Chiropractic Care

An initial visit will go as follows: first, a Chiropractor will take a detailed case history followed by a physical exam.  The physical exam is focused to the complaint at hand.  It could be a head/neck exam, thorax exam, ears, eyes, upper extremity, lower extremity, or spinal exam.  Next, he/she will then locate the areas of subluxation in the spine and/or extremities.  A subluxation is another word to describe a “slight dislocation” of a bone.  If x-rays or additional studies are warranted they will also be taken at this time.  Finally, the Chiropractor will then address the areas of subluxation using HVLA thrusts in the line of drive of the mis-alignment.  This will ultimately restore range of motion and eliminate any interference to the nervous system.  The nervous system is the most important organ in the human body and controls and coordinates every organ system and body part.  Post adjustment, the Chiropractor will answer any and all questions the patient may have and discuss further treatment if necessary.  In addition, the Chiropractic may choose to provide corrective care for the Scoliosis patient known as Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP).  They will set the patient up on mechanical traction to re-shape the ligaments of the spine that are essentially deformed.  They will start out on these particular tractions for a time of six minutes and slowly increase this to twenty minutes.  A post x-ray analysis is taken to view the changes after a specific period of time.  Children and Scoliosis don’t have to co-exist; have your child evaluated today by a Chiropractic physician. 

Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong.  Millions of people experience pain at some point in their day.  The most common condition linked to neck pain and tension is a cervical subluxation.  Chiropractic treatment for the neck improves the mobility of the spine and restores loss of motion.  Physical therapy and massage therapy for the neck will increase flexibility and strengthen weak muscles in the neck and shoulders.  Nerve Impingement Syndrome and Pain can be evident within the lower back.  Unfortunately, 80% of the population will experience some sort of back pain within their lifetime.  Most cases of back pain are mechanical in origin.  Spinal subluxation and muscle weakness are key elements that are linked to chronic lower back pain.  Chiropractic and physical therapy can alleviate many symptoms associated with such low back conditions such as the following: Sciatica, disc herniation, Scoliosis, spinal degeneration, stenosis, pelvic imbalance, and core strengthening.  The primary causes of Nerve Impingement Syndrome and Pain include the following: auto accidents, pregnancy, repetitive stress, poor posture, lack of exercise, and sports injuries. 

Auto accidents

When you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, the extent of the physical injury to your spine can not be linked to the amount of damage to your vehicle.  Whether you are involved in a minor “fender bender” or a rear-end collision, you should have your spine evaluated for subluxation and abnormal curvature of the spinal column. 

Pregnancy

In contrast, pregnancy can be a wonderful blessing in a women’s life; however, this process involves a physical change in a women’s body which may result in long term effects to her spine and pelvis.  The effects of pregnancy can result in the following: exaggerated spinal curves, an irritated sciatic nerve, overstretched and weakened abdominal muscles, and loosened pelvic joints.  Chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists are trained in providing safe and comfortable care to women before and after their pregnancy. 

Repetitive stress

Nerve Impingement Syndrome can be caused from repetitive stress.  Whether you’re at work or play, doing the same activity over and over again can produce repetitive stress injuries.  Some symptoms of repetitive stress injuries include: stiffness, pain, weakness, and loss of motion.  Muscles, tendons, and joints that are not properly treated will result in chronic problems. 

Conclusion

Chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists are all skillfully trained in the art and science behind the musculo-skeletal system and can aid in much-needed relief to Nerve Impingement Syndrome.

The term scoliosis refers to an atypical sideways curvature of the spine. Normally, this abnormal curvature develops during growth before puberty but in some cases, it is the result of cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. Aside from these conditions, it is generally not known why this unusual curvature of the spine develops however it may be more common if a family member has the condition as genetics may be involved. The severity of the curvature can vary from very mild to severe enough to be debilitating. In some cases, very severe curvature may make it difficult to breathe because the curve can reduce space in the chest. Depending on the severity of the curvature, surgical intervention may or may not be necessary to correct the spine. A physical examination may show slumped or uneven shoulders, a waist that is not level with one hip higher than the other, or a shoulder blade that protrudes from the back more on only one side. After an initial diagnosis of scoliosis in a child, they will be monitored with x-ray to determine if the curvature is worsening. Generally, a mild curve does not require serious treatment and can be controlled with a brace. It is important to monitor scoliosis from time to time during a child’s growth as scoliosis can progress with no feeling of pain or discomfort.

