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Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common ailments
afflicting society today. In the United States alone, back pain
accounts for more than 7,000,000 new cases and 250,000 surgeries each
year. In fact, nearly all of us will experience some degree of back
pain at least once in our lifetime. Our lower back is especially
vulnerable to this malady, mostly due to increased weight bearing,
mechanical stress, and the lack of rib support to this region.
There are many causes of lower back pain but the most common cause is
mechanical stress. Mechanical stress can be considered the action of
movement under the presence of weight. For instance, when you bend
forward with the knees straight, pick up an object, and twist while
lifting that object, you apply a great deal of mechanical stress to the
lower back. This is especially true if you lift the object with your
arms away from your body.
The lower back is especially susceptible to
this malady. This is because the lower back receives more weight and
has less support from the mid-back region, due to the lack of ribs. To
make matters worse, the lowest part of the lower back usually houses
the largest nerve with the smallest space for that nerve to exit the
spine. This nerve, is called the L5/S1 or Sciatic Nerve. It can be the
source of lower back and/or leg pain (commonly called sciatica) when
the lower back is out of alignment, becomes diseased, or the muscles
and tissues surrounding the spine become inflamed.
Back pain can range from mild stiffness to
the inability to move, bend, or walk, without great difficulty. Back
pain can be constant or may be intermittent (come and go.) The pain can
be dull and aching or sharp and stabbing. There may also be numbness or
tingling, a sensation of heat, or weakness in one or both legs. In some
cases, leg symptoms will present without back pain. Again, this may be
due to irritation of the sciatic nerve by something like a disc that is
bulging to the side. (Discs that bulge more to a side are more likely
to cause leg pain as the predominant or only symptom. Discs that bulge
more to the middle are more likely to cause back symptoms, rather than
leg symptoms.)
Whatever the symptoms, back pain is the sign
that something is wrong and if mild symptoms persist or worsen over two
or three days, you should seek professional help. If your pain happened
due to an injury, you should seek attention as soon as possible.
Treatment outcome is often greatly improved by treating pain from an
injury as soon as possible.
A Doctor of Chiropractic is trained and
licensed in the diagnosis of back pain. Through careful history,
examination, and the aid of x-rays, or in rare cases, if needed,
computer tomography, or MRI. A Doctor of Chiropractic can often
determine the cause of your back pain and recommend a treatment
program.
How chiropractors treat back
pain...
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Neck Pain
Neck pain can range from mild stiffness upon
neck movement to sharp neck pain with pain shooting into an arm or
hand. Mild neck pain is usually the result of strain but can also be a
warning sign of a more serious condition that may include underlying
structural damage from infection, structural anomalies (bones and
joints that did not grow properly) inflammation from arthritis,
disease, or malignancy (cancer.) If you experience neck pain that
persists or worsens for over two or three days, you should seek
professional help. [If you experience high fever and the onset of neck
pain, you should seek help immediately as neck pain that occurs with a
high fever could be related to a serious infection such as meningitis.]
Also, if your pain happened due to an injury, you should seek attention
as soon as possible. Treatment outcome is often greatly improved by
treating pain from an injury as soon as possible.
A Doctor of Chiropractor is trained and
licensed in the diagnosis of neck pain. Through careful history,
examination, and the aid of x-rays, or in rare cases, if needed,
computer tomography, or MRI. A Doctor of Chiropractic can often
determine the cause of your back pain and recommend a treatment
program.
Chiropractors commonly adjust (manipulate)
misaligned cervical vertebra (the bones of the neck) to relieve neck
pain. Your chiropractor may recommend avoiding certain activities and
give you back and neck strengthening exercises, too. This will help
prevent re-injury.
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Headaches
Headaches can come in many forms from the
dull ache nearly everyone has experienced, from being overly fatigued,
to pain described as sharp and stabbing. A headache may last for a few
hours or as in the case of a cluster headache, may persist for several
days only to abate for a period of time and return. A headache can be
associated with neck problems, too much stress, fatigue, vision
problems, a nutritional imbalance, muscle strain, a circulation problem
such as high blood pressure, infection, and even a malignancy (cancer.)
