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Chiropractic Treatment for Neck Pain

The neck, medically referred to as the cervical spine, starts at the base of the skull and consists of seven vertebrae. It supports the full weight of your head and can move it in virtually all direction. However, this flexibility makes the neck prone to pain and injury.

Neck pain is quite common and tends to be very bothersome. Fortunately, it is rarely a symptom of a more serious underlying problem. You’ll need to seek medical attention if the pain is associated with numbness or loss of strength in your arms.

Here are the most common causes of neck pain:

Holding head in one position such as when you’re hunched over the computer for an extended period or during long-distance driving.

Poor posture since it can strain muscles and connective tissues that support the cervical spine. The ‘head-and-shoulders-forward’ posture is by far the most common example that contributes to neck pain.

Growing old is also a contributing factor for the development of neck pain. As you age, your neck joints gradually wear down. Osteoarthritis causes the intervertebral dics to deteriorate. Spinal stenosis may develop and bone spurs can form, affecting joint motion and subsequently causing pain.

Injuries like rear vehicular collisions frequently cause whiplash injury, which results from the sudden, unrestrained forward and backward movement of the head and neck.

Nerve compression caused by bone spurs or herniated intervertebral discs. These can exert undue pressure on the nerves that branch out from the spinal cord. The greater the compression, the more intense is the pain.

Diseases and disorders like tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, and meningitis can also cause neck pain.

Symptoms of Neck Pain

Headache, facial pain, shoulder pain, and upper extremity paresthesia

Decreased ability to move your head

Muscle tightness and spasms

Pain that is often aggravated by holding your head in one place for long periods, as mentioned in the preceding section

Numbness, tenderness, tingling sensation, restricted range-of-motion, dizziness or lightheadedness, difficulty swallowing, and lymph node swelling.

How a Chiropractor Can Help with Neck Pain

Your chiropractor will conduct an objective evaluation of your spine in its entirety because other areas like the mid-back (thoracic) and low back (lumbar) may also be affected. This allows him to identify areas of restricted movement. He will also examine your gait pattern (i.e. your manner of walking) along with your spinal alignment and overall posture. These will help him understand and identify certain abnormalities in your body mechanics.

Aside from the physical exam, you will also be asked about your past medical history, and your chiropractor may request imaging tests (X-ray, CT-scan or MRI) to help him diagnose the precise cause of your neck pain.

All of the aforementioned steps in the diagnostic process will provide your chiropractor with more insight about your neck pain. These will help him devise a treatment plan that is customized for your particular condition.

Chiropractic Neck Adjustments (Cervical Manipulation)

Cervical manipulation (also known as neck adjustment) is a specialized procedure used for the joints of the neck. Typically applied manually, it is meant to restore range of motion and improve the mobility of the cervical spine. Patients usually report an improvement in their ability to turn and tilt their head, along with a significant reduction in pain, soreness, and stiffness.

As part of the treatment plan to address neck pain, your chiropractor may utilize a combination of spinal manipulation procedures, manual therapy, and other related techniques.

Some of the spinal manipulation procedures include the following:

Flexion-distraction technique – it aims to increase spinal motion and resolve disc herniations and disc bulges. It is a gentle form of spinal manipulation that has been shown to reduce intradiscal pressures by as much as -192 mmHg and enlarges the spinal canal by up to 28 percent

Instrument-assisted manipulation – as the name suggests, this technique makes use of a hand-held instrument that enables your chiropractor to apply force without necessarily thrusting into the cervical spine.

Specific spinal manipulation – this helps restore joint mobility by using a series of gentle thrusting movements.

Manual therapies may also be used by your chiropractor to treat your neck pain. They include the following:

Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy –this makes use of ergonomically designed instruments to locate restrictions, diagnose and ease muscle tension. The instruments enable your chiropractor to treat the affected area with the right amount of pressure.

Manual joint stretching and resistance techniques – these help reduce restriction in joint motion, alleviate pain, and other related symptoms.

Therapeutic massage–this promotes muscle relaxation, thereby reducing spasm and releasing chronic tension.

Trigger point therapy -it is specifically designed to target the source of neck pain using cycles of isolated pressure and release on tight, painful points of a muscle.

