Archive for August, 2009
Fat in the Front Means Pain in the Back
There is a large number of men and women today battling to lose weight, notably excess weight around the middle. However, the imperative to lose weight is, quite frequently, more than just a cosmetic issue. In actuality, if people are walking around with too much weight in their midsection, their back is going to suffer as a result.
The majority of individuals who are overweight suffer from moderate to severe back pain. The reason for this is because the spine was not designed to move something that is more substantial in weight than the body is at its naturally healthy weight. As an individual puts on extra poundage, the spine starts to unduly stress and to compress, causing a lot of pain and discomfort. Additionally, it can have an impact on the pelvis, tilting it forward and perhaps forcing it to pinch the sciatic nerve. That is one of the main reasons why individuals who are overweight tend to have problems with their lower back. The pain is due to either sciatica or the distorting of the spinal column.
If this condition sounds painfully familiar, and you’d like to get out pain, certainly the thing to do is to take off the extra weight that you are lugging around, and your spine will begin to respond and go back into its regular position. Regrettably, losing those pounds is hard and it can take time, even with the best of intentions. However, on a positive note you don’t have to continue to experience back pain as you lose the weight. A chiropractor can offer the pain relief you’ll want as you shed the extra pounds.
Even so, you will still need to lose the additional poundage, and not having back pain will genuinely help you do it. Two things that are simple (but not necessarily easy), but will be highly beneficial to you in losing the extra weight naturally are getting some sort of exercise, even if it’s just a small amount per day, and modifying the food you eat so that you are taking in less calories than you are using throughout the day. Sure, you’ve heard about these two things before. Nonetheless, now that you know your back is depending on you, it’s the perfect time to get truly galvanized for success.
Start exercising slowly, expressly if you’re having problems with back pain. And, most importantly, be sure to seek out chiropractic care so that you don’t go wrong the way many people do, which is exercising into the pain. That will without a doubt make your condition worse. Exercise, though occasionally uncomfortable, should never be painful or cause pain. That’s why it’s essential to see a chiropractor if you’re experiencing back pain.
Do simple stretching exercises and also concentrate on your core abdominal body muscles. Strong stomach muscles help to ease back pain. Your chiropractor will be able to provide exercises that are best for you, individually. After a very short period of dedication to shedding the pounds that are creating your back pain and perhaps other health difficulties as well, you most likely being to notice a dramatic difference in the way that you feel.
Can Chiropractors Help Sciatica?
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is second in commonality only to the common cold. It affects more than 80% of people. However, unlike the common cold, back pain is often a mystery to most of its sufferers. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor is an expert at solving the puzzle.
Anatomy
To understand back pain, it is helpful to understand the anatomy of the spine. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back consist of posterior joints called facets that link vertebrae to one another and serve to direct the movement of the spine. Inter-vertebral discs, comprised of strong cartilage, link the bodies of the vertebrae. This dense cartilage covers the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also connect the vertebrae. The wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine is the sacrum and is joined to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. The spinal cord is situated between the facets of the vertebrae. 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 source of most back pain is the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, bad work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of proper exercise and other unhealthy lifestyle-related factors. These cumulative factors create 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 spine was already put in jeopardy and just the simple act of bending was enough to set off the challenge. When this happens, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.
Disc Problems & Sciatica
Prolonged sitting, specifically in a slouched position creates increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles encompassing the spine. After a while the lower spine loses its ability to function normally during everyday stresses. In the end, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, allowing the soft nucleus to bulge the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it causes 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. Unfortunately, if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition isn’t managed appropriately, surgery may berequired to clear away the herniated disc material. But, with the correct chiropractic adjustments and management, as well as postural exercises, most of these cases can healthfully mend. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms defined above, it is essential for you to seek chiropractic assistance.
Spondylosis
Increased wear and tear and weight-bearing stress on the spine occurs when there is repetitive assault to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments. This stress can unfavorably affect the cartilage around the joints and cause calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae, forming bone spurs. These spurs can constrict adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This constriction 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 care and overall chiropractic management is extremely beneficial in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as helping Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Chiropractor has treated 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 damage such as falls, sports injuries, or lifting heavy objects, the joints can become unstable and move to an abnormal position. This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Women may get this condition during or after their pregnancy. The imbalances in the lower extremities caused by sacroiliac subluxation can cause 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 exhaustion. Many times 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 correcting this problem by establishing proper alignment of the joints.. Ask your chiropractor how you can get effective pain relief.