What about using aspirin or an aspirin
substitute to fight headache pain? Well, although over-the-counter
drugs like aspirin and acetaminophen (found in products like Tylenol)
are often effective in relieving headache pain, both of these
substances carry warnings as to side effects and over use. So, if you
suffer from persistent headaches, you may want to talk with a Doctor of
Chiropractic to see if the cause of the recurrent headaches can be
determined and treated instead of relying on the use of aspirin or
aspirin substitutes.
A Doctor of Chiropractor is trained and
licensed in the diagnosis of many forms of headaches. Through careful
history, examination, and the aid of x-rays, or in rare cases, if
needed, computer tomography, or MRI A Doctor of Chiropractic can often
determine the cause of your head pain and recommend a treatment
program, which may include adjustment (manipulation) of misaligned
vertebra (the bones of the spine) to reduce or eliminate headache pain.
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Migraines
Migraine is a term applied to a special type
of vascular (blood circulation) headache that is generally thought of
as more sever than a regular headache and has sometimes been referred
to as a 'sick headache.' Migraine headaches affect more women then men
by a ratio of about 70%. There is thought to be a recessive gene
responsible for migraines, which means the problem could be an
inherited one (passed down through a family.) Migraines are usually
proceeded by a strange sensation called a prodome. This stage of the
migraine usually involves seeing an aura (visual disturbance) before
the headache begins. The headache is usually unilateral (on one side of
the head) but can be felt bilaterally (both sides of the head) in some
cases. The throbbing associated with a migraine is associated with
changes in blood flow to the brain. It is currently thought that the
greatest disturbance is experienced when too much blood is allowed to
enter the brain. What triggers a migraine attack? It has been
documented that a migraine can occur due to increased anxiety, tension,
or rage, often with a stifled expression of resentment. Often there is
water weight gain associated with the onset of the event. Migraines can
commonly occur upon awakening in the morning.
The number of migraines over a defined
period of time, how they feel, where the pain is located, (e.g.,side of
the head, behind an eye, etc.) vary a great deal from person to person.
If you think you may be suffering from migraine headaches, you should
consider contacting a Doctor of Chiropractic.
A Doctor of Chiropractor is trained and
licensed in the diagnosis of many forms of headaches, including
migraines. Through careful history, examination, and the aid of x-rays,
or in rare cases, if needed, computer tomography, or MRI. A Doctor of
Chiropractic can often determine the cause of your head pain and
recommend a treatment program, which may include adjustment
(manipulation) of misaligned vertebra (the bones of the spine) to
reduce the number of migraines you experience and the severity and
duration of an attack. In some cases, an adjustment has been reported
to stop an attack from proceeding to the headache phase.
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Dizziness
There are several sensations that people
feel and describe as dizziness. It can be any feeling from the world is
spinning around you, a feeling that you are moving when you are not, a
feeling of loss of balance, light-headedness, etc. The problems areas
of the human body that can cause dizziness are varied, as well.
Dizziness can come from problems with the inner ear, the heart, the
brain. Also, people with MS (multiple sclerosis) sometimes complain of
dizziness when walking. Dizziness can even be associated with digestive
problems. It is important to determine the cause and type of your
dizziness and a Doctor of Chiropractic can be of help in many of these
cases. Chiropractic adjustments have been an effective way of treating
dizziness in many patients and a careful chiropractic examination may
help in determining if treatment with adjustments would help you. If
your chiropractor believes your dizziness is coming from an inner ear
problem, he or she may recommend you to a qualified medical specialist
who treats these disorders for additional help. For a more
comprehensive article on dizziness, please visit: Dizziness Explained
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Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve is a general term that
refers to pain or a change in sensation (numbness, tingling, heat or
cold sensation) somewhere along the course of the irritated nerve or
where the irritated nerve begins or ends. For instance, a pinched nerve
in the neck might cause pain in the neck alone or the patient might
also experience numbness in the hand on the same side as the neck pain.
Another common example is sciatica, which in some cases can be
attributed to a pinched nerve in the lower back. The patient may only
experience symptoms in the leg from a nerve that is being irritated in
the lower back.