Your chiropractor may also use other therapies to ease neck pain symptom

Ultrasound Therapy– involves the use of sound waves that are transmitted to muscle tissue in order to reduce stiffness and pain. It provides deep heating which increases blood circulation. The heat delivers a soothing effect while increased circulation promotes healing of damaged or injures structures.

Inferential electrical stimulation – this modality uses the physiological effects of low frequency (less than 250pps) stimulation of nerves without the accompanying painful and unpleasant side effects that are associated with low-frequency electrical stimulation. It is better tolerated by patients and has been shown to significantly reduce neck pain.

Therapeutic exercises may also be used by your chiropractor since they can help improve range of motion and prevent the progression of pain.

Conclusion

You are likely to encounter neck pain at some point in life. It can be an acute or chronic condition. Either way, it would be wise to seek proper treatment which largely depends on your diagnosis. Your chiropractor should be able to provide the much-needed relief so you can go about your normal routine.

In case you have questions about chiropractic treatment for neck pain, or wish to know if it’s right for you, please feel free to contact us at 905-882-1908. We look forward to helping alleviate your pain and get you in tip-top shape as soon as possible!

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Chiropractic Treatment for Knee Pain

The most common daily activities, from bending down to climbing stairs, walking from your vehicle to the office, or simply getting out of bed can become difficult when you’re dealing with knee pain. It certainly has a huge impact on your ability to function optimally.

You don’t have to live with the pain, limit your activities, or take more pain medication.

You can give chiropractic treatment a try. In most cases, an experienced chiropractor can identify the underlying issues causing the pain and use a combination of techniques that yield knee pain relief.

Common Causes of Knee Pain

Your knees can be injured through direct trauma or can be affected by dysfunction and disease. Direct trauma pertains to a sudden injury like those incurred from a fall or vehicular accident, or from chronic conditions such as overuse or a genetic weakness. In addition to direct trauma, knee problems can be the result of disease or dysfunction, with the latter often accompanying muscle disorders or strains. Other common causes include the following:

Knee Joint Misalignment – this refers to a change in the normal anatomy of the knee joint. The usual changes observed include internal rotation of the femur and an inward facing patella, which is also known as “winking patella”. These lead to uneven pressures in the knee joint that cause pain and damage to the underlying articulate cartilage.

Flat Feet – People with this condition have either no arch in their feet or the arch is very low. The problem here is that when the arch flattens, it causes the tibia and the femur to rotate inwards, adding stress on the knee and eventually triggering pain.

Pinched nerve in the low back – The nerves that transmit pain sensation to the knees originate in the lower back region. With age or injury, the discs between the vertebrae protrude and press on these nerves. The affected nerve becomes irritated and sends pain signals to the brain. The severity of the pain depends on the size of the disc that‘s pressing on the nerve, specifically the sciatic nerve.

Symptoms of Knee Pain

The location and severity of the pain may vary, depending on what caused the problem.

Signs and symptoms that typically accompany knee pain include the following:

Stiffness and swelling

Weakness or instability (feeling that the knee will buckle)

Redness and warmth to the touch

Clicking or popping sound

Inability to fully extend the knee

How a Chiropractor Can Help with Knee Pain Relief

Your chiropractor will evaluate your gait, meaning your manner of walking. From your gait, he/she will be able to determine the amount of stress that is being placed on your knees. Your chiropractor will then start aligning the joint through a variety of therapeutic techniques including the following:

Spinal adjustment – Any misalignment of the spine creates imbalance that puts added pressure on all joints, including the knees. Spinal adjustment aims to reestablish alignment and balance. This restores functionality to your knees and reduces wear and tear to the joints.

Trigger point therapy – This is a form of remedial massage therapy that utilizes the precise application of pressure on specific points in the body in order to alleviate pain and discomfort.

Posture Correction – Just like misalignment of the spine, poor posture puts pressure on muscles and joints. Your chiropractor may evaluate your posture and make the necessary corrections.

Low-level laser therapy – Also known as cold laser therapy, this stimulates the muscles and soft tissues to reduce inflammation, facilitate blood flow and speed up the healing process.

Ultrasound therapy – This technique uses ultrasonic waves to massage painful muscles and joints. It is effective in relieving pain, reducing stiffness and improving the mobility for patients.

