Posts Tagged ‘back pain’

San Diego Chiropractor Asks: Did You Know That Just a Few Extra Pounds Can Put Your Joints on Overload?

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

San Diego Chiropractor

As a San Diego Chiropractor, I counsel many individuals who come to my clinic who want to lose weight. I know how hard it can be, and I also know how important it is to lose those extra pounds. What’s a few extra pounds? Over time, those pounds can add up to a substantial number of health problems from heart and pulmonary diseases and diabetes to back problems and joint degeneration. Extra pounds put harmful stress on organs, like the heart, and on joints in the low back, hips, and knees. A shocking 62% of American adults are overweight or obese, according to recent studies. That is an extremely compelling percentage and an enormous dilemma (no pun intended).

It is likely no surprise to you to learn that the human body was not intended to carry around overplus poundage in the form of body fat. Just 20 or 30 extra pounds can literally overload and even overwhelm the musculoskeletal system. Excess weight in the tummy, for instance, requires that the body compensate (counterbalance the weight) by tilting the pelvis forward. This angle creates compression in the joints of the low back. Painful inflammation results as this joint compression restricts nerve activity. Nearly all individuals who are overweightfeel substantial pain in their low back caused by  a compressed sciatic nerve or misalignments of the spinal column that impinge nerves due to weight-bearing stresses. If not addresses, misaligned vertebra not only persist in irritating the degenerative changes that have already taken place, but can produce new arthritic changes in the spine in the future.

Are you wondering how chiropractic can help? First of all, to be clear, a healthy body weight is required in order for the musculoskeletal system to perform in the way it is built to. That said, in addition, chiropractic adjustments relieve nerve impingements in the spine and help to get movement back into the joints of the musculoskeletal system, such as in the low back, hips, and knees. And, certainly exercise and physical activity will be a lot easier, and healthier for the body, when the spine is in alignment and the joints have good motion. Not only will exercise help with weight reduction, but it can actually delay degenerative changes as the body ages.

Healthcare professionals, like your chiropractor, can advise you regarding your diet and exercise alternatives. In addition to helping men and women suffering from back pain and joint inflammation, chiropractors can provide expert advice on the particular lifestyle modifications that can help an individual to stay healthier, more vital, and more active through the years. Arthritis and immobility due to aging don’t have to be inevitable. The human body was intended for a lifetime of pain-free movement.

So, if those extra pounds have been sneaking up on you, and they’ve turned into a surprising load of pain, as your San Diego chiropractor and someone who understands, I can help. Make an appointment today!

Chiropractor in San Jose Reveals That Chiropractic Care Has the Capability to Ease Low Back Pain Due to Arthritis

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

San Jose Chiropractor

There is an assortment of possible treatments from which you’re able to select when it comes to your low back pain and annoyance in various other parts of your body due to arthritic alterations, not to mention visiting your chiropractor in San Jose. Yet, plenty of people who are being affected by debilitating arthritis and low back pain nonetheless imagine that they are required to search for a medical doctor as the correct way to discover a cure for their situation. All the same, you may be amazed to find out that not many medical doctors can help men and women alleviate, or by natural means minimize the problems of back pain as a result of arthritis. Rather than being accustomed to determining and treating the root cause of the annoyance you are feeling, medical doctors commonly deal with simply your symptoms, that one could do not just for pain reprieve, but to actually slow down arthritic changes in your body.

Finding a San Jose chiropractor is genuinely among the very best things that you can do to assist your arthritis and lumbar pain. Chiropractors are doctors who concentrate solely on working on the musculoskeletal system, and arthritis is a joint affliction. Chiropractic assistance has aided many individuals in slowing the process of arthritis by getting their joints in motion. Motion is crucial for joint health. A good chiropractor is very skillful in caring for lumbar pain, even when it is brought on by arthritis

If you have never gone to a chiropractor in the past, you might be somewhat concerned about what is going to happen once you are in the office. It might help to present a quick overview of what you can expect. You’ll be asked about your medical history, which will oftentimes include a family account of arthritis. The chiropractor will certainly ask about your present diet and lifestyle and may recommend explicit alterations that may be very useful in lessening the irritation attributable to arthritis. And, finally, you will receive a comprehensive examination. After the examination is done, the chiropractor will let you know if chiropractic care can help your low back pain, and also decrease your hurtful arthritic symptoms. your Then you will learn about the actual care you’ll really need.