How chiropractors treat pinched
nerves...
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Numbness
Numbness is a sensation we all have experienced from time to time when
a limb “falls asleep.” This type of numbness is
caused when you place undo pressure for a prolonged period of time on a
specific part of your body. This type of numbness should
improve quickly when pressure to the area is removed; however, when
this sensation occurs in parts of the body without any apparent cause,
it could be coming from another source such as a pinched nerve.
How chiropractors treat numbness
...
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Tingling
Tingling is a sensation that many of us have experienced. It
is the sensation experienced when a limb that has fallen asleep starts
to wake up. It is common to experience this sensation when you place
undo pressure for a prolonged period of time on a specific part of your
body. For instance, standing or seating too long or leaning too heavily
on a limb can cause tingling; however, when this sensation occurs in
parts of the body without an apparent cause, it could be coming from a
pinched nerve.
How chiropractors treat
tingling ...
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Sports Injuries
Participation in sports and physically activity has many benefits to
our health and well being; however, accidents and injuries during these
activities occur all to frequently. Finding the right help to
understand how to limit, prevent, or heal from a sports injury is an
essential part of staying in the game. Chiropractic, through such
specialized educational resources as the Certified Chiropractic Sports
Physician (C.C.S.P.) Program, has one of the most modern and
effective non-drug and non-surgical sports rehabilitation programs
available today.
How chiropractic treat sports
injuries ...
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Whiplash
Whiplash is a commonly used term for a neck sprain and strain injury
caused from a rear-end automobile collision. When stuck from behind, a
force travels through the vehicle and through the body. This force
causes the head to be forcefully snapped backwards. A split second
later, there is a rebound from the acceleration force, which causes the
head to snap forward. This type of trauma is referred to as an
acceleration/deceleration injury to the spine and can result in a
sprain, strain, or fracture of the spine.
In a whiplash injury, the long ligament that runs down the front of the
neck is often sprained when the neck is snapped back. However, the most
damaging effect of a whiplash injury comes from the deceleration phase.
This is when the head rebounds and snaps forward and the long ligaments
that run up the back of the vertebrae (neck bones) are usually sprained
(torn.) Other ligaments, especially the capsular ligaments between each
vertebra, are also usually damaged during this action. Damage may also
commonly occur to the muscles of the neck and in some cases, the discs
may become damaged or herniated.
How chiropractors treat whiplash
injuries ...
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Work Injuries
Accidents in the work place that arise from employment and occur during
the course of employment are covered by Workers’
Compensation. Each individual state has a Workers’
Compensation board that acts as a regulatory agent for these types of
injuries. Workers’ Compensation takes care of most of the
bills related to an employee’s injuries and may even pay a
certain amount of living expenses while the worker is unable to perform
his job duties. Since the laws vary from state to state, it would be
prudent to check for specific questions concerning a work injury with
your local state Workers’ Compensation Board or with a
qualified Worker’s Compensation attorney. Be aware that
states do have stiff penalties and may invoke fines, prison time, or
both for anyone who makes a fraudulent Work injury claims.
Read more about work related
injuries...
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Hip Pain
Pain in the hip can come directly from the hip joint itself or it may
be experienced in the hip joint as a referred pain from a problem
somewhere else. Referred pain is pain that travels along a nerve that
comes from the back. The referred sensation of pain is felt in an area
where the nerve travels or ends, but not necessarily from the point of
the back where the nerve is being pinched. On the other hand, pain that
comes directly from the hip joint can be from inflammation due to
injury (Sprains, strains, and fractures), arthritis, infection, or in
rarer cases, malignancy (cancer.)
How chiropractors treat
hip pain ...
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Knee Pain
Knee pain is one of the most commonly treated orthopedic ailments. Our
knees are subject to a tremendous amount of weight-bearing forces.
These forces are best handled in a straight forward to backward motion.
This is the primary motion the knee joint was designed for. Shearing
force (force from the sides) and torque (rotational force) are more
difficult for the knee joint to handle. Shear and torque account for
many of the sports related knee injuries.
