vertebrae and supply energy to muscles and organs of the body. Additionally, they carry sensory impulses, including pain information, from the body to the brain. The nerves that exit from the neck are in charge of the entire upper extremity including the shoulder, elbow and hand, as well as structures of the head and neck. The natural forward curve of the neck balances the weight of the head and decreases stress on neck vertebrae. For more information please feel free to visit your Chiropractor.
Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use
More and more people are now employed to sit at a desk in front of a computer. The use of computers has risen dramatically, and many individuals spend eight to ten hours a day slumped over the keyboard and staring at the monitor. When we sit with our head in a forward bent position-the posture that most desk workers adopt-the ligaments that hold the facets together and the muscles in the neck are put under tremendous strain. Furthermore, the normal forward curve of the neck may become reversed and create more stress on the surrounding tissue of the neck. All of this can lead to spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the primary causes of spinal nerve irritation. In addition to general pain, spinal nerve irritation in the neck can generate symptoms including headaches, eye problems, giddiness, arm and hand pain (and paraesthesia), as well as shoulder pain.
Headaches and Chiropractic Care
Headaches or migraines are frequently associated with disorders of the cervical spine. When the cervical vertebrae lose their essential position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels that are connected with structures in the head are stretched or agitated thus creating symptoms from a dull ache to throbbing pain. In many instances the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, called trigger points, can also refer pain to the head. Many other factors are related to headaches such as toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Nevertheless one must always look at the tissues and alignment of the neck when contemplating the basis for headaches and migraines. Chiropractic manipulation and management have proved to be very effective in the treatment of headaches. Ask your Chiropractor about the benefits of Chiropractic care.
Whiplash and Chiropractic Care
Unfortunately, many people are involved in car accidents. Rear-end collisions are the most common. During such an accident, the passenger in the front automobile gets his or her head forcefully jerked backward and then forward causing injury to the structures of the back and front of the neck. This kind of injury is often called a whiplash. Even at low speeds, the amount of force generated by such an accident is very intense and can cause damage to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs, and spinal nerves. Whiplash injury includes neck pain and immobility, and other symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vertigo, arm and should pain, tingling in the hands and fingers, and weakness of the arms and hand. Immediate evaluation and x-rays are crucial in order to rule out a fracture. Usually in many cases, the injuries are primarily to the soft tissues and joints. Proper care is essential in rehabilitation from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Chiropractor is extremely knowledgeable in the area of whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from start to finish.
Pregnancy and Chiropractic Treatment
Are chiropractic adjustments safe during pregnancy To begin with, yes it is a wise decision to get adjusted while you are pregnant. As is obvious to anyone with a set of eyes, your body is going through a variety of changes, and these changes will continue as the pregnancy progresses. One change that goes basically unnoticed is your body’s increased production of the hormone elastin. This hormone is designed to relax the tendons in the pelvis. This relaxation allows the pelvis more flexibility during the birthing process to make delivering the baby easier.
This process, although designed to help the mother during labor, can create a lot of back pain in the months leading up to the birth. The elastin is being released in greater amounts as the months go on, which allows the pelvis to become increasingly more unstable. Add to that the gradual increase in the size of the baby and uterus, and you have the recipe for severe low back pain. As an Oxnard Chiropractor I see many pregnant women in my practice in my clinic for a variety of symptoms, but as a rule it is for their low back pain.
A bonus to seeing a chiropractor routinely during your pregnancy is that it has been shown to actually decrease labor time. Why is that you ask? Simply put, if the pelvis is where it needs to be, the muscles contracting during the labor process are more efficient because they don’t have to fight past misaligned joints.
To answer the second question from the introductory paragraph, most assuredly chiropractic care during your pregnancy is safe. Chiropractic is not only safe and beneficial in relieving the low back pain associated with pregnancy, but other symptoms like heartburn, nausea, swelling, and so on. Certain trained chiropractors can also help mothers who have a breached baby. This is done by using the Webster Technique, a low force technique to manipulate the uterus and get the baby into the proper presentation for delivery. A simple Google search on the Webster Technique can give you much more information.
In summation, not only is chiropractic safe for pregnant women, it is also very beneficial in helping with the symptoms associated with their pregnancy. To any pregnant women out there reading this, please go to see your local chiropractor, or if you live or work in the area, look up your Oxnard Chiropractor. We can make you feel a lot more comfortable during your pregnancy, and we can even make the labor process easier.
Can Proper Posture Help With Knee Pain Elimination? Ask a Chiropractor
Along with spinal problems, knee pain and disability is one of the most frequent ailments of the musculoskeletal system. Insufficient mechanics of the knee, as well as faulty foot mechanics as compensation for foot pain often produce painful knee complaints. Additional causes most often include overuse of the knee joint, ailments as the result of arthritic changes in the joint, and traumatic injury from sports and falls.
