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Chiropractic care is effective for a wide variety of conditions. The following is a partial list of some of the most common. If you do not see your specific condition listed, we encourage you to give us a call so we can personally address your particular concerns.
Allergy
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Disc Problems
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Infantile Colic
Just a sampling
Joint Dysfunction
General Lower-Back Pain
Acute Lower-Back Pain
Chronic Lower-Back Pain
Neck Pain
Neurological Conditions
Osteoarthritis
Scoliosis
Whiplash
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Allergy
Allergies are often treated with chiropractic care. Many allergic and asthmatic reactions are caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system and/or respiratory system. Researchers have found that the immune and respiratory systems depend on normal communication from the brain and spinal cord to control and coordinate their functions.
If your neck is misaligned, it could cause an imbalance in your nervous system function. This upper cervical spinal joint irritation could possibly produce or exaggerate asthmatic and allergic symptoms. While many asthma and allergy sufferers recall specific traumas (e.g., head injuries, auto accidents, or falls) which could have injured their upper cervical spines, some do not.
Come in and visit our offices and we can perform an upper cervical examination and determine if your allergic reactions could be helped by chiropractic care.
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
CTS has become one of the most widespread occupational health problems we face today. It affects millions of people a year, and with our growing reliance on computers there seems to be no end in sight. With a large percentage of the population using keyboards either at work or at home, CTS is becoming increasingly common.
The syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve just above the wrist. Pressure on this nerve can becaused by an injury or sustained use from common activities like typing, chopping, hammering, or pushing. Symptoms of CTS range from wrist pain, numbness, tingling, burning, weakness or loss of grip strength, and loss of sleep due to discomfort. It is a neurological issue, we are treating more and more patients of all ages suffering from this malady.
There are a number of different ways to treat this condition. In most cases, a chiropractic adjustment to the affected area is an extremely effective solution. In some cases, a misalignment in either the back or neck can cause this condition, and chiropractic manipulation of the neck and/or spine can also serve as an effective treatment option.
After a thorough examination, your chiropractic doctor will perform specific adjustments where needed to help normalize structure and reduce nerve irritation. These treatments, along with physical therapy, stretching, and strengthening exercises, can in most cases effectively alleviate and eventually eliminate the symptoms associated with CTS. When given time, conservative, chiropractic care has produced excellent results with carpal tunnel problems-without drugs or surgery. |
A thorough examination can detect problems which may be the cause or contributing factor of your wrist pain.
Have someone try to pull your thumb and finger apart. If your fingers seem weak, yours could be related to a carpal tunnel problem
If placing your hands back to back produces an increase in numbness, tingling or pain, you could have a carpal tunnel problem. |
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Disc Problems A disc doesn’t “slip”
Discs are the cartilage pads that separate and cushion and help connect the vertebrae that make up your spinal column. The soft jellylike center is contained by layers of fibrous tissues. They serve as shock absorbers between each of the vertebrae and are constantly subjected to the pull of gravity and the torque from everyday movement. When healthy, discs allow normal turning and bending. Disc problems can be the result of genetics, the normal "wear and tear" of aging, and injury. |
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Since spinal discs have a very poor blood supply, they depend upon the circulation of joint fluids to bring in nutrients and expel waste. If a spinal joint loses its normal motion and this pumping action is impaired, the health of the disc deteriorates. Like a wet sponge, a healthy disc is flexible. A dry sponge is hard, stiff, and can crack easily. Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebra above and below it, a disc cannot "slip" as commonly thought. However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, interfering with their function. This is how many disc problems begin. Disc function is greatly affected by the alignment of the spine. A subluxation or structural imbalance can force a disc to bulge, protrude, or herniate, which then can result in contact with the nerves and cause pain.
This common back problem is one we see frequently. We effectively treat this malady by realigning the vertebrae and returning the spine to its normal range of motion, thereby reducing the pressure on the discs and spinal jointss. Besides reducing the disc bulging, better spinal function helps reduce inflammation and begin the slow process of healing the surrounding soft tissues. We also incorporate physical therapy as well as strengthening exercises for the abdominal and back muscles. Core stabilization is essential for prevention of subsequent disc problems.
While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills, by choosing conservative chiropractic care.