Direct trauma to the knee from falls, motor vehicle accidents, and
other sources also lead to acute knee conditions. Poor alignment,
over-use, genetic weakness, disease, and malignancy lead to chronic
knee conditions. With both chronic and acute knee conditions, a Doctor
of Chiropractic can be an invaluable resource in the diagnosis and
treatment of your knee condition.
How chiropractors treat knee
pain...
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Shoulder Pain
The shoulder joint is supported by more muscles than any other joint in
the body; however, because of the lack of bony structure and the
shallowness of the shoulder joint, the shoulder is also the most
commonly dislocated joint in the body. Likewise, subluxations (small
dislocations) and tendinitis problems are also frequently found in
patients with shoulder complaints. These less severe but painful
shoulder conditions are often the result of repetitive activity or
excessive use of the muscles and the ligaments that surround the
shoulder joint. For instance, bursitis (a condition of inflammation
surrounding a joint) is commonly found here. Shoulder injuries,
arthritis, and pathologies (such as cancer) may also cause shoulder
pain.
The shoulder is also a common source of referred pain (pain being
transmitted to the shoulder from another source.) People with neck
conditions may experience this type of referred pain due to the
irritated nerves that travel from the neck into the shoulder. Referred
pain can also come from diseased or distressed organs. Organs such as
the pancreas, liver, or heart can refer pain to the shoulder. Certain
other structures in the and disorders in the digestive tract can refer
pain to the shoulder as well such as a hiatal hernia or the ileocecal
valve (a valve in the digestive tract between the small and large
intestine, near the appendix.)
How chiropractors treat shoulder
pain...
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Elbow Pain
One of the most common elbow problems is tendinitis. This condition is
due to inflammation. Sometimes called tennis elbow, this painful
condition can occur when a tendon that attaches to the elbow joint
becomes irritated, either from injury or from overuse. Other common
elbow problems include arthritis and problems from the wrist or the
shoulder, which cause referred pain to the elbow.
The elbow joint works best when the arm motion is straight up and down.
Rotation and side to side movements are less tolerated. Too much stress
in these directions can irritate the elbow tendons and cause a
tendinitis condition. Repeated vibration forces under weight bearing
can also cause joint irritation. Commonly played sports that can cause
this condition are tennis, other racket sports, and to a lesser degree
golf. Continued irritation of the elbow tendons can lead to calcific
tendinitis, which is a type of arthritis.
How chiropractors treat elbow
pain...
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Eight tiny bones in the writs form a tunnel for three nerves and
various blood vessels to pass from the arm into the hand. This tunnel
is called the carpal tunnel. Irritation to the ligaments and bones that
comprise this structure can result in the common malady known as carpal
tunnel syndrome.
The pain, numbness, and tingling associated with Carpal tunnel syndrome
are caused from irritation to the median nerve, which runs through the
center of the wrist. This nerve supplies feeling and motor function
(the ability to move your fingers) to the first three fingers of the
hand. Symptoms include pain, numbness, and tingling and usually occur
at night or in the early hours of the morning.
Women are affected with this problem more than men. This may have to
due with hormonal factors that affect fluid retention in the body. In
general, any build up of fluid in the tissue can further compress the
area within the carpal tunnel.
How chiropractors treat Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome...
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Low Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common ailments afflicting society today.
In the United States alone, back pain accounts for more than 7,000,000
new cases and 250,000 surgeries each year. In fact, nearly all of us
will experience some degree of back pain at least once in our lifetime.
Our lower back is especially vulnerable to this malady, mostly due to
increased weight bearing, mechanical stress, and the lack of rib
support to this lower region of our spine.
There are many causes of lower back pain but the most common cause is
mechanical stress. Mechanical stress can be considered the action of
movement under the presence of weight. For instance, when you bend
forward with the knees straight, pick up an object, and twist while
lifting that object, you apply a great deal of mechanical stress to the
lower back. This is especially true if you lift the object with your
arms away from your body.
How chiropractors treat low back
pain....
