There are several online chiropractor directory websites that are helpful for people who are trying to locate or research chiropractic physicians in their areas. These directories list current chiropractors state by state and their purpose is to create an easy to find database for current and prospective chiropractic patients. Chiropractic associations, such as the ACA, have websites that not only provide a directory of chiropractic physicians but also provide current chiropractic health information for both practitioners as well as for patients. A person can search these directories by entering a specific doctor, clinic, location, city, state or zip code. Some directories may also provide detailed maps and directions to the chiropractic clinics as well. A chiropractic directory can also include a detailed list of chiropractic associations, past and current chiropractic articles, alternative health care news, blogs by various chiropractic physicians and past and current research news and updates. Patients may also view chiropractic physician reviews through a directory, giving them a better idea as to the kind of experience and care other patients have received from certain doctors. Some directory websites may also provide information about specific health conditions and disorders that chiropractic physicians can possibly help to treat in their clinics. These listings can help by allowing a search for specific treatment options such as acupuncture, massage therapy, sports therapy, decompression treatment, nutritional counseling and traction.

Chiropractic Physicians and Chiropractic Students

Chiropractic physicians can use chiropractic directories to advertise their clinics. These directories help them to get the public more aware of their services and specialties. Both chiropractic physicians and chiropractic students can search directories for continuing education courses, employment postings, available equipment listings, reviews for chiropractic products, professional practices that are for sale and lists of chiropractic schools. Chiropractic directories are useful for both physicians and patients as they connect one to the other. They can help prospective patients learn more about the profession, read about specific doctors, what to expect at a visit and how to choose a chiropractor that fits well with their individual health care needs. Health insurance companies also provide a directory of chiropractic physicians that are networked with their company. These directories are useful in helping a patient to find what chiropractic offices will accept their health insurance plan. Because of these online search tools, no matter where a patient lives, they will be able to search and locate a chiropractic physician that is able to meet their health care needs.

References Cited in this Article

www.chirodirectory.com

www.chiropractor-pages.com

www.chiropracticdirectories.org                    www.chirohub.com

According to Wikipedia, “paralysis is the complete loss of muscle function of one or more muscles.  Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor.”  Paralysis is almost always due to damage within the nervous system, especially the spinal cord.  This can be due to accidents such as car accidents, diving accidents, etc.  Other major known causes of paralysis may include: stroke, nerve injury, poliomyelitis, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Spina Bifida, and Botulism.  Certain known drugs may also cause paralysis such as Curare.  Although, these are the most common forms, there is also sleep paralysis which are caused by various other factors. 

Two types of Spinal Cord Injuries

There are two types of spinal cord injuries which can cause paralysis: complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries.  Complete refers to the complete loss of function below the level of the injury.  On the contrary, incomplete spinal cord injury results in some sensation and feeling below the level of the injury.  The prognosis of a spinal cord injury depends on many factors like the following: where in the spine the injury occurred, which nerves are affected, and the severity of the injury itself.  Physicians typically tell patients that some recovery will be noted within six months following the injury if there will be any; however, after six months recovery of any kind is very unlikely overall.

Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

There are some treatments tailored to these injuries and include the following: installing a ventilator for upper spinal cord injuries to allow the patient to breathe and perform some activities of daily living, pressure sore management, and arm and leg reconstruction. 

Alternative Treatments

Although Chiropractors work on the nervous system it hasn’t been studied whether or not they can improve the nervous system of someone suffering from paralysis.  This is extremely unlikely though.  However, they may be able to administer some massage therapy to taut muscles and provide the patient some much-needed stress relief.  

How it works

MRI is an abbreviation for Magnetic Resonance Image.  It is different from an x-ray because it takes pictures of organs, bones and muscle tissue without using radiation.  Instead of radiation, the MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio frequency energy that generate images which can be viewed on a computer.  The MRI creates images that allow patients to view a healthy and unhealthy image of the affected area.  Before the test begins, the patient must fill out a medical history information sheet and remove all metal jewelry from their body.  Some things that may affect the test are pacemakers, metal implants, dentures, aneurysm clip, or a neurostimulator.  It is important that the patient tell the doctor if he/she has ever had surgery on involving the heart, eye, ear, brain or blood vessels.  Once he/she is ready they will lie on a narrow bed and the doctor will push them into a machine tube.  It generally takes 20-30 minutes for the procedure, but it depends what the doctor is screening for.  The patient may be asked to wear earplugs because certain scanners may produce loud noises.  The loud noises are completely normal and the patient should not be alarmed.  The MRI is painless and the machine never touches the patient’s body.  Once the images are complete the doctor or radiologist will review them with the patient.  Chiropractors use images from MRI’s to get a better understanding of the medical condition with the patient.  The high quality images are helpful when chiropractors are deciding on which method of treatment to use for the patient. 