Your chiropractor may also offer nutrition counseling to help manage your weight and store energy for exercise. He/she may provide some lifestyle advice and show you behavioral and lifestyle changes that will ultimately result in knee pain relief.

Chiropractic Adjustments for a Sore Knee

Chiropractic adjustments work well for sore knees and they are most effective when performed in conjunction with complementary corrective exercise. Chiropractic adjustments of the spine, hips and knees help mobilize these joints back into proper alignment. This, in turn, relieves joint stress, reduces inflammation, and facilitates healing. When combined with corrective exercises, chiropractic treatment for knee pain has been proven highly effective.

We have outlined the treatment process to give you a clear idea of our approach. Our chiropractor usually modify the process depending on the condition of the patient. This means the type of treatment that best suits one patient is not necessarily appropriate for another.

First Step: Reduce pain and soreness by addressing joint inflammation. This is achieved by using ice, laser, ultrasound and interferential therapy. You will also be instructed to avoid certain activities that will aggravate the problem or slow down the healing process.

Second Step: Normalize joint function through chiropractic manipulation and mobilization techniques. This will improve function and increase range of motion at the knee joint. Trigger point therapy and deep soft tissue massage may also be used.

Third Step: Rehabilitation exercise program. If appropriate, your chiropractor will introduce exercises meant to improve strength, endurance and stability of the knees. He will also work on improving your balance and proprioception so you can quickly return to your regular activities.

Conclusion

Whether your knee problem is associated with wear and tear, overuse, an injury or disease, it is important that you seek proper diagnosis and start immediate treatment. While over the counter drugs may help in reducing the pain and soreness, they will do nothing to address the underlying issue that’s causing your knee problem. If you want effective and lasting relief, you’ll need the help of a professional.

In case you have questions about chiropractic treatment for knee pain, or wish to know if it’s right for you, please feel free to contact us at 905-882-1908 or visit us. We look forward to helping alleviate your knee pain and get you in tip-top shape as soon as possible!

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Chiropractic Treatment for Hip Pain

Hip pain can be caused by several factors. There are instances when diseases that affect the hip joint cause pain in the said area. Depending on the cause, the pain may present itself while walking, running, or engaging in other physical activities.

Some of the most common symptoms include the following:

Joint pain

Groin pain

Limping

Warmth

Swelling over the hip

Loss of motion in the hip

Tenderness in the hip

Difficulty sleeping on the hip

These symptoms vary in intensity from mild to severe, the latter being a cause of disability.

Common Causes of Hip Pain

Osteoarthritis – Among the elderly, osteoarthritis is by far the most common cause of pain in the hip. Also known as degenerative joint disease, it is a form of arthritis that is typically caused by the breakdown, inflammation, and subsequent loss of cartilage in the affected joints.

Although osteoarthritis has no definitive treatment, there are ways to slow down its progression and prevent the symptoms from worsening. There are other inflammatory disorders that can also trigger hip pain such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Hip Bursitis – A fluid-filled sac known as bursa surrounds your hip joints and practically all other major joints in the body. It cushions the joint and helps in reducing friction, but when it becomes inflamed, it leads to bursitis. The most common type of hip bursitis is called trochanteric bursit is, and it usually causes pain.

Overuse or Muscle strain – If you are athletic or physically active, this is a common issue. Subjecting your body to repetitive movements for prolonged periods can cause hip muscles to become bruised, sore or torn.

Wear and tear on the cartilage that surrounds the hip joint can also cause arthritis. In addition, daily activities that put stress on the hip may also trigger inflammation of the muscles and connective tissues surrounding the hip. This kind of pain can gradually develop over time.

Lower Back Problems – The primary reason why lower back pain usually radiates to the hips is the large group of nerves collectively known as the sciatic nerve. It is roughly as big as your thumb. It originates from the lower back, runs down the buttock, the posterior aspect of the thigh, all the way down to your feet.

When the sciatic nerve is pinched, damaged or the pain in the lower back is in close proximity to the nerve, the pain will present itself along the course of the nerve. This condition is called sciatica. Most sufferers perceive that the pain is coming from the hips, when in fact it is just a symptom of a number of problems that affect the lower back.

Referred Pain and Other Sources of Hip Pain

There are cases when the ‘hip pain’described by patients actually originates from other parts of the body. This is known as referred pain. Some patients who report pain in the lower back and hips may be dealing with dysfunction of the sacroiliac joints. Pain in the hip and groin can also be caused by a hernia, a condition when the abdominal wall is weekend or torn.

