What We Treat

Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome can experience anything from tingling, to burning, or numbness in the hand
and fingers, especially in the area of the thumb and first two fingers. This is caused by the nerves getting compressed in the carpal tunnel of the wrist, often from chronic over usage like using a computer or repetitive manual labor. In some cases, strength and mobility in the affected hand can be significantly reduced as well. If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can become a chronic condition that makes it difficult for those who need to use the affected hand due to significant pain levels.

The Graston Technique® has proven to help in the healing of patients with many cumulative trauma disorders including carpal tunnel syndrome. When a health professional uses The Graston Technique® in combination with chiropractic and suggested exercises for the injured hand then recovery time is generally accelerated. When this technique is used the therapist is able to penetrate the area deeper than a hand therefore providing better results in less time. Many carpal tunnel syndrome patients agree that this method of treatment works well and, in many cases, has saved carpal tunnel syndrome sufferers from having surgery.

Ear infection (Otitis Media) is an inner ear infection generally caused from a blockage of the Eustachian tubes. The Eustachian tube allows equalized pressure on the eardrum and allows fluid to drain away from the inner ear. When the Eustachian tube is blocked, fluid builds up and causes an infection. The transverse process, bones sticking out from the sides of a vertebrae, run next to the Eustachian tubes at C1, the first Cervical vertebrae. When a vertebra is misaligned or subluxated, swollen tissue will result causing the Eustachian tubes to block. By removing the subluxations at C1 and C2 you can reduce the tissue swelling around the Eustachian tubes and allow the inner ear to drain, clearing the infection within a couple days in many cases.

Fibromyalgia is a common condition characterized by widespread pain in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Some other problems commonly linked with fibromyalgia include fatigue, morning stiffness, sleep problems, headaches, numbness in hands and feet, depression, and anxiety. Fibromyalgia can develop on its own, or secondary to other musculoskeletal conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia requires a history of at least three months of widespread pain, and pain and tenderness in a least 11 of 18 tender-point sites. These tender-point sites include fibrous tissue or muscles of the neck, shoulders, chest, rib cage, lower back, thighs, knees, arms (elbows) and buttocks. The overwhelming characteristic of fibromyalgia is long-standing, body-wide pain with defined tender points. Tender points are distinct from trigger points seen in other pain syndromes. (Unlike tender points, trigger points can occur in isolation and represent a source of radiating pain, even in the absence of direct pressure.) Fibromyalgia pain can mimic the pain experienced by people with various types of arthritis. The soft-tissue pain of fibromyalgia is described as deep-aching, radiating, gnawing, shooting or burning, and ranges from mild to severe. People with fibromyalgia tend to waken with body aches and stiffness.

Between the vertebrae of your spine are 23 discs which act as a spacer and shock absorber. These discs have soft, gel-like centers surrounded by layers of fibrous tissues. Sometimes, due to an injury or even just aging, the material in the middle of a disc pushes to one side or even ruptures. This is called a bulging or herniated disc.

Where it occurs: Bulging or herniated discs can appear in the neck (cervical spine), low back (lumbar spine) and middle and upper back (thoracic spine).

Chiropractic adjustments may help you reduce your chance of having a herniated disk. Practice good posture – standing and sitting straight, keeping your back straight when lifting. Maintain a healthy weight. Exercise regularly. Ask your chiropractor about exercises to strengthen your back and stomach. Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. If you sit often, stand up every 20 to 25 minutes and walk for several minutes.

Symptoms

Treatment
Chiropractic care works on correcting misaligned or out of place vertebrae and can remove the pressure placed on the nerve endings that line the surface of the joint and course through the space between the joints, reducing pain and improving flexibility and function.

Knee problems can result due to direct trauma of the knee but also can result in part due to rotational misalignments of the pelvis and/or misalignments of the foot and ankle. Addressing all misalignment issues as well as any potential soft tissue problems may help improve range of motion and reduce pain.

The majority of back pain patients have not experienced any trauma, accidents or major injuries prior to the onset of their problem. The cause of most back pain is the cumulative effect of improper sitting posture, poor work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of proper exercise and other lifestyle-related factors. All of these factors cause stress and imbalances on the spine and eventually pain. This is why people often injure their back by just bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The spine was already compromised and just the simple act of bending was enough to set off the problem. When this occurs, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. In the US, low back pain is one of the most common conditions and one of the leading causes of physician visits. In fact, at least four out of five adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Thirty-one million Americans have low back pain at any given time. One half of all working Americans admit to having back symptoms each year. One third of all Americans over age 18 had a back problem in the past five years severe enough for them to seek professional help. And the cost of this care is estimated to be a staggering $50 billion yearly–and that’s just for the more easily identified costs!

Common migraine is a disorder involving recurrent headaches, which may be accompanied by symptoms other than headache, but which rarely include a preliminary warning (called an aura). Migraine headaches affect about 6 out of 100 people. They are a common type of chronic headache. They most commonly occur in women and usually begin between the ages of 10 and 46. In some cases, they appear to run in families. Migraines occur when blood vessels of the head and neck spasm or constrict, which decreases blood flow to the brain. Minutes to hours later, the blood vessels dilate (enlarge), resulting in a severe headache. Pain sometimes may be worse on the sides of the forehead or be on only one side of the forehead and commonly lasts 6 to 48 hours. Inflammation around the blood vessels also occurs in some cases. Common migraine may be accompanied by symptoms other than headache but only rarely includes any preceding symptoms (aura). Migraines may also appear as classic migraine (a migraine preceded by other symptoms) and other rare forms.