Benefits and Risks of an MRI

An MRI is a non-invasive technique that does not expose the patient to harmful radiation.  The images from an MRI are very detailed and can help identify problems with soft tissue structures more accurately than an X-ray.  This is a valuable took when it comes to early diagnoses for serious conditions like tumors or cancer. 

Risks- If a patient has a metal plate in his/her body, it can distort the image.  Patients who have pacemakers or any metal implants near the eyes cannot be scanned by an MRI because the magnet can move the metal around.  Some patients may feel claustrophobic during an exam because they are in a magnetic tube.  Typically, the patient may hold a buzzer while being scanned and if they are not comfortable, they can push the buzzer to let the staff know they feel uncomfortable. 

About Spinal Decompression Therapy 

People suffering from a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, and face joint syndrome should consider spinal decompression therapy.  Patients can avoid back surgery if they choose to receive this chiropractic treatment.  Back surgery is often a painful experience and has many risks and complications.  It is best to avoid surgery if possible.  This type of treatment has been a breakthrough in the medical world because of its effective results and long term pain relief.  Spinal decompression therapy works by gently massaging and stretching the spine, removing strain off the discs and vertebra.  You should consider spinal decompression treatment if you are dependant on medications to relieve pain, limited to daily activities, received epidurals but don’t feel any pain relief, and/or considering surgery. 

Decompression Machine

The DRX 9000, a spinal decompression machine, is the most widely used treatment option in theU.S.  This specific machine focuses on relieving chronic pain caused by bulging and herniated discs.  During treatment, the machine will stretch segments of the spine to relieve tension on the affected nerves.  It will also help to properly align the spine.  Once the spine is realigned it improves the body’s range of motion.  Once the range of motion has improved, pain decreases because there is less pressure on the spine and joints.  The DRX9000 allows the vertebrae and damaged spinal discs a chance to heal because it frees up space between the two.  The machine includes a table that uses rollers and motors to adjust the spinal column at precise locations within the spine.  Tests preformed by the manufactures show an 88% success rate once treatment has been completed.  This machine also gives an alternative option to back surgery which leaves many patients with complications and problems in the long run.    

Costs

Spinal Decompression Therapy costs can range between $2000 – $6000 dollars, depending on where you go.  Also, it depends on what your insurance agrees to cover, this also varies person-to-person.  This amount of money may seem expensive, but when you consider all the other factors, it is relatively inexpensive.  If you considered having back surgery you would have to pay for the hospital and therapy costs and not to mention all the time off work you would have to take.  With spinal decompression treatment, you will not miss a day of work and you won’t have to cover hospital bills.  In addition, the risks of back surgery are very high and could cause complications.  The Journal of American Medical Association says there is no proof that surgery is more effective than non-invasive methods for patients with herniated discs and back pain.

If only a horse could talk like Mr. Ed, horse trainers and owners would be able to know immediately when a horse is experiencing pain and discomfort. Although they are not able to speak, symptoms of pain and dysfunction are usually evident in horses. While a horse chiropractor is not a replacement for a veterinarian, they can offer beneficial treatment for horses that have gait problems, muscle spasms, arthritis, nerve damage, difficulty with certain movements and more. Horses that are experiencing pain or discomfort with muscle spasms or arthritis will typically exhibit changes in their gait and posture. This pain can also cause a horse to display more irritability, to become more sensitive to touch and their level of performance may be affected negatively. Misalignments in the spine of a horse can lead to muscle stiffness, loss of flexibility and even muscular atrophy. Chiropractic care has been shown to successfully manage these health problems effectively.