A chiropractic adjustment reduces pain safely and naturally, and it is a painless approach. And, the most wonderful factor of going to a chiropractor for your low back pain and arthritis is that you can feel confident that the root cause of your pain is being taken care of, and that the comfort you experience doesn’t involve hiding the manifestation of pain, but actually eliminating the basis of your problem.

If You Want to Avoid Golf Injuries, Shape Up!

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Sacramento Chiropractor

Injuries are not uncommon with any sort of sport. The smart thing to do is to find out what injury is likely to take place in a specific sport and then to do as much as you can to avoid it. Unfortunately, sports injuries can’t always be avoided. Consequently, it’s advantageous to be in good physical shape to make injury less predictable, or less traumatic.   Prior to beginning a sport, such as golf, the most important thing you can do is to be confident that you have a suitable fitness level. You just might keep your body safe from injury if you adhere to these general guidelines: Perpetuate a healthy lifestyle; make sure your joints are mobile and your muscles are limber; prepare your body before to activity; use proper form and good postures while actively playing; allow yourself plenty of cool down and relaxation time.

Golf injuries don’t only happen to amateurs. It has been estimated that almost a third of pro golfers playing in the same time frame are playing injured. The good news is that general good health and fitness can reduce the number of injuries that you may acquire and could conceivably deter them altogether.

Proper body strength in the muscle areas most used during golf is vital. But, before you attempt to build muscle strength, it’s prudent to make certain your spine is aligned and has good mobility. A injury-free golf swing hinges on your spine’s ability to efficiently rotate efficiently. Back injuries are the most widespread type of injuries experienced by golfers. To insure that your spine is in appropriate alignment and there is efficient movement in the vertebrae, see your chiropractor in Sacramento. Chiropractic treatment can go a long way in helping you to avoid back injury.

Once you’re “straightened” it’s time to strengthen. Being prepared for your golf game is essential to safe, injury-free action on the green. Golf stretching and flexibility routines will warm up your muscles and make injury them less likely. Flexibility in all parts of the body can be increased fairly quickly through full body range of motion (ROM) exercises. Additionally, elastic band conditioning can provide distinct golf range of motion advantages and can increase needed strength in the shoulders, hips and deep muscles of the core. Since elastic band training provides the dynamic resistance that ordinary weight lifting does not, sports professionals, like your chiropractor, are making them a part of their golf conditioning programs.

Along with back injuries, a large number of golfers suffer from “Golfer’s Elbow.” Although golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow are almost the same injuries, there is a minute difference between them. Whereas the outside of the upper arm is disturbed in tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow affects the inner arm. Golfer’s elbow, like tennis elbow, can be a reaction to a single extreme action, such as (in golf) striking the mat at the driving range or striking a hard fairway surface. Although, it generally develops from repetitive stress from smaller shocks. Moreover, it can happen to those who abruptly start playing too much golf. For example, if those that usually play golf once or twice a month elect to play in a tournament, they are conceivably at risk for contracting the injury.

Golf makes unique requirements on the body. The game is ordinarily longer than the majority of other sports and that can result in fatigue. Bad posture and lack of coordination are normally the consequences of a fatigued body. Together, these two components can produce an assortment of injuries. In addition, due to constant swinging of the golf clubs, the shoulder muscles are subject to injury. Just as great care should be taken to make certain that your muscles are stretched and warmed up prior to starting your golf game, be sure to rest your body properly between games.

A surprising injury on occasion related to golf is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. But, this injury can be caused by numerous games of golf played over several months repetitively as it is an affliction that comes about due to repetitive stress Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be a severe injury creating incapacitation and occasionally needing surgery. However, chiropractic management and, sometimes the use of a brace will help the condition if a health professional, such as your chiropractor, discovers it at an early stage.

The majority of golfers seem to feel that injuries are just an unavoidable part of a golfer’s life. But, a healthy, mobile spine, judicious preparation, specific exercise and muscle conditioning, attaining and maintaining a a suitable fitness level, and sensible rest and recuperation after your game is over, can make injuries far less a part of your golfing experience.

Dr. Yong Kim is a chiropractor in Sacramento with over thirteen years of experience helping thousands of patients get out of pain and get their lives back. His office is located at 1707 Professional Drive, Sacramento, CA 95825. He has special training in the area of sports injuries. Dr Kim is himself an avid health enthusiast. For more information go to his website at http://www.sacramentochiropractor.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yong_J_Kim


Can a Chiropractor Help Scoliosis?