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Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic pain in the muscles and soft tissues surrounding joints, fatigue, and tenderness at specific sites in the body. While the cause is unknown, an estimated 3 million people are affected in the United States. Because we offer a conservative, hands-on approach to health care, some patients suffering from fibromyalgia are supplementing their medical care with chiropractic care.
In 1997, a study was conducted by three Canadian chiropractors on the effectiveness of chiropractic care for patients with fibromyalgia. They reported significant improvement in flexibility and reduction of pain levels and recommended that this type of treatment be included along with medical treatments for this condition.
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Headaches
Headaches are common in our fast-paced, pressure-filled world. There are many causes of headaches, including physical trauma, emotional stress, nutritional deficiencies, or chemical toxins. In addition, if your neck and/or back are out of alignment, this can affect nerves, muscles, and even blood flow to your head. Too often, we turn to over-the-counter medications to relieve our discomfort. Unfortunately, these only mask the underlying sources of pain.
After your initial chiropractic examination, we can determine if chiropractic health care is the best alternative for treating your chronic headaches. A combination of chiropractic adjustments and nutritional and lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches.
It is important to know that if you've suffered from chronic headaches for years, improvement can take time. But a visit to our offices is a great place to start. Every headache has a cause, and if we are unable to identify the cause, we will refer you to other specialists who may be able to help. |
The typical pattern is as follows: Beginning with activities such as studying, or computer work, stress and tension build up in the joints and muscles at the base of the neck (see (A) in diagram). As the shoulders become more rounded, this tension will then pull into the upper neck at the base of the skull (see (B)). Lastly, the stress will build up further, putting pressure on nerves causing referred pain to the forehead, behind the eyes, and to the back of the head (C). |
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Infantile Colic
Colic is a condition that occurs in early infancy and is characterized by episodes of loud crying, apparent abdominal pain, and irritability. Unfortunately, it is a common condition that affects approximately 10% of babies in the United States and lasts from about 2-3 weeks of age until 3-4 months. While the causes of colic are not always known or understood, parents of children exhibiting symptoms of colic are seeking help from chiropractors because of its effectiveness in reducing the severity of the symptoms.
One study that documents the efficacy of chiropractic for treating infantile colic was conducted in 1989 by a doctor of medicine and doctors of chiropractic at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in Great Britain. Researchers reported that 94% of infants with colic appeared to be helped by spinal manipulation within 14 days of the start of treatment. The babies tended to have both fewer episodes of crying and shorter crying spells.
Another study, this one conducted in 1999 in Denmark, investigated two infant groups: one that was treated with spinal manipulation, and another that was treated with an over-the-counter antacid medication (dimethicone). After two weeks, the group treated with spinal manipulation exhibited a 67% drop in daily hours of crying, while the dimethicone group experienced a 38% drop.
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Just a sampling
In summary, the above-referenced studies indicate chiropractic is effective for head, neck, and back pain, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and infantile colic. It is important to note that the conditions discussed in this section are not the only conditions we treat— this has simply been a sampling of studies that have been conducted to determine the efficacy of chiropractic. Our scope of practice extends well beyond the above maladies, and we will help you determine if chiropractic care will be an effective means of treating your particular condition. Chiropractic care will be an effective means of treating your particular condition. |
Several studies have been conducted to determine the efficacy of spinal manipulation as a treatment for lower-back pain in general. One of these involved three chiropractic colleges in California, where researchers reported that "the trend for spinal manipulation to produce better results than any form of treatment to which it was compared was consistent and strong." For 86% of the outcomes, spinal manipulation was more effective than any other treatment rendered for lower-back pain.
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Additional studies conducted both in and out of the United States yielded similar results, where patients reportedly recovered at a more rapid rate, had fewer relapses, and gained a new sense of confidence in their movement. Still more investigations have been conducted on the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment for two sub-categories of lower-back pain: acute and chronic.
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Acute Lower-Back Pain
A report published in 1994 by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research on acute low-back pain concluded that spinal adjustment is one of the most effective treatments for this condition. |
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In another study published in 1994 by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the Jefferson County ( Missouri) Rehabilitation Center, it was concluded that greater and more rapid improvement occurred when treated using exercises and spinal adjustment for acute low-back pain.