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Sciatica
A sensation that runs down the leg may be coming from a condition
called sciatica. The pain, burning, numbness, or tingling is due to
inflammation or irritation to the Greater Sciatic Nerve, the largest
nerve that exits our spine. The part of this nerve that causes problems
down the back of the leg or into the gluteal area exits the spine at
the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra. This is the last of the five
lumbar vertebrae and is the area of the spine that carries the most
weight, and stress. The opening for this large nerve is also the
smallest opening in the spine. The discomfort of sciatic neuritis
(sciatica) can range from a mild irritation to an inability to function.
Sciatica is a common condition and is experienced by many. Although it
is less common than lower back pain, many sciatic conditions actually
come from a problem in the lower back. The irritation that begins in or
near the spine is actually referred down the nerve, so the symptoms are
felt in the buttock, leg, and even into the foot. Your doctor can test
you for the sciatica by performing certain stress motions on the lower
spine, which will demonstrate increased symptoms in the affected leg.
How chiropractors treat
sciatica...
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Disc Conditions
Of all the biomechanical (structural) ailments of the spine, a disc
condition can be one of the hardest to treat. It requires the longest
amount of healing time, approximately twelve weeks. In contrast, a
muscle strain will usually heal in two to four weeks and a ligament
strain in four to six weeks.
The lack of a direct source of blood supply is the main reason the disc
takes so long to heal. A disc only receives nutrients when the motion
of the bones above and below the disc causes some blood within that
bone to be pumped into the disc. However, this pumping action actually
becomes hindered due to the attendant back muscle spasms, which develop
to protect the back from further injury.
Disc problems require special attention. A proper examination and
diagnosis is essential to determine the best treatment guidelines.
Chiropractors have special training in the care of the spine and
intervertebral disc. Your Doctor of Chiropractic can help you determine
if you have a spinal disc condition. If so, a treatment plan that is
right for you can then be established to help you recover.
How Chiropractors treat disc
conditions...
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Cold Hands and Feet
Cold extremities are usually the result of poor circulation. Poor
circulation can be caused from high blood pressure, obesity, arterial
blockage, or poor heart function. If the heart is in good working order
and there is no appreciable build up of plaque in the arteries, the
coldness may be due to the constriction of the blood vessels that
supply the hands and feet from stress.
How Chiropractors treat cold
extremities...
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Arthritis
Stiffness in the joints is a common condition that increases with
aging. When the stiffness worsens to the point of being painful,
arthritis may be the diagnosis. Arthritis is breakdown of normal
cartilage caused by either excessive joint wear and tear or from an
autoimmune disease called rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is
a disease where the body is actually fighting itself. This is what the
term autoimmune means. Rheumatoid arthritis is usually occurs on both
sides of the body. This means it occurs in both hands, both knees, etc.
In contrast, the other form of arthritis, called degenerative
arthritis, will usually occur on one side. This form of arthritis is
chiefly due to wear and tear or repetitive injury to the same joint or
joints.
How chiropractors treat
arthritis...
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Bursitis
The bursa is a structure that is found mostly around areas where muscle
and tendons slide over joints. It is the bursa that helps lubricate
these sliding motions to prevent damage to the underlying bony
structures. When this action is compromised, the inflammation that
results is referred to as Bursitis. The most common areas where
bursitis occurs are the shoulder, elbow, hip, and the kneecap. Bursitis
tends to get worse the more these joints are moved.
How chiropractors treat
bursitis...
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Tendonitis
Tendonitis is the diagnosis given to inflammation in a tendon. A tendon
is simply and extension of the muscle that attaches the muscle fibers
into the bone so that the joint can be moved. The pain and swelling is
a lot like a bursitis condition; however the difference is that
tendinitis worsens when the muscle is contracted rather than when the
joint is moved by someone else. Bursitis generally hurts whenever the
joint is moved.
Mild tendinitis can be an annoying condition; however, without the
proper care and treatment this annoyance can worsen to the point of
disability due to pain. Tennis elbow is one such example that can start
as a mild annoyance and progress to a severe condition that can cause
painful difficulty when shaking hands, or when trying to open a jar.