Spinal Subluxation
A prevalent disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine, is subluxated or misaligned facet joints. Subluxations can prevail 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, creating paraesthesia. Paraesthesia is a variation of sensation described as a tingling, burning or “funny feeling.” Paraesthesia in the upper extremities more often than notoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is commonly associated with nerve dysfunctionin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also beassociated with, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best treated 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 care at the onset of symptoms is very important in order to escape 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 expert treatment for any of the above-mentioned conditions of the spine and lower back.
Sports Injuries and Chiropractic Care, The Perfect Solution
Sports injuries, today are not just limited to professional athletes or boys who participate in school sports programs. Today, a large number of people of both sexes and all ages are regularly participating in sports and fitness activities. There are women playing traditionally men’s sports such as soccer, basketball, and kick-boxing. The vast majority of both sexes play golf, tennis, basketball, and/or participate in aerobic activities like running. Regrettably, risk of injury is always a possibility with any sports activity.
Nearly all of injuries generally fit into two groups: 1) traumatic injury, such as a slip, fall, or collision and, 2) repetitive stress or overuse injury.
Traumatic Injuries
These injuries create the debilitating problems often associated with trauma. A high percentage of traumatic injuries are to the ligaments, the tissue that connects bone to bone, and to body muscles, although fractures and dislocations do happen at times, in particular with contact sports. Damage to a ligament is called a sprain, while trauma to a muscle or its tendon is a strain. The most frequent places for these types of injuries are the ankles, knees, and shoulders, nevertheless other areas can be affected including the low back and neck. Because the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves can be harmed, injury to the neck and low back can be extremely serious.
Traumatic injuries can vary from a mild “muscle pull” or ankle twist to a serious problem requiring surgery. It all depends upon the degree of tearing of the tissues, the location, and the age of the person. Some degree of swelling takes place with most sprains and strains. But, with certain injuries, particularly those of the ankle and knee, there can be some internal bleeding as well. Strains and sprains demand appropriate attention, especially during the initial stages of an injury, to insure correct healing and avoid future disability. Therapy from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly expedient.
If you’ve sustained an injury, the best course of action is to see a professional. Until assistance is attainable, remember the acronym, PRICE:
P Protect injury to prevent additional damage
R Rest the injured area
I Ice injury to abate swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C Compress injury with a specifically designed or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E Elevate the injury, particularly when dealing with ankles and knees
By all means it is important to get the injury properly evaluated by a chiropractor, or other competent health professional, to ascertain the amount of damage. Nearly all of these injuries can recover, although they do need knowledgeable treatment during the various stages of healing. If not carefully monitored and treated, a sprain or strain injury can result in long-lasting joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. A chiropractor that is trained in the treatment of sports injuries can give expert advice and management you’ll need to insure that your injury will recoverl in the best possible way. Call your chiropractor if you have sustained a traumatic injury.
Overuse or Repetitive Strain Injuries
These injuries are becoming more prevalent, especially among individuals going out for sports such as golf, tennis, bowling, and any other activity that necessitates the same movement over and over (repetitively). An activity as uncomplex and healthy as running, especially on a treadmill, can also be a factor.
Repetitious activity can frequently create a very slight strain to tissues, expressly tendons and muscles. But, it is the accumulative effects of the repetition that causes the more serious problem. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common types of overuse injuries. Over time the muscle or other affected tissue develops changes that no longer allow it to function correctly, resulting in pain, stiffness and disability. Certain factors predispose a person to these sorts of injury. Some are “intrinsic,” i.e., the factor is found within a person’s own body. Other factors are “extrinsic,” which means that the factors are external and can generally be changed or controlled by the individual.
Some of the most widespread intrinsic factors for injury
Age is the most common intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that individual to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. There are those who are born with joint or muscle problems. And, finally, previous injuries are a factor as they often keep the joints or muscles from functioning properly.