Chiropractic Treatment for Hip Pain

A number of painful conditions are caused by misalignment in the body, particularly in the spine. Chiropractors use different techniques to correctly realign the spine and relieve pain and restore normal mobility.

Trying chiropractic treatment for hip pain is generally a good idea because chiropractors have more than 100 types of adjustment techniques at their disposal. Most of them rely on a dozen or so to successfully treat their patients. Here are some of them:

High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude (HVLA) Thrust

This is one of the most commonly used techniques wherein chiropractors apply a sudden, controlled force to a joint. It is what patients are pertaining to when they say they had their back ‘cracked.’ There are 3 main types of HVLA thrust:

Diversified technique – This is when a chiropractor performs a series of rapid adjustments to individual joints. It is estimated that 96 percent of chiropractors use this for 70 percent of their patients.

Gonstead technique – This adjustment makes use of specialized chairs and tables to quickly adjust each joint. Chiropractors who practice this use visualization, motion palpation or static palpation to pinpoint where a patient is misaligned, and the best way to correct the misalignment.

Thompson Terminal Point Technique (a.k.a. Thompson Drop-Table Technique) – This makes use of a precision adjusting table with a weighing instrument. The table takes advantage of the natural anatomy of the spinal joints to move a misaligned section in a manner that will improve the motion of that section in relation to those located above and below it.

Low-Force, Gentle Chiropractic Care

This works best for patients who can’t tolerate sudden movements or who are dealing with conditions that rule out the use of HVLA thrust. With this technique, the chiropractor continuously applies low force to achieve the desired effect.

The most common types of low-force, gentle chiropractic care are spinal mobilization techniques. They include the following:

Activator method – The chiropractor uses a hand-held, spring-loaded, manual device that delivers a low-force impulse. The patient lies prone (face down), and the chiropractor takes measurements, performs muscle testing, and adjusts the spine using the Activator device.

Core flexion-distraction – The chiropractor applies a gentle stretch to the lower spine in order to adjust the vertebrae. This technique is usually performed using a series of repetitive movements similar to a slow rocking motion.

Toggle drop – Just like the Drop Technique, this one also uses a specially-designed drop table. The chiropractor puts his/her hands on the target area and applies steady pressure then releases a portion of the table.

Mackenzie technique – This makes the patient select the most comfortable position for spinal adjustment. This is the best approach for patients who are anxious about undergoing chiropractic treatment.

Sacro-Occipital Technique – The chiropractor places wedge-shaped blocks under the pelvis and uses the patient’s weight and breathing to improve the position of the hip bones.

Risk of Chiropractic Adjustment for Hip

Chiropractic treatment is gaining a lot of support for different conditions, thanks to the growing body of research that proves its effectiveness.

Chiropractic adjustment for the hip has been shown in multiple studies to be more effective in relieving pain than prescription medication. It is practically risk-free as long as you seek the care of licensed practitioners.

The PhysioCore Commitment

We are proud to have a chiropractor who can customize a treatment plan for you. Rest assured that we will exert all means possible to help you recover and teach you how to deal with your condition even when you are not in our clinic. Moreover, we will educate you on how to prevent reoccurrence of your injury so we can achieve maximum restoration of overall function and mobility.

If you have any questions about chiropractic treatment for hip pain or wish to know if it’s right for you, please contact us at 905-882-1908.

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What is Chiropractic Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment also referred to as chiropractic manipulation, is a holistic, non-invasive therapeutic treatment where in trained medical practitioners use their hands to apply a sudden, controlled thrust to a joint in the spinal column. This manual manipulation is done in order to reduce joint, improve abnormal movement patterns, increase the range of motion, reduce nerve irritation, and ultimately, the body’s overall physical function.

A chiropractic adjustment usually involves the following:

A high velocity, short lever arm force applied to a joint

Joint cavitation or an audible release of gases including oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. The pressure inside the joint is reduced when these gases are released.

A relieving sensation in most cases, although minor discomfort can be experienced if the surrounding muscles go into spasm or the patient tenses up during treatment.