Non-trauma knee problems: The most prevailing cause of non-traumatic pain is poor mechanics of the knee joint and the corresponding stress on the soft tissues of the knee. The patella or knee-cap is normally the area affected because frequently the patella does not move adequately on the femur during bending of the knee causing unusual stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This specific condition is often called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). This problem is due to imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that connect to and move the patella. Lower back problems, especially in the sacroiliac joints, are one of the foremost reasons for imbalances in the muscles associated with knee movement, and resultant knee problems. Pain and dysfunction can also be caused by imbalances in the muscle groups that attach to the knee. For example, the muscles on the inside of the thigh, when strained and tight, can cause pain on the medial or inside of the knee. Insufficient foot mechanics that produce gait abnormalities such as pronation, are one more cause of mechanical knee pain.
The correspondent pain from overuse is most generally noticeable during activity, especially stair climbing, running, jumping, and following standing after prolonged sitting. Many women are likely to be predisposed to painful overuse ailments for anatomical reasons, although such conditions are often related to wearing high heels on a regular basis.
The main treatment for mechanical or overuse injuries to the knee is to re-establish proper balance of the muscles, restore proper movement to the patella and other joints of the knee, and to correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and bones of the foot. In specific cases, a brace is used to help with the alignment of the patella or to secure the joint. Chiropractors, such as your chiropractor, are highly experienced in administering the correct diagnosis and care of these problems.
Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries commonly happen during activities that involve running and jumping, particularly. When the knee is pulled or twisted beyond the capability of the ligaments that hold the joint together, tearing of these tissues can occur creating a sprain. The muscles that give motion to the knee can also be torn during injury causing a strain or pull of the muscle. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can range from a mild injury that needs little treatment to a extreme injury needing surgery. The knee also is comprised of two special “cartilages” – the menisci – between the tibia and the femur that provide for smooth motion and cushioning. These cartilages can also be torn during trauma, and often necessitate surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.
Traumatic knee injuries can cause severe pain and swelling and require urgent examination and treatment. In most instances a competent chiropractor, such as your Chiropractor, can treat these problems, but there are some injuries that require the dexterity of an orthopedic surgeon. Nevertheless, it is crucial to stabilize the injured joint immediately and to use ice on the hurt area, if possible, until the injury can be evaluated.
If poor mechanics, overuse problems, or traumatic injuries are not fixed at an early stage, the tissues of the knee joint, expressly the cartilage, will begin to wear out sooner or later. If tissue and cartilage erode, the bones will rub together unprotected and changes such as bone spurs can take place. This painful affliction, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, often increases with age. Common treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Nevertheless, there are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that produce excellent results such as rosemary, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, bioflavinoids, curcumin. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely helpful in alleviating the pain. Your San Jose chiropractor is will gladly discuss anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, people can frequently aid themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.
Chiropractic and the Health of Your Child
Today’s moms and dads are more disturbed than ever about the detrimental effects pharmaceuticals have on their children. Moms and dads are increasingly asking, when handed a prescription for a child’s recurrent problem, “Is this really all I can do for my child? Isn’t there a safer alternative?”
Many children’s prescription and non-prescription drugs often not only mask a child’s symptoms, but can generate serious side effects. Their intent to maintain a state of true health for their children has encouraged parents to find health care alternatives that support their child’s own inherent ability to be healthy.
Chiropractic care is that option because it aids a child’s nervous system in functioning optimally. When the nervous system is optimally functioning, the immune system, which is directed by the nervous system, is able to do what it’s intended to do, which is keep your child healthy. As the adage goes, “the best offense is a good defense.” Everyday, children are exposed to massive amounts of airborn, food-born, and contact bacteria. So many bacteria, in fact, that it would be impossible to immunize them against them all. Your Chiropractor well-informed and has years of expertise when it comes to colds, sore throats, ear infections, fevers, colic, asthma, tonsillitis, allergies, bed-wetting, infections, pains, falls, stomach-aches, and the hundred and one little (and big) things children go through as they grow up.
One of the functions of a chiroractor is to keep your child healthy and strong so that the complaints that seem to be an unavoidable part of childhood, either won’t affect your child as fiercely or will not affect them at all. The objective of chiropractic manipulation is to eliminate interferences to the inherent healing power running through the body. When that power is freed, the changes that take place many times appear to be profound.
Furthermore, when a child’s spine is in alignment, he or she is far less vulnerable to sports and play injuries. In addition, children who receive regular chiropactic care more often than not don’t experience as many “growing pains” as other children.
