Conditions
Chiropractic treatment helps to reduce
pain and discomfort, and promotes health and wellbeing. This is
achieved by ensuring that the nervous system, (which runs largely
through the spine), does so without impingement or compression,
by confirming that the spine, and the vertebral segments that make
up the spine, are all working optimally.
A wide range of conditions can benefit from Chiropractic care; here
is a list of the most common:
Back pain
Almost everyone gets back pain at some time. A survey carried out by the BCA
in 2004, found that at any one time in the UK, 33% of the population
are suffering back pain, and up to 80% of the adult population will
suffer significant back pain at some time in their lives.
Back pain can vary from a slight niggling ache, to sharp debilitating
pain that can radiate to other areas of the body. Some causes of
back pain are poor posture, bad seating, unsupportive beds and pillows,
incorrect lifting, sedentary lifestyle, stress both physical and
mental, injury, sports injuries and pregnancy, the list goes on.
The most important key to treating back pain is to identify the
origin of the problem, and not to just treat the symptoms, which
can often be confusing. But this approach commonly leads to conditions
resolving faster, and with fewer complications, and with less chance
of recurrence.
Neck pain and whiplash
Your neck supports the weight of your head, and allows it to move,
and also contains the vast majority of the nerves which connect
your brain to the rest of your body. With the amount of driving,
computer work, and other daily activities that most of us do, it
is not surprising that many people suffer from neck problems. Losing
the proper movement in the joints of your neck, may interfere with
the healthy working of nerves which run through it, causing an irritation
to these nerves, this in turn can lead to pain in the area of the
body where these nerves end up, this is called ‘referred pain’.
Neck problems may also lead to chronic muscle tension in the
neck and shoulders, causing discomfort in the neck shoulders and
base of the skull, and often leading to headaches.
Whiplash injuries need not be only a result of a car accident.
A slip or fall can give you a whiplash type injury, and a sudden
movement, especially if it is repetitive, can give you an injury
as well. Damage from a whiplash injury can give a variety of symptoms
including dizziness, light headedness, neck pain, headache, arm
pain, fatigue and poor concentration.
As with back pain the key element to treating a whiplash injury
is to consider, and treat the whole body. Often with a whiplash
injury, it might be only the neck which is painful, but the whole
body was involved in the trauma, so not uncommonly there will be
other problems which may not be obvious, which if untreated may
delay the healing process, or in some cases prevent it happening
at all.
Whiplash injuries may occur at relatively low speed, and pain
may not be evident at the time of the accident, because the body
has an ability to compensate initially. Problems can arise days
or weeks later, and at that time it may not always be clear where
and why the pain is there. Usually this will become clear during
the initial examination and history taking.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a general term describing pain from irritation of the
sciatic nerve and its branches. The sciatic nerve is a collection
of spinal nerve roots arising from the lower back. These nerves
can become aggravated by abnormal functioning of the spinal vertebrae,
bulging of the spinal discs (often called "slipped disc") or even
by tight muscles around it. Sciatic pain can be felt anywhere in
the leg and it can even extend to the foot. Even when sciatica originates
from the lower part of the spine, low back pain isn't necessarily
present. Your chiropractor will identify the cause of the irritation
and provide treatment at the source of the problem.
Leg, foot and buttock pain
Leg pain doesn't always mean there is something wrong with the leg
itself. Because of the way our nervous system functions, you may,
for example, have pain in your foot when the problem actually lies
in your lower back. Your chiropractor will be able to identify whether
the source of your problem is where you feel the pain (such as that
with arthritic pain), or if it is radiating from another part of
your body, and then treat you accordingly.
Headaches, migraine and dizziness
Headaches are very common. Because they are so common, most people
think it is normal to have headaches. It is not! Painkillers might
give some relief from your headaches, but they do not address the
cause of the problem. There are many types of headaches. Tension
headaches are often associated with our hectic lifestyle and stress.
Migraines can be very debilitating and disturbing. Sometimes there
is no headache to speak of, but symptoms may include visual and
hearing disturbances, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, even
vomiting. Dizzy spells can occur as part of migraine symptoms, with
headaches or on their own with no other associated symptoms. After
your chiropractor has carefully diagnosed your condition, he can
then give you recommendations for care. If yours is not a chiropractic
case, you will be referred to the appropriate health care provider.
Shoulder, arm and hand pain
As with leg pain, for arm pain the first and most important thing
to do is to determine what is causing it. Your chiropractor has
been trained to accurately diagnose the problem and treat accordingly.
Whether the pain is arising from frozen shoulder, tennis/golfers
elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury or radiating
from dysfunction in the neck, your chiropractor will explain to
you the best course of action.
Muscle tension
Muscle tension is very common these days and it can vary from a
slight sense of tightness to agonising pain. If muscle tension is
anything but transient, it can gradually start to affect the joints
that those muscles control. This may result in abnormal functioning
of the joint or misalignment of the bone, as tight muscles are pulling
it out of normal alignment. When the proper function of the joints
is restored, soft tissues relax, as they can once again contract
and relax normally. In most cases spinal manipulative therapy together
with specific stretches produce maximum results and can prevent
problems from recurring.
