The primary control center of this network is the nervous system, which flows through
and can be manipulated by the 24 vertebrae of the spinal column. The vertebrae are divided into three
classes – Cervical (C), Thoracic (T), and Lumbar (L).
By understanding the role that each vertebrae within the spinal column plays, a doctor of Chiropractic,
otherwise known as a Chiropractic Physician, can affect the way the body responds and restore a balance that facilitates
its own healing system.
The Chiropractic approach to healthcare is natural, emphasizing the components involved in a patient’s
overall health and well-being – including diet, exercise, environment, stress level and hereditary factors. The Chiropractic
approach is non-surgical and drug-free. As with their treatments, doctors of Chiropractic address not only the source of
pain an individual experiences, but the patient’s overall state of health and the factors surrounding it. They work with the
individual to devise a treatment consistent with diet and exercise for optimal results.
In order to gain the best understanding of a patient’s condition, a patient’s medical history is obtained,
along with their daily emotional and physical activity, neurological and orthopedic examinations when indicated and sometimes
laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic images.
Some Common Conditions Treated with Chiropractic Care
Pinched Nerve
A common cause of neck & back pain, the term pinched nerve means that a nerve has been compressed, constricted
or stretched in some way – causing numbness, tingling, burning sensations and/or a pain radiating outward
from the injured area. Nerves originating in the neck & back may become pinched and trigger pain, numbness
and tingling into the shoulder and arm. Often times bone spurs or degenerated discs affect the canal space
between vertebrae - through which the nerve passes. And occasionally a compressed nerve in the neck &
back is the result of a trauma to the neck & back may cause the vertebral joint to become inflamed and
the muscles of the back to tighten. Treatment concentrates on reducing the compression and help loosen muscles,
in order to reduce inflammation and corresponding pain.
Sciatica
The longest nerve in the body and the main nerve traveling
down the leg is the sciatic nerve. When pressure is
placed on the sciatic nerve from a ruptured disc,
pinched nerve, or slipped disk, the condition is referred
to as Sciatica. Sciatica causes a pain along the large
sciatic nerve - running from the lower back down the
back of each leg. Often diagnosed as a radiculopathy
- which means that a disc has protruded from its normal
position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure
on the radicular nerve (nerve root) connecting with
the sciatic nerve - it is a fairly common cause of
lower back and leg pain. Generally, sciatica only
affects one side of the lower body – radiating from
the lower back down through the thigh and lower leg,
but can in some cases also affect the foot or toes.
Since this type of nerve pain is generally caused
by a combination of pressure and inflammation on the
nerve root, treatment is centered on relieving both.
Scoliosis
The irregular side-to-side curvature of the spine
is called scoliosis and cannot be corrected with
better
posture. It is generally a hereditary condition and
affects only a small percentage of the population.
Scoliosis
usually develops during middle to late childhood
and the vast majority of cases are considered
̉idiopathic,Ó
or of unknown cause. While it can occur in children
with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or spinal
bifida,
it is most often found in otherwise healthy children.
Adult scoliosis may represent the
progression of an undiagnosed condition that began
in childhood.
A slight curve may,
in adulthood, have progressed to a more severe
curvature in the absence of treatment. It can also
be caused
by the degenerative changes of the spine. Other
spinal deformities
may be associated with osteoporosis, or bone softening.
The
usual scoliosis curve is a Thoracic curve (chest
level). Treatment of this condition varies on the
patient and severity of the scoliosis, but generally
concentrates
on muscle imbalances and bony deformities of
the spine, ribs and pelvis
If left untreated, severe adult
scoliosis can lead to chronic severe back pain, deformity
and difficulty breathing. Some early signs in children
may be: uneven shoulders, obvious leaning to one side,
uneven waist, prominent shoulder blade(s), and elevated
hips.
Headaches
Chiropractic treats a variety of headaches successfully
from tension headaches to cluster and migraine headaches.
Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome
When the ulnar nerve, which runs from the side of
the neck to the fingers and passes through the cubital
tunnel on the inside of the elbow, becomes irritated
as a result of an injury or repetitive stress, the
resulting condition is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It
occurs when the elbow is often bent in lifting or
pulling activities, subjected to the continuous pressure
of leaning on a hard surface, or sustains injury.
The pain experienced is similar to that which is described
when hitting the "funny" bone in the elbow.
Other symptoms may include numbness in the side or
back of the hand, or tingling in the ring and little
fingers. The symptoms worsen when the elbow is bent
and may cause difficulty when opening jars or holding
things.
Subluxation
Often referred to as nerve interference, vertebral
sublaxation is the misalignment of vertebrae in the
spinal column, or movement of the vertebrae. Often
times when this occurs, nerves are encroached – affecting
the nervous system and the function of involved organs.
By realignment the affected vertebrae, nerve interference
is eliminated and proper bodily function is restored.
Injuries
Leading to Conditions Treated with Chiropractic Care
Among the most common injuries that result
in conditions treated with Chiropractic care include
on-the-job injuries, sports injuries and injuries
resulting from automobile accidents. Ranging from
tennis elbow and a pinched nerve to subluxation, injuries
prompting such conditions can result from repetitive
stress, such as that experienced in many job-related
activities; an awkward move, twist or fall that often
occurs in sports; and an unexpected jolt from an automobile
accident.
An injury prompting such a condition may be immediately
evident, or surface over time as chronic pain, discomfort
and decreased levels of functioning. And though pain
may be felt in the shoulder or extremity such as the
knee, ankle, foot, wrist and elbow, the nervous system
is the central networking system that links to the
source of all pain - and the spinal column the key
to isolating it
Sports
injuries
As our population becomes more active we see a variety
of sports injuries from golf, tennis, soccer, running,
basketball, football, baseball, water skiing and even
rugby.
On
the Job Injuries
All of the above injuries can be sustained on-the-job
where the condition can go from a pulled muscle to
a herniated disc to carpal tunnel problems. We are
on the *Worker's Compensation Approved Doctor List
*for Texas.
Automobile
Accidents
Injuries of all types are also sustained in car accidents.
Whether your car is totaled or the vehicle damage
is slight, you can sustain many types of injuries
from mild to severe which may respond to chiropractic
care.
Maintenance Treatment
Chiropractic can also be helpful in helping maintain
your alignment, therefore, helping prevent future
problems and helping decrease recovery time if an
injury is sustained. You do not have to be experiencing
symptoms to benefit from manipulation/adjustment.
Stay healthy--see your chiropractor once a month and
see how much better you will feel.