Abnormal Curvature

As stated before, mild cases of scoliosis do not require surgical intervention or aggressive forms of treatment. If the unusual curvature is monitored and it is noted that the scoliosis is not worsening, no intervention is necessary. Chiropractic manipulation is not able to correct the abnormal curvature of scoliosis but patients may seek chiropractic care to help in reducing the amount of pain felt in the back as a result of the curvature. A chiropractic physician can also offer physical therapy exercises and stretches to keep the spinal muscles more flexible and strong, which will help to reduce pain as well. In more severe cases of scoliosis, where there is progression, if a brace is not adequate in controlling the curvature, spinal surgery may be recommended. A spinal fusion operation will fuse two or more of the spinal vertebrae together and the surgeon may also insert rods or screws into the spine to hold the spinal column straight during the healing process. Following the healing process from a spinal fusion, it is important to continue with physical therapy exercises to keep the spinal muscles as flexible and as strong as possible.

References Cited in this Article

www.mayoclinic.com

www.iscoliosis.com

Normal and Abnormal spine

Scoliosis can very painful for a patient.  Scoliosis can affect the patient’s neck, upper and lower back, along with their shoulders.  Scoliosis is stated to be caused by scar tissue or sensory-motor amnesia, trauma or even an allergy to food.  A patient may have signs, such as frequent muscle spasms or underlying arthritis.  This can be linked to the symptoms of scoliosis.  Often patients may have uneven limbs or limbs that are out of symmetry.  A patient may have an unevenness in their legs or shoulders which causes the scoliosis to become more prominent.  If you feel that you may show signs of scoliosis, it’s important to visit your doctor before starting any treatment plan as there are many different treatment options.  You doctor can provide thorough x-rays and diagnose any underlying issues.  They may also recommend a specialist who can provide a more solid assessment and treatment plan.  Severe scoliosis will require patients to undergo surgery or wear a spinal brace or case.  This will help straighten and realign the spine back into its natural positioning.  Patients with mild symptoms can benefit from homeopathic treatment options such as chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture.  A deep tissue or Swedish massage is another great alternative scoliosis treatment.  The massage helps to loosen any tightness that is felt around the spine which can result in drastic pain relief for the patient. 

Acupuncture Treatment

Nearly 80 percent of the population is affected by some type of back pain during their lifetime.  Researchers studied a group of 1,000 people receiving six months of acupuncture treatment for back pain.  More than half of the group experienced improvement.  Many studies are showing that acupuncture relieves back aches for a long period of time and effectively cures the condition.  More individuals are seeking acupuncture treatment as an alternative to pain medication and surgery as there are no negative side effects to acupuncture.      

Does it hurt?

Typically, an acupuncture session lasts for an hour and a half and is painless.  Patients may feel a pinch when needles are first inserted, but generally pain is not encountered during treatment.  Some sensations that may occur during acupuncture treatment range from nothing at all to mild tingling or slight numbness, but subside once the needle are removed.  The needles used are very thin and a lot smaller than the hypodermic needles used in hospitals or health facilities.  Most patients actually say that acupuncture is relaxing and experience better improved function than when they first arrived.  Sometimes patients will need to go through 5-10 treatments before experiencing any positive effects from acupuncture.         

Normal and Abnormal spine

Scoliosis is curvature of the spine that often results in a curve like the letter “S” or “C.”  Some people are diagnosed at birth, while others develop scoliosis over time.  Some of the causes of scoliosis include muscle spasms, sensory-motor amnesia, imbalance posture, and scar tissue.  A normal spine is considered to have 10 degrees or less of curvature.  Mild cases of scoliosis consist of 20 degrees of curves, while moderate cases are 20-50 degrees.  A spine that is curved at 40-50 degrees is considered a serve case and the patient will suffer from pain and degenerative joint diseases.  The most common demographic of people affected by this deformity are adolescent girls because their bodies have not reached a mature condition.  If left untreated, scoliosis can cause back pain, headaches, and breathing problems. 

Massage Therapy Used to Treat Scoliosis

Massage therapists can use a massage technique called deep tissue massage to improve the condition of scoliosis.  This type of massage can enhance blood circulation and relieve muscle pain and tensions within the body.  By massaging this area, the continuous pull on the spine is relaxed.  Massage is more effective on young people with scoliosis because they have stronger bones than individuals over the age of 25.  Another type of massage, called cranial-sacral therapy, is proven to relieve pain or symptoms of scoliosis.  The massage therapist will address restricted tissues around the spinal column by gently gripping the muscles to help mobilize the spine.  These massage therapy techniques can provide pain relief to overstretched muscles and reduced tension on the spinal column.