Evaluation of the Horse

It is important to seek medical care from a veterinarian initially, to rule out any serious or life-threatening conditions that may be present. If chiropractic care is indicated for the horse, a chiropractic physician will begin with an evaluation of the horse by taking a history. This history is to determine past veterinary care and previous health problems, if any. The evaluation will also include analysis of the posture and gait of the horse as well as palpating the spine, joints and muscles of the horse while at rest and in motion. Once the history and evaluation have been completed, the chiropractor will perform an adjustment at the level of the spine where problems are present. This adjustment is performed with a low force, high velocity hand thrust to a specific spinal joint in an intended direction. The amount of continued chiropractic adjustments that are needed to resolve a health issue with a horse is directly dependent on the severity and longevity of the problem as well as the age and physical condition of the horse. Younger horses with little to no health problems will require a smaller amount of chiropractic treatments to resolve their issues. Older horses or those with more complicated health issues may need to receive care for an extended period of time. Some horses have musculoskeletal problems that will never fully resolve but that can be improved with the help of chiropractic care.

References Cited in this Article

www.avcadoctors.com

www.eec-equine-therapy.

An equine chiropractor is a chiropractic physician who has been educationally trained to perform manual chiropractic care on horses. Chiropractors who have a desire to provide treatment for animals are required to become certified with the ACCC (Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission). This commission is a part of the AVCA (American Veterinary Chiropractic Association). This association and commission were put in place to require chiropractic physicians be properly educated and knowledgeable when dealing with the health and welfare of animals. Most often, chiropractic physicians certified in animal care work closely with local veterinary clinics. Veterinarians may choose to refer certain patients to a chiropractor when an owner inquires about conservative treatment options for their pet. As with human patients, if an underlying health problem is detected and chiropractic care is not indicated, the doctor will not refer the animal for chiropractic care.

Complex and Prone to Injury

Horses have a spinal column that is complex and prone to injury in some areas. Obviously, the length of their spinal column is a great deal longer than that of a human spine. The spinal column of a horse consists of over 170 joints. This includes 2 sacroiliac joints, 36 costovertebral joints, 36 costotransverse joints, 6 to 8 intertransverse joints, 1 joint of the dens, 64 zygapophyseal joints and 30 intervertebral discs. This complex spinal column allows for movements like arching the back, moving the head and allowing the horse to laterally flex. Flexion-extension, lateral flexion and axial rotation are movements that a horse’s spinal column can perform. Because the spinal column of a horse is different compared to human anatomy, understanding the form and function of this spinal structure is important. A chiropractic physician that is certified to care for horses will be mindful of the relationship between the joints, the nerve supply to various segments of the spine, understand the muscle attachments and how they control the movements for the horse and they will be able to distinguish between proper and improper ranges of motion. Consultation with a chiropractic physician will begin with a history and physical examination of the horse. This exam will include gait and posture analysis, neurological and orthopedic examination and palpation of the spinal column both while the horse is at rest and in motion. Chiropractic manipulation for horses has been shown to provide neck and back pain relief in horses. It is also an effective tool when treating such issues as nerve damage and arthritis.

References Cited in this Article

www.equinenaturaltherapy.com

www.animalchiro.com

Chiropractic medicine is a beneficial complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. The profession has become more widely embraced by patients and other healthcare providers as a legitimate conservative treatment option for people who suffer from musculoskeletal problems. When a patient chooses a physician for their healthcare needs, they want to make sure that they are choosing the best specialist for their individual health needs. It is difficult to say who the “best” chiropractors are because that opinion is just that, an opinion. Because within the chiropractic profession there are many different forms of care provided, as a patient, it is a personal choice as to who they would like to choose as their chiropractic physician. Chiropractic physicians hold different practice philosophies and employ different techniques when treating their patients. For these reasons, prospective patients who are considering chiropractic care for treatment often times ask their primary care physician or family and friends for recommendations. Doing an online search of chiropractic physicians in an area is a good choice as well. This search will allow the patient to view pictures of the clinic, read about the doctor and their education, to see which forms of care they offer and what types of payment options are available.

Ask Questions

 When looking for an appropriate chiropractic physician to treat individual health needs, a patient should ask questions about the doctor’s treatment style. Are the spinal manipulations low force adjustments? Does the chiropractor use an activator tool more often than a manual adjustment? Is the chiropractic physician well experienced in treating the disorder that you are seeking help for? Does the chiropractor work well with other healthcare providers that you may be referred to? There are several statements that are red flags for a patient if they hear them from the chiropractic physician. If a chiropractor claims to a patient that their spinal manipulations can cure cancer, arthritis or other chronic health conditions, this would be a reason to choose a different chiropractor. Some chiropractors will offer spinal consultations to new patients and then ask them to sign up for prolonged treatment plans that are not medically necessary. These prolonged plans include signing up for 3 chiropractic visits per week for 6 to 12 months followed by 2 visits per week for an additional 6 to 12 months and then once per week for another 6 to 12 months. This would not be the best chiropractic physician choice. Once a patient is educated on the chiropractic profession and the differences between doctors, they will be able to confidently choose a provider that is a good fit for them.