Bear in mind that joint cavitation does not occur at times, usually due to muscle splinting or the patient is not completely relaxed during the procedure. In such cases, the chiropractor may opt to apply ice, make the patient rest, or do massage and electrical stimulation before attempting the chiropractic adjustment.

Types of Chiropractic Adjustment

There are different types of chiropractic adjustment meant to treat various symptoms based on where in the body a patient is experiencing pain.

Flexion-distraction manipulation – This is a low-force treatment which concentrates on the hips and the lower back. The chiropractor will stretch your spinal joints using a smooth and subtle pumping motion.

Manual joint manipulation – This helps to ease the pain in the neck, mid-back, upper and lower extremities. The chiropractor will apply pressure using quick, controlled movements to push your joints apart and allow them to work properly.

Low force manipulation – This involves a gentle approach and is used on infants, toddlers, elderly patients, or those with acute pain. Slower movements with less force are used to achieve the desired result.

Chiropractic Adjustment Benefits

If you often deal with symptoms like joint pain, headaches or stress, but have yet to see a chiropractor for help, you are missing out on a natural and effective treatment option. Across the globe, millions of people have reaped the benefits of chiropractic adjustment which has been proven to help treat a variety of health disorders.

One of the best things about this treatment approach is that it is completely drug-free. It offers dozens of positive benefits without prescription medications and the invasiveness of surgery or other more radical techniques. Chiropractic adjustments help to naturally treat health problems including the following:

Neck and lower back pain

Headaches (tension and migraine)

Arthritis

Sciatica

Frozen shoulder

Fibromyalgia

Scoliosis

Vertigo

Chiropractic Adjustment for the Neck

Manual manipulation of the cervical spine is typically done in the supine position, and the chiropractor places over the articulating pillar of the joint involved. This affected joint is then moved to its end range of motion, with all joint play locked out. A high-velocity, low-amplitude force is then applied.

Certain techniques may be chosen that require a minimum of neck extension and rotation. For instance, the patient can be positioned prone on the treatment table with the heads lightly flexed. Contact is made over the facet joint, and counter-pressure is applied to the opposite side. The manipulative force is then applied through the facet joint without rotating the neck of the patient.

Cervical manipulation of the spine offers a myriad of benefits. It provides effective relief from pain and pressure in the neck. It also realigns the joints and therefore helps improve posture. In addition, having cervical manipulation triggers the release of endorphins which are the natural pain relievers of the human body. Pain relief will eventually have a positive psychological effect on the patient as he/she is able to function more efficiently.

Chiropractic Adjustment for the Lower Back

A lot of studies have come to the conclusion that the manual treatment approaches used by chiropractors are generally effective for the relief of low back pain. They are also of significant value when it comes to the management of lumbar herniated disc, among other conditions.

As a matter of fact, patients suffering from chronic low back pain are often treated by chiropractors. The prognosis is enhanced if the patients undergo spinal maintenance manipulation following the initial intensive manipulative therapy.

A number of reviews have surmised that chiropractic adjustment for the lower back is safe when performed by a licensed and well-trained practitioner. By far, the most common side effects are minor and include feeling tired or soreness, which generally go away after one to two days.

All aspects of treatment are based on precise diagnosis of what is causing pain or discomfort in the lower back. The chiropractor must be informed about your medical history, including traumatic/surgical history, ongoing medical conditions, current medications, and lifestyle factors. This will ensure that treatment will not worsen a herniated disc or cause spinal cord injury.

Chiropractic Adjustment Side Effects

The most common response to a chiropractic adjustment is mild pain or soreness in and around the spinal joints or muscles. If such pain or soreness occurs, it is normally within the first couple of hours post-treatment and typically eases in less than 24 hours. Application of an ice pack helps in relieving the symptoms faster.

Other reported side effects include nausea, dizziness, and headaches. Nothing really serious and all the aforementioned are what you can expect when you go for a chiropractic adjustment. They may not occur at all, but in case you experience any of them, there’s no reason to panic.

Final Word

Chiropractic adjustment is a safe, holistic, effective and non-invasive form of treatment that has become increasingly popular, especially among people who have had minimal relief from more traditional medical treatment approaches. Just make sure that your chiropractor is duly licensed so you can reap the many health benefits that it has to offer. You may well be on your way to a pain-free, healthier and more functional life.

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