Even turning a doorknob while trying to pull it open can cause sharp
pain to appear.
How chiropractors treat
tendinitis...
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Asthma
An asthma attack is caused when a sudden constriction of airway
passages, called the bronchi, occurs. These tiny tubes help to
transport the air from the trachea (windpipe) into the lungs. The
insides of these tubes are lined with smooth muscle that allows them to
contract and expand much as our arteries do. When a message from the
nervous system tells these tubes to constrict too tightly, an asthma
attack is the result.
Asthma attacks can come on at any time and there are still many
unanswered questions as to why only some people suffer from this
disorder. One type of an asthma attack is triggered by activity. This
form of asthma is called exercise-induced asthma. The second and more
common form of idiopathic (unknown cause) asthma seems to be triggered
by certain allergens to foods or particulate matter in the air like
pollen, grasses, chemicals, and mold spores. No matter which form of
asthma you suffer from, an asthma attack is a frightening feeling. If
nervousness is also a trigger for this condition, the expected normal
anxiety associated with having asthma can be a self-perpetuating
prophecy of continued attacks.
Help for asthma sufferers has been on the market for a long time in the
form of different inhalers to help dilate (open) the bronchial tubes
but there are other ways to more naturally achieve a more effective way
to relieve, reduce, and control your asthma.
How chiropractic treatment can
help asthma...
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Stress
Stress is a commonly encountered term these days, often associated with
our hectic lifestyles. When our bodies are under stress, there is an
increased release of so-called stress hormones such as adrenaline. Over
a period of time, too much release of such hormones can imbalance our
systems and create a state of fatigue, sleep disorders, nervousness,
and even some personality changes such as impatience and increased
aggressive behavior. Physical changes are also seen in facial changes
such as dark circles under the eyes, increased hair loss, wrinkles, and
body changes such as muscle tightness, which can easily lead to back,
neck pain, and headaches.
Chiropractic seeks to relieve stress by normalizing our bodies and
breaking this stress cycle. Chiropractic care can be an effective
treatment for the reduction of stress by improving the nervous
function, relaxing tense musculature, and lowering blood pressure, all
factors that serve to re-regulate the body and help break the cycle of
stress.
Naturally, life-style changes are also needed for true long-term stress
reduction but stress relief during periods of unavoidable stress can be
a valuable aid to our over-all health and well being.
Your Doctor of Chiropractic is trained in the diagnosis of stress
related conditions and can help you spot the warning signs of stress
related illness. A treatment plan can then be designed to help reduce
the deleterious effects that stress can cause as well as a strength
building program to improve our bodies resistance to the effects that
too much stress can play in our lives.
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
It is a bit unsettling to tell your doctor that your chief complaint is
feeling tired all the time only to here your diagnosis is called
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which basically means you are tired all the
time. Understanding why your body is lacking energy is the key to
understanding this ailment. Certainly, more research needs to be done
to determine the cause of this condition.
Other complaints that often accompany Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are:
Allergies, sensitivity to chemicals and certain odors, headaches,
muscle soreness, sore throat, short term memory loss, trouble
concentrating, and problems sleeping. Although these symptoms vary from
one individual to another, the chief complaint of fatigue is the most
stated reason for the loss of work or problems with handling daily
activities.
Although the source of Chronic Fatigue is not known, there are theories
that this condition could be either allergy related or caused by some
virus or parasite that infects the tissues of the body. These foreign
invaders create a prolonged chronic immune reaction that gradually
drains energy from your body. If you also suffer from sleep
disturbance, the energy drain only worsens.
How chiropractors treat Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome...
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Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is very similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In fact, some
researchers believe both ailments to be the same condition. The main
difference is that the chief complaint of Fibromyalgia is muscle
soreness; however, fatigue, headache, and problems sleeping may also
accompany this condition.
With Fibromyalgia, the feeling in the muscles will usually be described
as dull and aching. The muscle soreness can come on at any time.
Activity is not required for the problem to be noticed. Because other
disorders can mimic this condition, the patient must exhibit tenderness
in a minimum of 11 of 18 pre-defined points on the body for a diagnosis
of Fibromyalgia to be made. These points are in the muscles of neck,
hips, buttock region, the upper forearm, and toward the inner knee.