Prolapsed disc
The intervertebral discs are the shock absorbers of the spine. On
the outside they are layer upon layer of very tough fibrous material,
while the inside remains more gel-like. Technically, discs cannot
slip, because of the way they are attached to the vertebra above
and below. However, they can bulge, herniate, collapse and even
rupture. The physical changes in the disc will cause abnormal function
in the joint and can result in local pain. The bulging disc can
compress on the spinal cord and nerves and produce pain in an area
distant from the site of the problem. Sciatic pain in the leg is
a good example. You may find that the pain will eventually subside.
However, if spinal dysfunction remains uncorrected, you may develop
irreversible changes in the spine that can cause problems later
on in life. Your chiropractor will determine whether chiropractic
treatment is appropriate for your case. Most patients find remarkable
improvement in their symptoms and are soon able to return to normal
daily activities without painkillers and without surgery.
Nerve entrapment
Pinched nerves are relatively rare. Whilst it is not very common to have a
bone compressing on a nerve, it is much more common to irritate
a nerve by abnormal function or loading of the spinal vertebrae.
Irritation and compression can result in pain, muscle weakness,
pins and needles, numbness, burning sensation or any combination
of these symptoms. Once the exact location of nerve irritation has
been identified, your chiropractor can then get on with the job
of getting you out of pain and on the road to recovery.
Weakness, numbness, pins and needles
When a nerve is being irritated, or compressed, then the normal
flow of nerve impulses will be compromised. In many cases this can
result in muscular weakness, pins and needles, burning sensation
or numbness of the skin. Each nerve supplies specific muscles, reflexes
and areas of the skin. Your chiropractor can use this information
to pinpoint the exact origin of your problem and then put together
a treatment plan to address your individual needs.
Degenerative change: (wear
& tear)
Degeneration (Arthritis) of the joints in your body begins often
without you knowing, it happens to all of us, it is usually part
of a ‘normal’ ageing process. The general wear & tear of a lifetime
results in joints laying down extra bone in an attempt to support
a damaged or degenerative area. In general our bodies compensate
for this, and we feel little or no pain, but perhaps a slight loss
of normal movement in that area. This in turn may lead to inflammation
of the local area, nerve irritation, pain, and greater loss of movement
in the joint, or area.
Whilst Chiropractic cannot alter the irreversible changes that
Arthritis causes, it can improve function of surrounding areas,
thereby reducing pain and restriction in the affected area. Furthermore,
by maintaining function through regular check up’s, it is possible
to slow down the effects of degenerative changes, and promote healing
and generally reduce pain and inflammation.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is defined as a lateral curvature of the vertebral column.
There are broadly two types, functional and structural. Functional
scoliosis often occurs as a result of structural imbalance usually
in the pelvis, and often can be significantly improved. Structural
scoliosis is commonly congenital, more significant, and is often
picked up in early years, and may not be so amenable to Chiropractic
treatment.
Sports injuries
Whether you are an amateur sports enthusiast, or a top flight professional, your body is prone to the same kinds of injuries. Repeated stresses can lead to a slight loss of normal movement in the joints, of both your spine and extremities, which can in turn lead to compression or irritation of adjacent nerves and muscles, leading to pain and restriction. It is not unusual with sportsmen and women to carry on playing with injuries, which may not be debilitating, but over time become chronic, and unresolving. As increased functional demand is then placed on an incorrectly functioning area of the body, other misalignments, and imbalances and compensations occur.
Treating sports injuries is not just about treating pain and dysfunction, it is about maximising function and optimising performance, and significant improvements in sporting performance as a result are not unusual.
Pregnancy and chiropractic
Many physical, mental and hormonal changes take place during pregnancy
and these can put strain on a woman's body. Chiropractic care can
help women through the pregnancy. Low and mid-back pain as well
as pain in the pelvis and ribs are common during pregnancy. Chiropractic
care is generally suitable and safe throughout the pregnancy, during labour
and after giving birth. Prenatal care will address spinal and pelvic
problems and provide a drug free alternative to pain management.
It can also make giving birth easier by ensuring good alignment
of joints and ligaments. The birth process is stressful for both
the mother and the baby and many mothers choose to have a check-up
with their chiropractor after giving birth as well as having their
babies checked for birth trauma, joint misalignment and more.
Children and chiropractic
As children grow, chiropractic can help not only with the strains caused by the rough and tumble of life, but also with some of the problems that children can suffer in early years, Colic, sleeping and feeding problems, frequent ear infections, asthma and prolonged crying.
Also and most importantly, falls and injuries in childhood may not manifest at the time, as children are very resilient, and their bodies very forgiving and are able to compensate comprehensively. But dealing with a problem earlier, before it has a chance to become ingrained, and possibly produce problems later in life, is well worth doing.
Servicing your spine
Why do you get your car serviced regularly, even when it is running well? To ensure that it keeps running well! Once you have regained normal health, a regular check-up can help you keep your body in good working order.
Like a telephone network, your spinal cord delivers messages from your spine to your body, through the nervous system. The vertebrae, the bones of your spine, provide protection for this vital part of your body. As you go through life, a loss of proper function, (movement) in the vertebrae may interfere with the healthy working of your spine, and the nerves that run through it. This may affect your body’s natural ability to recover from injury, and you may find yourself feeling increasingly unwell, and unable to shake off apparently minor aches and pains, and even some illnesses.
‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. Regular check up’s help to maintain optimum health, and ensure that the body’s resistance to illness and injury is enhanced.
Back
to top
|
