Chiropractic treatment focuses on manipulating and aligning the musculoskeletal system (especially the spine) to improve functioning. Venn Chiropractic and Wellness Center can help reduce pain in muscles and joints by increasing blood flow and nerve conductivity.
Patients should always get clearance from their medical doctor before receiving spinal manipulation. People who have a herniated disc or take blood thinners should not receive this treatment.
Back pain is a common condition that affects eight out of ten Americans. It usually develops from a muscle strain or spinal deformity. The resulting ache can be felt anywhere from the neck to the lower back. The pain may also travel down the arms and legs depending on where the nerves are affected.
Chiropractors are trained to diagnose back pain through touch and visual examination. They can perform spinal manipulation to help restore alignment and ease inflammation. They can also prescribe pain medications and recommend physical therapy, which strengthens muscles to support the spine and reduces pain.
Acupuncture is another effective treatment for chronic back pain. This ancient eastern practice involves inserting extremely thin needles at strategic points and varying depths in the body to stimulate the central nervous system and jump-start your body’s natural healing process. It also relieves stress, which can be a major contributor to back pain.
Other treatments for chronic back pain include massage therapy, ice packs and heat wraps, acupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy. In addition, a chiropractor may suggest a change in lifestyle to minimize pain, such as taking breaks when lifting and making several trips when carrying heavy objects. They can also provide tips on sleeping, posture and healthy work habits. Although rare, chiropractic treatments can worsen herniated disks or aggravate a spinal cord injury, so patients should obtain clearance from their medical doctors before starting treatment.
Headaches can be a debilitating and painful experience. They can cause severe pain, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to light, smell, sound, and temperature. They often come in a cluster and last for hours or days. They are one of the most common causes of missed work and lost productivity. Thankfully, many people can find relief from their symptoms with a visit to their chiropractor.
The most common type of headache is a tension headache, which manifests as a dull or aching pain that wraps around the forehead or temples. This headache is most commonly linked to stress and poor posture. Chiropractors can address this problem by focusing on the neck and spine, releasing tightened muscles and decreasing nerve pressure. They may also recommend lifestyle changes and soft tissue therapy like massage.
Migraine headaches are much more intense and piercing, and they can be associated with visual disturbances, sensitivity to light or sound, vomiting, and eye watering. They can be caused by a number of different things, including food, alcohol, and stress. Fortunately, chiropractic treatment has been shown to be effective at treating migraine headaches.
Chiropractors have been successful at reducing the frequency and severity of migraine headaches by addressing the root causes, including spinal manipulation, lifestyle change, and soft tissue therapy. They can also perform acupuncture, which involves the insertion of small needles in specific points that are believed to trigger headaches.
The neck, or cervical spine, has seven small vertebrae that support the weight of your head. The neck is also extremely flexible, allowing you to move your head in nearly every direction. These traits, however, make the neck especially susceptible to pain and injury. Over time, poor posture, repetitive movements, falls and blows to the body or head, and aging can cause neck pain and stiffness.
Neck pain can be sharp or dull, and may spread to your shoulders, arms and hands. It can also cause numbness and tingling. Chiropractors can treat a variety of neck problems, including a herniated cervical disk, which causes pain by compressing spinal nerves that carry information from your brain to the rest of your body.
Studies show that chiropractic treatment for neck pain improves symptoms and decreases the need for prescription pain relievers. During your first visit, your chiropractor will take a detailed health history and perform a physical exam. They will look at your neck to see its range of motion and note any movement that triggers pain. They will feel your spine to assess its curvature and alignment, and they will test your reflexes and muscle strength. Your chiropractor will also perform a neurological exam and ask you questions about your neck pain to help pinpoint the source of the problem. They will then use hands-on spinal manipulation to gently reposition your spine and joints, which reduces pressure on nerves and increases mobility and flexibility.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a painful condition that occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm to your hand, becomes compressed in the wrist. It can cause pain, tingling and numbness in the fingers, thumb and most of the palm. The median nerve controls feeling in the fingers and thumb, as well as adding strength to your grip. It also provides coordination and balance. Repetitive movements that involve forceful flexing and extension of your wrist like typing on a keyboard, using a mouse, holding the phone to your ear or playing the piano can cause irritation of the median nerve and lead to CTS.
Chiropractors use manual manipulation of the wrist, arm and hand joints and ligaments to improve movement, reduce swelling, relieve pressure and decrease numbness and pain. They may also use soft tissue therapies and trigger point therapy to release tight muscles that contribute to the condition.
Your chiropractor will perform a diagnostic test to determine whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome. The doctor will have you flex your wrist and keep it flexed for a minute or two. If the backs of your hands and fingers tingle or become numb, you likely have carpal tunnel syndrome. In addition to chiropractic treatment, your chiropractor can recommend a wrist splint for nighttime wear. It can help prevent you from flexing and extending your wrist while sleeping, which can cause the problem to return.
Many people seek chiropractic treatment for injuries and pain in their joints, muscles, ligaments or tendons. These problems may be caused by work, sports or just daily activities such as cleaning and cooking. While most chiropractic treatments focus on spinal manipulation, they can also treat other joint and muscle problems, as well as headaches. In addition, chiropractors are trained to do neurological examinations (testing your reflexes and checking for numbness).
A common injury related to sports is a sprain. A sprain happens when you overstretch or tear your ligaments, which connect one bone to another in your joints. Mild strains can occur if you rapidly change direction or are running and jumping. Other sports-related injuries include bruising and concussion, which are caused by blows to your head or body.
Chiropractors can treat your sports injury and help prevent future problems by restoring proper movement and posture to your body. They can also offer nutritional and exercise counseling, as well as lifestyle advice to help improve your quality of life. They typically work as part of a health care team, collaborating with physicians and physiotherapists. They are often found in private practice clinics, interprofessional health teams and family health teams, as well as at hospitals. In addition, they are active community members and often volunteer their time in health care projects such as public education and research. An Environics Research Group study commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Wellness reported that 26 per cent of saw a chiropractor in 2017.
Back pain and neck pain caused by poor posture are common problems. This type of pain is a result of imbalances in the load placed on muscles, ligaments and discs. Typically, this imbalance causes the muscles to become short and tense, while others become long and weak. Over time, this can lead to a number of health complications including a sore or stiff neck and shoulder, spinal dysfunction, stooped shoulders and a potbelly.
Poor posture is a common problem that can affect people of all ages and genders. It is often a result of a lifestyle choice, such as sitting or standing in the same position for long periods of time or wearing high heels. It can also be caused by muscle imbalances, pregnancy and aging. It can even be a result of repetitive movements, like typing or using a computer or cell phone for extended periods of time.
A chiropractor can help address posture problems by performing an assessment and reviewing the condition of the spine and joints. They can then initiate movements that will help restore a full range of motion, improve flexibility and encourage good posture. Chiropractors can also recommend stretches and exercises that will strengthen the muscles that support the spine and improve posture. This can help reduce pain, increase energy levels and provide a better sense of vitality. In addition, chiropractors can correct postural abnormalities that obstruct breathing by restoring proper spinal alignment and allowing full lung capacity.