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Scoliosis: An Introduction

When the body is seen from behind, a normal spine looks straight without much deviation from side-to-side. Therefore, if the spine is observed to have a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature, the individual might have a condition called scoliosis.This affliction frequently gives the appearance of the person leaning to one side although it should not be confused with unsatisfactory posture. Scoliosis is a puzzling deformity that is characterized by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra often causing a symptomatic “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is created by the vertebrae in the zone of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their attached ribs posterior thus creating the distinctive rib hump seen in thoracic scoliosis. If the thoracic curve and rib rotation are severe, greater than 70 degrees, pulmonary and cardiac function can be interfered with. Frequently later in life in untreated severe idiopathic infantile and juvenile scoliosis patients, this amount of curve and resulting cardiac and pulmonary changes can be life threatening.

Anatomy

If you were to observe the trunk from a side view, the spine would disclose four normal curves: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. The thoracic, in the chest area, has a normal round curve, “reversed C,” called a kyphosis, while in the lower spine there is a healthy “C” curve, known as swayback or lordosis. Hyperlordosis is the term used to describe increased swayback, while increased kyphosis in the thoracic spine is called hyperkyphosis. Changes from normal that are visible from a side view generally accompany scoliosis changes. Postural exercises can correct some round back deformities that are simply due to poor posture. A small number of patients with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are coincidental with vertebral deformity. This type of deformity, called Scheuermann’s kyphosis, is much more difficult to treat than postural kyphosis, and it’s cause is unknown.

Even a nonprofessional can help to identify a child or adult with scoliosis simply by observing the person in a standing position, preferably bare-chested and in shorts, and observing the following:

  • One shoulder may be higher than the other.
  • One scapula (shoulder blade) may be higher or more prominent than the other.
  • There may be more space between the arm and the body on one side when the arms hang loosely at the side.
  • One hip may seem to be more elevated or more prominent than the other.
  • The head is not aligned with the pelvis.
  • One side of the back appears more elevated than the other when the individual is observed from the rear and asked to flex forward until the the spine is horizontal.

Once scoliosis is detected, the child or adult should be sent to a healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, for further assessment. your chiropractor would be happy to help.

There are many different roots and many types of scoliosis, however the most prevalent, by far, is Idiopathic Scoliosis, which accounts for approximately 85 % of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is witnessed with equal occurrence in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. This affliction can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent types, based upon the age of onset. Idiopathic Scoliosis may be due to genetic or hereditary influences as it commonly runs in families. However girls, for unknown reasons are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves grow in size and require treatment. As the term “Idiopathic Scoliosis” suggests, this kind of scoliosis usually happens when children are finishing their last major growth spurt. It is a good idea to have this age group examined by a professional on a regular basis because young people are reluctant to allow their body to be viewed by parents or other adults.

If a scoliotic curve is discovered in the growing adolescent, it is vital that the curves be monitored for change by periodic examination and from time to time standing X-rays. In ninety percent of cases, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, but increases in spinal deformity demand evaluation to decide if a brace or other treatment is required. In a small number of patients, surgical treatment may be necessary.~Surgery may be required for a small number of people.

Brace support (orthosis) is recommended for both juvenile and adolescent children when an increase in their scoliosis or kyphosis is identified, or when new symptoms of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis are diagnosed. There are quite a few styles of braces, all designed to prevent curves from increasing by acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Braces normally will not make the spine completely straight, and cannot always keep a curve from increasing. However, bracing is effectual in stopping curve progression in a significant portion of skeletally-immature adolescents.

Scoliosis has no simple solution. The majority of cases, even though frequently monitored, are not actively treated. Severe conditions are infrequently treated surgically, but the common medical treatment for moderate cases is a brace. You may want to see your local chiropractor first.

Specialized exercise, electric stimulation of spinal muscles, nutritional programs, and chiropractic treatments are among the complementary modalities used in addition to bracing. It appears that the most effective results have been sustained with a multi-faceted approach to the management of this affliction.

There are chiropractors, that have excellent success managing scoliosis symptoms.

Chiropractic Treatment Helps Low Back Pain

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

Can Chiropractic Help Back Pain?