References Cited in this Article

www.spine-health.com

www.consumerresearchcncl.org

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

With 26 bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles working together to provide stability, flexibility and movement, the human foot is designed to effortlessly manage the weight and motion of the entire body. Almost everyone, at one time or another, has experienced some form of foot discomfort. That is no surprise, as on average, our feet walk a distance of 1,000 miles per year and have to handle over one and half times our body weight while we walk. Although foot pain is common, it is not normal and therefore needs to be treated in order to prevent further damage to the foot and ankle. Foot orthotics are shoe inserts that are used to help absorb shock, thus providing pain relief by decreasing stress and pressure to the ankle and foot areas. Aside from acting as a shock absorber, foot orthotics also help to correct a noticed irregular walking pattern which, if left untreated, can cause pain and dysfunction in the foot, ankle and possibly also cause pain into the knees, hips and low back region. Anyone with flat feet, bunions, gait abnormalities, shin pain, chronic foot, leg and back pain or someone who has had several ankle sprains would benefit from the use of a foot orthotic.

Types of Orthotics

There are several types of orthotics available for a person suffering from foot discomfort. For someone who has never had an orthotic in the past, the first decision they will make will be to decide between a commercially-made orthotic that can be found at many retail stores or a custom-made orthotic. The kind of orthotic that is mass-produced and sold in stores has the disadvantage of being a “one-size-fits-all” sort of orthotic. These inserts cost less than a custom-made but are manufactured to fit an “average” foot and therefore may not provide the necessary support for certain individuals. In some cases, these orthotics, if they do not fit the foot correctly, can do further damage, causing more pain and possibly increased damage to other areas of the lower body. Custom-made orthotics are offered by providers such as podiatrists and chiropractors and are made by taking a “cast” of the patients foot, to get an accurate and complete image of the bottom of the foot, including problem areas that may be causing pain. Custom-made orthotics include functional and accommodative orthotics. Functional orthotics are used more with a person suffering with foot deformities and generally provide support to the rear and mid foot. Accommodative orthotics generally includes a soft shoe insert and is used more commonly in children with biomechanical walking problems and other minor foot problems.

References Cited in this Article

www.madsci.org

www.hss.edu

www.podiatrychannel.com

A CT scan is a computerized tomography scan that takes several x-rays from different angles to get cross-section images of the body. The images appear as slices and the radiologist and primary care physician can look at the individual slices or combine them to get a 3-D image of the bodily structures. Because of the slices and 3-D ability, CT scans are more visually helpful compared to a regular x-ray. A CT scan can provide images of bones and soft tissues to help a physician make a diagnosis while treating a patient. Because a CT scan can provide images of soft tissues, a physician may order these scans for views of the brain and also look for any blockage in arteries and veins using a contrast for better enhancement of the blood flow. If a contrast CT scan is ordered, contrast material is given to the patient either orally, through an intravenous line (IV) or rectally, for the viewing of the intestines. Unlike an MRI or ultrasound, during a CT scan, a patient will be exposed to a higher level of radiation, more than received during an x-ray. Although this exposure is brief, someone who is pregnant is not allowed to receive a CT scan due to the radiation risks to the unborn baby.

A Great Tool for Viewing

CT scans are often ordered by a chiropractic physician when simple x-ray images are not enough. This diagnostic imaging tool helps the chiropractor to see bodily structures that require a more detailed understanding of the dysfunction that is present and causing the patient pain. It is a great tool for viewing spinal structures as well as joints of the extremities. A CT scan allows a good view of fractures found in the spine and other bones of the body and will also show any disc herniation that may be present. Although inferior to an MRI, CT scans are effective enough to be routinely ordered by chiropractors for, most commonly, bony structures. Typically, a chiropractic office does not have a CT unit on site due to the cost of the unit and the amount of space it takes up so therefore a patient who needs a scan will be referred to an imaging clinic for the test. Once a CT scan has been performed, the images are stored in a computer and read by a radiologist. The results are then given to the chiropractic physician who will be able to determine if chiropractic treatment is indicated for future care for the patient or if they need to be referred to a specialist for a different treatment plan.

References Cited in this Article

www.mayoclinic.com

www.spineuniverse.com