East End Chiropractic

Treating foot pain using chiropractic care helps encourage proper movement, and adjust skeletal biomechanics. Chiropractic foot care treatment improves the condition of the feet and lower extremities. It is essential for people who suffer daily pressure on their feet. Chiropractic treatment is a method of treating diseases and pain without using any drugs, medicines or surgery. The major purpose of chiropractic care for the foot is to ensure proper blood and nerve flow, and to re-establish correct skeletal biomechanics. This can be done through patient exercises, soft tissue work, and chiropractic adjustments.

A chiropractic physician uses basic treatments like chiropractic manipulation or chiropractic adjustments. The treatment is more focused on the bone, applying a manual push directly to the bone to move it to its right position and motion and to improve joint mobility. Chiropractic is done not just in the feet, but also on any other joint in the body. The foot is a complex part of the body that consists of more than 100 ligaments, tendons and muscles, 33 joints, and 26 bones. The function of the feet is for foundation, driving force, and absorbing shock. Correct foot biomechanics will enhance balance, mobility, foundation, and support. The weight that the foot carries daily and the continuous use of them makes them likely to suffer from skeletal misalignments and overuse consequences.

Incorrect foot biomechanics lead to unfavorable conditions in the foot and lower extremities such as Achilles tendonitis, runner’s knee, shin splints, iliotibial band syndrome and plantar fasciitis. These are painful conditions that may limit your activities. These are caused by continuous foot stress and improper movement of the feet. Chiropractic foot care can solve these problems. This type of foot care improves foot movement. The chiropractor generally solves foot problems by eliminating the source of foot pain. Patient education and understanding reduces the effect of foot symptoms and joint problems, and causes proper use of the feet.

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.

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.

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.

Are you suffering from chronic neck pain or lower back pain? Are you a pregnant woman tormented by back pain? Does your child have dislocated joints from a sports injury? Any of these situations can call for treatment. One method of treatment for the pain you may be suffering is called chiropractic care.

Chiropractic care pertains to a non-surgical and drug-free treatment on the neuro-musculoskeletal system. This type of health care focuses on treating problems on the spine, pelvis, body muscles, bones, joints and cognitive body tissues such as tendons, cartilage and ligaments. The word chiropractic was derived from the words “cheir” which is referring to hands and “praxis” which means action. These 2 Greek words are understood as “done by hands” treatment which is considered a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Here are the 2 methods typically used by chiropractors to treat various musculoskeletal problems:

• Spinal manipulation – This is known as achiropractic adjustment. This is applied to improve the functionality of abnormal vertebra in the body and reduce nerve irritation. This method is the usual treatment plan for lower back pain. It is a passive way of maneuvering the three-joint complex of the body but not to disrupt or smash up the joints to normalize its function. The abrupt force causing perceptible joint loosening enhances the function of the affected area.
• Mobilization – This refers to low velocity manipulation which only involves movement and stretching of muscles and body joints to increase the range of motion.

This type of care does not use drugs or surgery for treatment. Instead it, uses message and physical therapy to correct body posture. Once the bones, joints and ligaments of the affected area are aligned, relief can be achieved. Though this type of treatment is generally very effective, it is not advisable for individuals suffering from osteoporosis. Before seeking chiropractic treatment, consult with your doctor to make sure your body is able to accept this type of care.

There are many hard working men and women who suffer with neck pain, lower back pain and upper back problems. Each year, there are people who experience these types of pain, but they are afraid to go see a doctor. Typically, this is because doctors often just prescribe pain pills.

They should seek the help of a licensed chiropractor. The sound of the Chiropractor’s crack is just the escaping air in between your joints, and that should give you some relief from your pain. If you have any major back pain, your chiropractor should be able to make some adjustments, but remember, it will take a few visits in order for the chiropractor to alleviate your pain.

How can I avoid having a lower back problem?

Make sure to bend your knees when you are trying to lift heavy objects. This will prevent you from hurting your lower back. At the same time, you should also regularly check in with your chiropractor. This will give them a chance to reassess your back as needed. Keeping your back strong through exercise can also help, along with regular stretching.

Can a chiropractor help my grandfather who has lower back pain? He’s 90 years old.

It doesn’t really matter how old we are. Chiropractors have a way of treating seniors. They will still be able to make adjustments, but the treatment will be more gentle. Their bones are a bit more brittle than a younger person. Some seniors don’t want their back to be cracked, so that is easy to accomodate.

How about younger children? Is it okay for them to get chiropractic treatment?

Kids are flexible, so a licensed chiropractor will be able to safely treat them. Of course, treatment of any kind should only be sought when necessary.

It is in your best interest to find the best chiropractor available. You should always check the credentials of the chiropractor you are interested in seeing before you or your family begins treatment. A good chiropractor will never be afraid to post their credentials.

Don’t be afraid to go see your local chiropractor. In most cases, your back and neck pain can be dealt with without surgery or medication.

Many thanks to the hundreds of people who stopped by our booth at the Tomato Festival!  It was great to meet many new people and see so many friends and patients that we haven’t seen in a while!

Of all of the different things that drive people into my office, one of my favorite things to work with is headaches. Most headaches that I see are directly related to the neck!  Most primary care providers do not recognize this link, and typically prescribe a variety of drugs that range from anti-inflammatories to pain killers (sometimes narcotic) to antiseizure medication and sometimes antidepressant medication.  Certainly there are instances where these products are needed.  However, in most cases, reconditioning the neck with chiropractic adjustments and therapeutic exercises does the trick!

If you or someone you know suffers from headaches, it’s worth exploring the possibility of chiropractic.  When compared to the risks associated with the above mentioned pharmaceutical products, chiropractic is exponentially safer.  Again, some cases do not respond to chiropractic. An evaluation of your particular case will be necessary.  Chances are that WE CAN HELP!

We are so proud to welcome our new chiropractic assistant, Courtney Tocket!  Courtney has spent several years in the dental field as a dental assistant.  After some changes in her course of study, she is ready to take on the therapeutic exercise instruction part of our office.  Everybody loves Courtney!  It’s exciting to think of how many people she will be able to help in our office.

Marah, our recently married office manager, joined us in February, 2011.  She has taken her music business background and has tweaked it extensively to become an insurance coding, billing, documentation, HIPPAA compliance, scheduling GENIUS!

New X-ray equipment.  Within the next week or so, we’ll be using our very own x-ray equipment!  No more sending our patients to a packed imaging center way across town!  Our new equipment is microprocessor- controlled to use the minimal amount of radiation to make a high-quality diagnostic image.  This X-ray machine uses about 30% less radiation than machines made just 10 years ago!

Just a word of gratitude to my patients.  Thank you for allowing me to serve you this past year.  I consider it an honor to be trusted with that most valuable asset, your health.  Have a wonderful and restful holiday season.  I look forward to working with you next year!