Low Back Pain

Low back pain is second in commonality only to the common cold. It affects more than 80% of people. Although most of us are aware that the common cold is due to a viral infection, back pain is often perplexing to its sufferers. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor is an expert at solving that mystery.

Anatomy

Knowledge of the anatomy of the spine is essential in understanding back pain. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back are made of posterior joints called facets that link vertebrae to one another and serve to direct the motion of the spine. Inter-vertebral discs, made of strong cartilage, connect the bodies of the vertebrae. This dense cartilage encases the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The main function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also connect the vertebrae. The sacrum is a wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine. It is joined to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. In a canal positioned between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. The spinal nerves exit the spine between the vertebrae.

Causes of Back Pain

Most back pain patients have not experienced any trauma, accidents or major injuries prior to the onset of their problem. The cumulative effects of unhealthy sitting posture, poor work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of proper exercise, and other negative lifestyle-related factors cause most back pain.  These cumulative factors produce stresses and imbalances on the spine and, therefore, people may injure their back merely by bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The instability of the spine makes it vulnerable to even the most simple movements, such as bending. When this comes about, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.

Disc Problems & Sciatica

Prolonged sitting, particularly in a awkward position produces increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles surrounding the spine. Eventually the lower spine loses its customary function and no longer can make room for the normal day-to-day stresses in ones life. Ultimately, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, permitting the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it produces the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. Sciatica develops when the disc presses on the spinal nerve. The symptoms of sciatica include pain, tingling, numbness, and often weakness in the lower extremities. Sometimes if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition is not managed correctly, surgery is necessary to clear away the herniated disc material. With chiropractic adjustments and care, which often includes postural exercises, most disc complications, including sciatica, can be mended. If you are experiencing any of the problems defined above, it is very important for you to seek chiropractic attention.

Spondylosis

Repetitive injury to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments may cause increased wear and tear and weight-bearing stress on the spine. This stress can adversely affect the cartilage around the joints and engender calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae, forming bone spurs. These spurs can compress adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This compression causes a form of arthritis, called Spondylosis, that can also occur as part of the aging process of the spine. Nevertheless, determinants such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic adjustments and overall chiropractic management is extraordinarily helpful in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as helping Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor has helped many Spondylosis sufferers.

Sacroiliac Problems

Another common area of dysfunction or injury in the low back is in the sacroiliac joints. These weight-bearing joints link the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are usually very strong and stable. However with disturbances such as falls, sports injuries, or lifting heavy objects, the joints can become unstable and relocate to an abnormal position.  This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Pregnancy can also cause this condition. Sacroiliac subluxation causes imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. Pain happens particularly with prolonged standing and walking, or during and after physical activity, and the individual may experience a lack of energy and feeling tired easily.  Often this imbalance can affect structures further up the spine and people can develop neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches. Chiropractic adjustments and treatment are extremely effective in fixing this problem by establishing proper alignment of the joints.. Ask your Fort Worth chiropractor how you can experience effective pain relief.

Spinal Subluxation

Subluxated or misaligned facets joints are a prevalent disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine. Subluxations can happen on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. Subluxations are not only painful, but they can compress the nerves as they exit the foramen (or spaces) between the vertebrae, causing paraesthesia. Paraesthesia is an alteration of sensation described as a tingling, burning or “funny feeling.” Paraesthesia in the upper extremities oftenoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is most often associated with nerve challengesin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also becorrelated with, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best eliminated by chiropractic adjustments.

Trauma

Trauma such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can create over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine and lower back and produce extensive pain and immobility. Corrective chiropractic treatment at the onset of symptoms is very important in order to avoid long term disability and the development of any of the above conditions. If you experience a trauma, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is often associated with low back pain. Chiropractic care offers exceptional pain relief.

When it comes to the spine, chiropractors have more education and training than medical doctors. I can provides state of the art diagnosis and skilled treatment for any of the above-mentioned conditions of the spine and lower back.

Can Chiropractic and Acupuncture Approaches Help Your Back Pain?