Extrinsic factors for injury
Extrinsic factors are numerous. For instance, sports equipment can insufficient–an inappropriate grip size of tennis racket or worn-out running shoes are clear examples, even a playing surface can be a factor, e.g., a too-hard surface for soccer or an uneven treadmill. Improper technique in any sport, such as an incorrect golf grip is, as they say, an injury waiting to happen Another factor is poor conditioning. Some individuals are injured because they are deconditioned. Added frequency or extended duration of an activity, without easing slowly, can cause the conditions for injury. Insufficient flexibility can produce injury if a person is too stiff to do an activity properly. Lack of warm-up, like stretching and suitable preparation, is a common factor in injuries. And, lastly, and maybe surprising to some, stress is a factor. Muscles that are tense and inflexible as the result of stress are too tight and, hence, unprepared for most sports activities.
It is important to remember that the majority of factors are extrinsic and, consequently, they are factors that can be individually controlled. Before starting a new sport, or as a way to prevent injury in a current sport, it’s wise to get an assessment of your current body condition. If you’ve been injured, it is crucial to seek out a experienced professional, like a chiropractor, to diagnose the nature of the injury and design a plan of care. If left untreated, an injury will not only prohibit someone from participating in a favorite activity, but can significantly affect someone’s life in general. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is often required to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is your best source of help. Call a chiropractor if you’re either thinking of beginning a new activity, you’re feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you’ve sustained a sports injury. Your Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.
Change Your Posture, Get Rid of Your Knee Pain
Besides spinal conditions, knee pain and disability is one of the most widespread dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system. Conditions concerning the knee can be divided into several classes including improper mechanics of the knee and faulty foot mechanics that compensate for foot pain, frequent overuse of the knee joint, inflammation due to arthritic changes in the joint, and traumatic injury from events such as sports and falls.
Non-trauma knee problems: The most prevalent cause of non-traumatic pain is insufficient mechanics of the knee joint and the related stress on the soft tissues of the knee. Usually, the part of the knee implicated is the patella or knee-cap. Often the patella does not move smoothly or does not move sufficiently on the femur during bending of the knee producing too much stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This specific condition is often called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). This problem is due to imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that connect to and move the patella. Imbalances in the muscles related to knee movement frequently begin from lower back ailments, particularly in the sacroiliac joint. Imbalances in muscle groups that join to the knee can also lead to pain and dysfunction. For example, pain on the medial or inside of the knee occurs when the muscles on the insides of the thigh are strained and rigid. Mechanical knee pain is also produced by gait deviations such as pronation.
Evidence of overuse includes pain during activities such as climbing stairs, running, jumping, as well as pain upon rising after prolonged sitting. Some women are likely to be predisposed to painful overuse conditions for anatomical reasons, however such conditions are frequently caused by wearing high heels on a regular basis.
It is important to re-establish proper muscle balance, restore appropriate motion to the patella and other knee joints, and to correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and bones of the foot. In certain cases, a brace is used to aid with the alignment of the patella or to stabilize the joint. Chiropractors, such as your chiropractor, are ideally trained to provide knowledgeable assessment and management of these conditions.
Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries commonly occur during sports that involve running and jumping, especially. When the knee is pulled or contorted beyond the strength of the ligaments that hold the joint together, tearing of these tissues can happen creating a sprain. The muscles that facilitate movement of the knee can also be torn during injury creating a strain or pull of the muscle. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can range from a slight injury that requires little care to a extreme injury necessitating surgery. The knee also has two special “cartilages” – the menisci – between the tibia and the femur that allow fluid mobility and cushioning. These cartilages can also be torn during trauma, and commonly require surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.
Traumatic knee injuries can cause serious pain and swelling and need prompt diagnosis and treatment. In most instances a qualified chiropractor, such as your Chiropractor, can manage these conditions, but there are some injuries that require the craft of an orthopedic surgeon. In any event, it is vital to stabilize the injured joint as soon as possible and to ice the injured area, if possible, until the injury can be examined.
Conditions such as poor mechanics and problems due to overuse, as well as traumatic injuries, need to be fixed at an early stage. If not, the tissues of the knee joint, especially the cartilage, will start to erode. As a result the bones will rub on one another, and changes such as bone spurs can take place. This painful problem, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, is commonly progressive with age. Usual treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Nevertheless, there are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that are very effective such as rosemary, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, bioflavinoids, curcumin. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely beneficial in reducing the pain. Your San Jose chiropractor is very knowledgeable about anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, sufferers can often assist themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.