Each day at your Camarillo Chiropractor we are happy to see that more and more parents are bringing their children to our clinic to address the questions and concerns they have regarding their children’s health. Every child is have the right to express their entire potential. Chiropractic treatment for children at your chiropractor is safe, gentle and effective.
Chiropractic Care Can Ease the Pain of Sports Injuries
Sports injuries, these days are not just limited to professional athletes or boys who participate in school sports programs. Now, more than ever, men and women of all ages are committed to regular sports and fitness activities. A large percentage of people are involved in sports like golf and tennis, and/or other healthy activities like running, aerobic classes, and weight training. Regardless of the activity,though, there is constantly the risk of injury.
Nearly all of injuries can be put into two groups: 1) traumatic injury, such as a slip, fall, or collision and, 2) repetitive stress or overuse injury.
Traumatic Injuries
These injuries produce the debilitating difficulties often associated with trauma. As a rule injuries to the ligaments (the tissue that connects bone to bone) and to muscles are the most frequent, although the trauma of fractures and dislocations often occurs in contact sports. Damage to a ligament is called a sprain, while trauma to a muscle or its tendon is a strain. Sprains and strains often occur in the ankles, knees, and shoulders, and less generally in the low back and neck. Because the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves can be affected, injury to the neck and low back can be very serious.
Traumatic injuries can vary from a mild “muscle pull” or ankle twist to a serious problem necessitating surgery. The enormity of the injury depends upon several factors, such as the degree of tearing of the tissues, the location of the injury, and the age of the person. Some degree of swelling occurs with most sprains and strains. However, with certain injuries, especially those of the ankle and knee, there can be some internal bleeding as well. Strains and sprains need proper attention, especially during the initial stages of an injury, to assure correct healing and avoid future disability. Therapy from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly advisable.
If you’ve sustained an injury, the best course of action is to see a professional. Until aid is accessible, remember the acronym, PRICE:
P Protect injury to avoid further damage
R Rest the damaged body region
I Ice injury to decrease swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C Compress injury with a specialized support or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E Elevate the injury, particularly when dealing with ankles and knees
Naturally it is important to get the injury appropriately examined by a chiropractor, or other competent health professional, to ascertain the amount of damage. When appropriate management is provided during the various stages of healing, most individuals who have suffered sprain and strain injuries will recover. If not cared for attentively, some sprains and strains can result in long-lasting problems such as joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. A chiropractor that is experienced in the treatment of sports injuries can deliver the proper advice and management you’ll require to insure that your injury will recoverl in the best possible way. Call your chiropractor if you have sustained a traumatic injury.
Overuse or Repetitive Strain Injuries
Sports such as golf, tennis, and bowling, as well as any other activity that demands the same motions over and over are prevalent reasons for repetitive stress injuries. An action as natural and healthy as running, particularly on a treadmill, can also be a factor.
Repetitious activity can frequently create a very slight strain to tissues, expressly tendons and muscles. But, it is the accumulative effects of the repetition that produces the more serious problem. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common types of overuse injuries. Over time the muscle or other affected tissue develops changes that no longer permit it to function correctly, resulting in pain, stiffness and disability. There are two kinds of factors that predispose a person to these types of problems: 1) Intrinsic, i.e., found within a person’s own body, and 2) Extrinsic, i.e., external factors that can generally be changed or controlled by the sufferer.
Some of the most prevalent intrinsic factors for injury
Age is the mostwell-established intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that man or woman to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. Some people are born with joint or muscle problems. And, ultimately, previous injuries are a factor as they generally prohibit the joints or muscles from functioning properly.
Extrinsic factors for injury
Extrinsic factors are abundant. An improper grip size of a tennis racket, worn-out running shoes, an uneven treadmill surface, or a too-hard surface for soccer are all instances of deficient sports equipment that can produce problems. Incorrect technique in any sport, such as an unsuitable golf grip is, as they say, an injury waiting to happen All sports activities demand a bit of pre-conditioning, which is why people who aren’t in shape who continue to prolong the duration of an activity without building up slowly, as well as those who lack flexibility, are injured more frequently. Warming up is essential prior to sports activities and not warming up, that is, not stretching or preparing for an activity is a widespread cause of injury. And, lastly, and maybe surprising to some, stress is a factor. Muscles that are tense and inflexible as the result of stress are too tight and, therefore, unprepared for most sports activities.
There are many factors that are extrinsic and, therefore, within a person’s control. But, most people must have evaluation by a qualified health care professional to establish their overall body health, the nature of an injury, and the solution to the problem. If left untreated, sports injuries can considerably affect a person’s life and limit a favorite activity. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is frequently needed to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is and excellent source of help. Call a chiropractor if you’re either thinking of beginning a new activity, you’re feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you’ve sustained a sports injury. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.