Although there is no known cause for Fibromyalgia, there may be a
connection between the upper cervical spine and symptoms
produced by this condition. Chiropractors have noticed improvement may
occur in patients with this disorder when chiropractic adjustments are
made to the upper cervical spine.
How chiropractors treat
Fibromyalgia...
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TMJ Disorders
TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint disorder is the diagnosis given to a
mechanical dysfunction of one or both of the joints of the jaw. The TMJ
is located just in front of the ears. Because of this close proximity
to the ears, a patient with a TMJ problem may experience ear symptoms
such as hearing the joint pop, grind. or crack when mouth is opened and
closed.
When these joints are healthy, they act as a "shock absorber" for the
jaw. When a misalignment or breakdown of cartilage occurs in one or
both of these joints, this cushioning effect is reduced. Continued
stress, especially from chewing, can cause inflammation to the joint
and soreness in the surrounding muscles. These disturbances to normal
function can result in localized jaw pain, headache, earache, and
possibly even dizziness.
Read more about TMJ
disorders...
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G.I. Disorders
Problems with digestion can result within any of the organs involved
with this complicated process. Most commonly, the stomach, gall
bladder, and large intestine demonstrate the highest degree of
incidence of gastrointestinal disturbance; however, the pancreas,
liver, and the small intestine also play important roles in the
digestive process and can also cause pain and discomfort when
malfunctioning.
Read more about digestive
disorders...
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Other Complaints
Chiropractic was created on the principle that everything the body
needs to heal itself comes from within. This means that our bodies were
gifted with an innate intelligence. It is this innate intelligence that
takes care of every cell in your body. A large part of this inner
system of communication is found in the parts of your brain that
control your immune system. Although you are not consciously aware of
this part of the brain, every day billions of impulses travel through
this important part of your nervous system to constantly monitor and
correct any problems in the cells of your body. As a simple example,
think of the last time a minor cut you had was healed. Did you have to
‘think’ about anything to get the skin to heal, or
did you just notice that after a few days the body had healed itself?
But what happens if this essential part of our nervous system is
interfered with or is not properly supported? The answer is a breakdown
in normal function begins. Chiropractors believe one way this problem
can occur is when the nerves that carry these messages are irritated at
the level of the spine where they exit. This irritation is the result
of a subluxation, which is scientifically defined as a minor
misalignment between joint. The theory is that a subluxation creates
undue stress on the involved joints, much like a poorly aligned hinge
would make it difficult to open and close a door. As this irritation
continues, swelling takes place. The swelling builds up and because
subluxated joints do not move well, there is no natural pumping action
to help remove this swelling, so the problem persists. When the
swelling reaches the point where it impedes either the circulation of
the blood flow to the nerve, the nerve itself, or both, nerve
transmission suffers.
The old model of this was the classic story of someone placing a foot
on a hose, with the foot representing the pressure from the surrounding
tissue and the hose representing a pinched nerve that cannot carry
enough nerve impulses to the organs, muscles and tissues it supplies.
More modern theory suggests that in actuality, the pressure in the
region of the nerve may in the early stages aggravate it to send
excessive nerve impulses to the body rather than a lack of impulses.
Some studies have demonstrated that irritation to the nerves sets up a
response of increased nerve activity, which in turn triggers a reaction
in the surrounding blood vessels to contract. The decreased blood flow
to the aggravated nerve exacerbates (worsens) the problem even more.
In either case of too much or not enough nerve stimulation, the
important measure is the effect on balance. When the nervous system is
out of balance in either direction, muscles, organs, and tissues
suffer. The principle of chiropractic adjustments (spinal manipulation)
is to restore this normal balance by restoring as much proper joint
function in the spine as possible. This takes the pressure off the
nerve and allows for repair and normal nerve activity to be
reestablished. The body then receives the correct messages to help heal
any reparable damage to the muscles, organs, or tissues.
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Articles posted on this site are for informational purposes only.
Articles are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment. Users of
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