Symptoms

Although neck pain can be caused by injury, such as ‘whiplash’ injuries, it is often caused by the cumulative effect of improper sitting posture, reading in bed, poor work habits, stomach sleeping, lack of proper exercise and other lifestyle-related factors. All of these factors cause misalignments in the spine and eventually pain. In fact, the most important factor producing neck pain appears to be spinal misalignments. Even for people who complain that “stress” is causing their pain, the great majority of those have significant spinal misalignments that are contributing to their condition.

Uncorrected chronic spinal misalignments can eventually cause neck pain. As a spinal misalignment worsens, pressure can be put on delicate nerves, sending the surrounding neck muscles go into painful and movement-limiting spasm, headache, even numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or hands.

Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot and connects the heel bone to the toes (plantar fascia). Plantar fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As you get up and move, the pain normally decreases, but it might return after long periods of standing or when you stand up after sitting.

About half of all expectant mothers will develop lower back pain sometime during their pregnancy. With the average weight gain of 25 to 30lbs, you will find your center of gravity shifting and causing additional stress on your lower back. Many women have found relief to their lower back pain and have had easier deliveries by receiving chiropractic care throughout their pregnancy. Scientific studies have found that spinal manipulation carries no increased risk to the mother or baby. Chiropractic care is also helpful after delivery as your body starts to tighten up those loose ligaments that developed during your pregnancy. It is important to make sure your joints are aligned before your muscles return back to their pre-pregnancy state. Don’t forget to have your newborn baby checked while you’re at it.

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Treatment
Chiropractic care works on correcting misalignments that cause lower back pain associated with pregnancy.

Sciatica is defined as pain that radiates from the lower back into the buttocks and down the back of one or both legs, caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerves, the largest nerves of the body. It usually begins as an acute pain in the lower back and then radiates down the back of either or both legs. There are 5 pairs of nerves that exit the spine in the lower back. These nerves make up what we know as the sciatic nerves. If the vertebrae or bones in the lower back are misaligned or out of place, or the disc between the vertebrae are swollen, bulged or herniated, the result is pressure on those nearby nerves. This can cause tremendous pain and normal daily activities become almost impossible.

A lateral curvature of the spine, scoliosis affects boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18. It is more common with girls. There are several causes of scoliosis, the two most common are congenital and habitual. Congenital scoliosis occurs when someone is born with a lateral curvature of the spine. Habitual causes are environmental or situational depending on the habits of the individual. Carrying backpacks improperly can contribute to a spinal distortion. Poor sitting habits and practicing poor posture can also affect spinal development in children. Signs of scoliosis are a high hip (uneven hips), a high shoulder, the head being off center, head tilt, back and leg pain.

Injuries to the shoulder can include any of the following:

Soft tissue work including Graston Technique®, massage, stretching/exercises coupled with chiropractic adjustments to the shoulder, neck and upper back may help to improve pain
free range of motion.

A condition involving pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, usually associated with muscle tightness in these areas. Tension headaches are one of the most common forms of headache. They can occur at any age but are most common in adults and adolescents. If a headache occurs two or more times weekly for several months or longer, the condition is considered chronic. Tension headaches result from the contraction of neck and scalp muscles. One cause of this muscle contraction is a response to stress, depression or anxiety. Any activity that causes the head to be held in one position for a long time without moving can cause a headache. Such activities include typing or use of computers, fine work with the hands, and use of a microscope. Sleeping in a cold room or sleeping with the neck in an abnormal position can also trigger this type of headache. Other causes include spinal misalignment, eye strain, fatigue, alcohol use, excessive smoking, excessive caffeine use, sinus infection, nasal congestion, overexertion, colds, and influenza. Tension headaches are not associated with structural lesions in the brain.

Symptoms

Treatment
Chiropractic care works on correcting misalignments that cause headaches and relieving symptoms associated with tension headaches.

An injury to the soft tissues of the neck that occurs from a sudden jerking or “whipping” of the head. This type of motion strains the muscles and the ligaments of the neck beyond their normal range of motion. Whiplash often occurs when a vehicle stops suddenly in a car crash or is struck from behind. Either of these two actions causes things in the vehicle to be thrown forward – including passengers. A seat belt will keep a person’s body from being thrown forward, but the head may snap forward, then backward, causing a whiplash injury in the neck. In addition to car accidents, whiplash can be caused by roller coasters and other amusement park rides, sports injuries, or being punched or shaken. Whiplash is one of the hallmarks of shaken baby syndrome.

Often, you feel pain and stiffness in your neck for the first few days following a whiplash injury. Then, you feel better, but the pain and stiffness may come back several days later. The discomfort you feel may involve surroundings muscle groups in your head, chest, shoulders, and arms.

Symptoms

Treatment
Chiropractic care works on correcting the complications and relieving pain associated with whiplash injuries.