A third study conducted by the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and the University of Vermont was published in 1992. These researchers reported that spinal adjustment, when compared to other methods of treatment for acute lower-back pain (massage, corset, and TMS), proved to be a "superior," more effective treatment after three weeks of care.
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Chronic Lower-Back Pain
In 1997, the Dutch Health Insurance Board funded an investigation that summarized the results of 48 separate studies on the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment for chronic lower-back pain. The investigation |
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Two similar studies conducted in Canada in 1985 ( University Hospital in Saskatoon) and 1991 ( University of Calgary), plus a third study conducted in Poland in 1986 ( Silesian Medical School), produced results similar to the Dutch investigation.
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Neck Pain
Approximately 19% of our patients come to us with complaints of neck pain or discomfort. This pain can be caused by a variety of factors, such as an accident, injury, overuse, etc. The most common neck condition we address is whiplash.
The efficacy of chiropractic for neck pain has been well documented in numerous studies conducted in the United States, Canada, Wales, and the Netherlands. In a joint U.S./Canadian study published in 1996, researchers from UCLA, the West LA Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and two chiropractic colleges found that for some patients with sub-acute or chronic neck pain, spinal adjustment proved to be a more effective treatment than mobilization or physical therapy.
In a study conducted by the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto in 1997, researchers found spinal adjustments to improve neck mobility and decrease neck pain. An additional Canadian investigation published in 1997 by the University of Calgary found spinal adjustments to improve neck mobility and decrease neck pain in patients having back and/or neck complaints.
General practitioners in private practice at the Welsh National School of Medicine conducted a study of the efficacy of spinal adjustment in alleviating neck and shoulder pain. The results, published in 1983, indicated that pain and discomfort improved significantly after adjustment, as well as range of motion and flexibility of the affected areas.
A 1992 Netherlands study conducted by doctors of medicine and other professionals investigated different methods of treatment for patients with chronic back and neck pain. After 12 weeks of care, manual therapy (which consisted of adjustment and mobilization of the spine) had showed a "faster and larger improvement in physical functioning" relative to the other types of treatment such as massage, exercises, and physical therapy. Back to the List
Neurological Conditions
Neurological conditions such as headaches, neuritis (inflammation of any part of a nerve, other than the nerve root), and radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve root as it exits the spine) are the most commonly treated neurological cases in the chiropractic profession. Radiculitis is a common source of shoulder, arm and hand pain. With neuritis, patients sometimes experience sensations called paresthesias (feelings of tingling, hot spots, cold spots, crawling sensations, stinging, and burning). Loss of equilibrium/vertigo is also a condition sometimes treated by our office.
Because neurological problems can be extremely serious and even life-threatening, these situations often call for a referral or co-management with other health-care professionals.
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Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of the cartilage and bones of joints caused by "wear-and-tear" processes. It is often associated with degenerative changes in the disc and results in friction between adjacent vertebrae. The friction causes a strain as well as a loss of motion in the facets (gliding joints) of the spine. If these joints are exposed to continued trauma such as strenuous exercise, weakened muscles, and the inevitable factors of aging and heredity, the results can be severe low-back and/or leg pain.
While chiropractic cannot halt the process of osteoarthritis, we can improve the quality of life while living with the disease. If you're suffering from osteoarthritis, your spine is usually less flexible; therefore, it becomes more vulnerable to injury. |
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Under our care, your treatment may include spinal adjustments, physical therapy, and stretching and strengthening exercises. We can also recommend natural, drug-free ways to control your pain and discomfort.
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Scoliosis
Scoliosis is see more often in girls, because spinal bones continue to grow well into the early 20s, if left uncorrected, scoliosis often worsens. Traditional approaches attempt to correct the problem by immobilizing the spine with braces. Unfortunately, the most common treatment approach has been to wait and see how bad it gets, resorting to unsightly braces, or eventually surgery, if it progresses too far.
The chiropractic approach is to use specific spinal adjustments, often combined with corrective exercises. If detected early enough, chiropractic doctors have had excellent success with scoliosis cases. Early detection and chiropractic correction is important for optimum results. Do you know someone who could benefit from a chiropractic examination? |
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