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

It isn’t always requisite for you to search for a common healing approach if you are experiencing back pain.  As a matter of fact, some natural techniques may actually be able to aid you in overcoming the pain, even when medical science is ineffectual in doing so.  An explanation for this is that natural approaches tend to look for a cure for the genuine cause of the problem while medical techniques treat merely the symptoms.  If you’re curious about natural approaches that have been shown to be effective in helping back pain and a number of other problems, you need look no further than chiropractic and acupuncture.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been implemented for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine.  It is earning popularity many places around the world and for a splendid reason: A larger majority of sufferers have undergone relief from their back pain and a number of other health challenges by coming in to see an acupuncturist on a routine basis.  According to traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy, small needles are introduced into the body at precise points that are known to affect various areas of the body.  In traditional therapy, only the needles are used, however at times and especially these days, tiny electrical currents are passed through the needles into the body.  Even though it may seem as if it would hurt, it rarely ever does and, moreover, many people experience relaxation and pleasurable sensations during acupuncture treatments.

Chiropractic

A Honolulu chiropractor, also called a doctor of chiropractic, has been treating people suffering from back pain and other problems for over a hundred years. A chiropractor cares for those who are suffering from musculoskeletal and nervous system problems. Chiropractic medicine treats the misalignments of the vertebral column that hamper the function of the nervous system. These misaligned vertebra can lower resistance and immunity, therefore creating new health problems. An effectual chiropractor has superb observational and diagnostic skills that help in uncovering physical irregularities and joint conditions. Many chiropractors complete neurological tests and orthopedic examinations. Some will analyze the posture of a person in an effort to identify postural deviations, and additionally may analyze an individuals gait to determine faulty movement patterns. Chiropractic care non-surgical, drug-free treatment as well as advice and education about the benefits of individual lifestyle changes, such as in exercise and nutrition.

So, if you are experiencing back pain, headaches, neck pain, hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, balance challenges, or arthritis, and you’ve tried a number of other things and they don’t seem to work, it could be time for you to try chiropractic and acupuncture.  One way to find out  for sure is to visit a good chiropractor or acupuncturist, and to allow them to clarify for you exactly what they can do for you.  More than likely you will experience some relief from your suffering even after only one visit.  With subsequent visits, you will continue to make improvements, and you might just determine that these natural treatments work best for your back pain.

Extra Weight around the Middle Points to Additional Pain in the Back

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Costa Mesa Chiropractor

There are many people today struggling with weight loss on a regular basis, particularly too much weight around the middle. However, the necessity to lose weight is, quite frequently, more than merely a cosmetic issue.  The fact of the matter is, if people are walking around with too much weight in their midsection, their back is going to be adversely affected as an outcome.

Most people who are overweight encounter moderate to severe back pain. This occurs because the spine was not designed to carry anything that is more substantial in weight than the body is at its normally healthy weight.  As an individual puts on extra weight, the spine starts to distort and to compress, producing a lot of pain and discomfort.  The pelvis can conjointly be affected and become tilted forward forcing it to pinch the sciatic nerve. This is a primary reason why people who are overweight tend to have challenges with their lower back. The affliction is due to either sciatica or the distorting of the spinal column.

If this situation sounds sorely familiar, and you’d like to get out pain, undoubtedly the thing to do is to eliminate extra weight that you are carrying around, and your spine will start to respond and return to its regular position.  But, weight loss is difficult and it can take time, even with the best of intentions. But, luckily you don’t have to endure back pain as you lose the weight. A Costa Mesa chiropractor can offer the pain relief you’ll require to help you as you shed the extra pounds.

However, you will still need to lose the extra weight, and being free of back pain will genuinely assist you in doing it. Losing the extra weight naturally and healthfully is crucial, and there are two (simple but not easy) things that will definitely work: Get some sort of exercise each day, even if it’s just a bit, and be certain that you take in fewer calories than you burn! Sure, you’ve heard about these two things before. But, now that you’re aware your back is depending on you, it definitely time to get truly motivated.

Start exercising slowly, expressly if you’re having problems with back pain. And, most importantly, be sure to seek out Costa Mesa chiropractic care so that you don’t make the blunder that many people do, which is exercising into the pain. That will definitely make matters worse. Exercise, though sometimes uncomfortable, should never be painful or cause pain. That’s why seeing a chiropractor is essential if you’re suffering from back pain.

Do simple stretching exercises and also concentrate on your core abdominal body muscles. Strong stomach muscles aid in relieving back pain. Your chiropractor will be able to offer exercises that are best for you, individually. Within just a week or two of dedication to losing the weight that is causing your back pain and perhaps other health problems as well, you should begin to notice an enormous difference in the way that you feel.