Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

John | January 26, 2012

Functions of your lower back (or lumbar area) include movement, structural support, and protection for your upper body. Although there may be several causes of lower back pain, common causes of this type of pain range from herniated discs to degenerative disc disease. In the U.S., lower back pain is perhaps the most common reason for doctor visits. It is said that 9 out of 10 people will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives. This type of back pain can be classified in two ways, acute back pain and chronic back pain. Acute lower back pain is usually short term. You may experience this one to two days or even a week, but it can lead to a more serious problem if left untreated. Chronic lower back pain is more serious and painful, and can last for months. It is often difficult for doctors to pinpoint the reason for your pain.

The causes of lower back pain are numerous, but the most usual ones are:

  • Overuse of joints, ligaments and muscles.
  • Injury or minor accident.
  • The nerve roots in your spinal canal are experiencing pressure due to osteoarthritis, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, spinal deformities and fractures.
  • Compression fracture, which is common on pregnant women and to people with osteophorosis.
  • Ankylosing spondylitis which is an arthritis of the spine
  • Bacterial infection caused by bacteria being brought to the spine through the bloodstream

There are lower back pain symptoms that may need serious medical treatment like surgery. These can include:

  • Dysfunction of the bladder and/or bowel changes
  • Progressive weakening of the legs
  • Continuous severe pain in the abdomen and lower back

You should seek medical treatment if, aside from the above mentioned symptoms, you have fever, chills, a history of cancer among family and relatives, or rapid weight loss. It is always important to see your doctor, but don’t forget to consider Chiropractic care. Some of these symptoms can be treated with an adjustment.

Treating Knee Pain With Chiropractic Care

John | January 19, 2012

Incidents of knee pain are increasing among active people, resulting to an increase in patients suffering from knee problems. Chiropractic treatment is great for treating this type of pain. Chiropractic treatment is the best option if the pain is hindering you from doing your daily tasks and other activities that you love doing. Also, if pain medication isn’t working, this type of treatment can be very helpful.

If pain is occurring from the knee, all the knee parts should be examined. This includes your pelvis, back, hips, foot and ankle because they have direct influence on your knee. When using this treatment, an intensive medical examination is needed to provide an accurate diagnosis for treating your knee pain. Evaluation of other parts of your musculoskeletal system is important to get accurate results, because the pain may come from the hips, pelvis, or back. Furthermore, if a body part is not working properly, the knee can be greatly affected. It may lead to injury due to the excessive stress to the knee.

There are many causes of knee problems. Poor posture, recurring knee strain, accidents and injuries, and a misaligned spine or joints can all lead to damage in the knee tissue. This may cause the knee to swell, lock and stiffen. Muscles and tendons that are wearing-out, overused or twisted due to injury are more likely to result in strain. Misaligned joints result from twisted joints.

Chiropractic treatment restores the health of joints and spines. It treats and adjusts your joints and spine to improve motion and reduce pain. Other forms of treating knee pain may be suggested by your chiropractor, which may give the same benefits. These include hot and cold compresses, braces, electric stimulation, exercise, taping and ultrasound. To keep your knees in good condition, avoid doing things that may harm your knee, do not engage in any physical activities that may cause you knee injury and do the exercises that your chiropractor suggests.

Using Chiropractic Care To Treat Sinusitis

John | January 13, 2012

Chiropractic care can help sinus problems such as sinus headaches.  Anything that irritates the sinus such as dirt, mold, virus pollen, bacteria, fumes, and excessively dry air in homes, schools and offices can trigger sinusitis. Many people who have allergies often have signs and symptoms of sinusitis because of the substances where they are disclosed to causing discomfort to their sinus passageways. Sinusitis also arises from fever or colds, asthma, pollution, lumps, bone growths, cyst, facial injuries, tumors or tooth infections.

Think about trying Chiropractic as an alternative to surgery to help with sinus problems. It is not a cure for sinus headaches, but those who are affected often find relief with this type of care. But how does it help in the relief of sinusitis?

Chiropractic care helps in relieving the stress within the nervous system and body structure. It helps your body to perform more efficiently, and allows the drainage of your sinuses. If your body is working correctly, your resistance to disease and sickness improves. Also, your reaction to irritants such as dirt, temperature changes, and pollen can lessen and possibly stop completely. Everyone needs a healthy body and a properly working nervous system to function better as a whole, to have improved resistance and to be healthier overall.

Chiropractic care can also treat allergies which are linked to sinusitis. Many people who are suffering from allergies have found relief with this type of care. This is not because it is an allergy treatment, but because it helps your body to function better. If your immune system is doing well, it will prevent and eliminate any harmful pathogens that may be in your body such as bacteria, germs and viruses. This, of course, helps you to be more resistant against infections, diseases and allergies.