What Kind of Conditions can be Treated by a Chiropractor?
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
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 office and we can perform an upper cervical
examination and determine if your allergic reactions could be helped by
chiropractic care.
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.
The syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve just above the
wrist. Pressure on this nerve can be caused 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.
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.
These treatments, along with physical therapy, stretching, and strengthening
exercises, can in most cases effectively alleviate and eventually eliminate the
symptoms associated with CTS.
Disc Problems
Discs are the cartilage pads that separate and cushion and help connect the
vertebrae that make up your spinal column. 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. Disc problems can be the
result of genetics, the normal "wear and tear" of aging, and injury.
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 joints.
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.
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 office 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.
Joint Dysfunction
We are specially trained to treat joint disorders. Joint or articular problems are
caused by: osteoarthitis (degenerative joint disease), subluxations, sprains,
intervertebral disc problems, and various abnormal changes in the curve of
the spine. Joints that are aligned improperly or are impaired will begin to
degenerate rapidly if not attended to promptly and properly.
Adjustment procedures, physical therapy, and rehabilitation exercises are very
effective in treating joint disorders. As with all conditions we treat, we will be
happy to refer you to another health-care provider if you are not a candidate
for chiropractic.
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.
Neurological problems can be extremely serious and even life threatening,
these situations often call for a referral or co-management with other healthcare professionals.
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. 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.
Whiplash
Whiplash is the common name given to the injury where there is a
hyperextention (increased backward motion) and hyperflexion (increased
forward motion) of the cervical (neck) spine. More simply put, the head is
dramatically thrust forward and backward. Car accidents and falls can cause
whiplash injuries.
Symptoms of whiplash include headaches; visual disturbance; stiffness of the
neck; restriction of movement; and shoulder, neck, or arm pain. These
symptoms may or may not be felt immediately. It is estimated that most
whiplash injuries are not felt for several hours, days, and in some cases even
months or years following the accident.
Even if you are not in pain following a whiplash incident, it is important to
receive prompt attention to your injury, as the structural balance of your neck
and spine is important to your health. We can assist in your recovery by
correctly adjusting your neck and/or spine so it has the chance to heal
properly. In addition, we can recommend physical therapy, stretching and
strengthening exercises, and natural anti-inflamatories to put you back on the
road to good health.