Category: Chiropractic

What is a Doctor of Chiropractic?

6/1/2020

Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

DCs may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other health care providers.

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be a patient’s primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic services may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal pain associated with the condition.

Like their medical colleagues, chiropractors are subject to the boundaries established in state practice acts and are regulated by state licensing boards. Their education in four-year doctoral graduate school programs is nationally accredited through an agency that operates under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Education. After graduation, they must pass national board exams before obtaining a license to practice, and then must maintain their license annually by earning continuing education (CE) credits through state-approved CE programs.

https://handsdownbetter.org/about-chiropractic/

Your Body, Your Baby -- Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

4/1/2020

Many women who are pregnant and experiencing headaches, neck and back pain may be looking for relief and a way to avoid using pain medications. Drugs and surgery are absolutely needed at times, but when pregnant, serious consideration is needed for the safety of both mom and baby. For those who are seeking a natural and effective way of treating a spinal condition, chiropractic care may be right for you. As a chiropractor/acupuncturist serving the Oklahoma City area, I have had the honor of treating numerous expecting moms with great results.

Pregnant bodies need a flexible and balanced spine, hips, and pelvis; internal organs need to be free of postural stress, as well as, nerve stress. During pregnancy, may physiological changes occur within the body as it prepares for the growth and delivery of the baby. Such changes with the growth of the abdomen can include pelvic changes, increased curvature of the back, swelling, and inflammation of the joints. With these changes, a misalignment of a joint or the spine can likely occur. Misaligned joints of the body along with the increasing weight of the growing baby can put a tremendous amount of pressure on the spine and organs.

It has been observed that 50-70% of pregnant women suffer from lower back pain. It is also highly common for pregnant moms to experience headaches, neck pain, and shoulder tension. When it comes to chiropractic care for pregnant moms, there are no adverse effects, unlike those which come along with many medications. The benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include: a healthier pregnancy and baby, help in the control of nausea symptoms, an easier and safer delivery, and relief of back and neck pain. An adjustment can highly reduce spinal nerve stress, promote healing throughout the body, and increase proper positioning for the delivery. It is also important to remember to continue your chiropractic care regularly after childbirth to ensure good health for yourself as a busy mom and for your growing child.

It is important during pregnancy to seek out options that support your body's natural abilities to function and heal. Chiropractic care will help ensure that all the body's systems are functioning to there best capacity which will promote a easier pregnancy, a safer delivery, and a healthy newborn. Along with a better diet, exercise, and avoiding drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, chiropractic care should be an essential part of a pregnant woman’s healthcare regimen.

*Read this article written by Dr. Seyoung Kim for "BragBook Magazine" in the Spring/Summer 2011 Issue

Surprise: Chiropractors Can Treat These 5 Conditions

4/30/2017

1. Migraines and tension headaches

What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do?

Perform spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate stress on your system.
Provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet or the addition of vitamins.
Offer advice on posture, ergonomics, exercises and relaxation techniques.

2. Stress and anxiety

What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do?

Chiropractors can release muscle tension, one effect of chronic stress that leads to nerve irritation and creates uneven pressures on the body's bony structures, which can cause the spinal column to become misaligned. This, in turn, helps the body return to a more balanced, relaxed state.
Chiropractic adjustments can reduce spinal nerve irritation and improve blood circulation, which can help signal the brain to turn off the "fight or flight" response and begin the healing process.
A doctor of chiropractic can suggest nutritional supplements, like B complex vitamins, to help the body cope with stress.
A chiropractor can also recommend relaxation techniques and discuss posture and environmental changes to help you recover from chronic stress.

3. Fibromyalgia

What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do?

Chiropractors are trained as neuromusculoskeletal specialists, and one of the main focuses of chiropractic care is the positive impact it can have on a person's nervous system. Therefore, chiropractic adjustments can improve a FM patient's nervous system, which gives them a better chance for recovery.
Chiropractic care can treat pressure points, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches and pain from musculoskeletal injuries.
Chiropractors can also reduce a patient's overall pain through spinal adjustments that increase the mobility between spinal vertebrae, which have become restricted, locked or slightly out of proper position, thereby increasing cervical and lumbar range of motion.

4. Weak immune systems

What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do?

Chiropractic care is the only way to detect and eliminate subluxation, and chiropractic adjustments have been shown to reduce the stress on the nervous system, thereby boosting the coordinated responses of the nervous and immune systems.
One research group found that when an adjustment was applied to a subluxated area, the white blood cell count collected rose significantly.
Another study measured the effects of six months of regular chiropractic care on the immune system function of HIV patients. At the end of six months of care, the patients who had received regular adjustments showed a 48 percent increase in the number of CD4+ T cells, whereas patients who had not been adjusted showed an 8 percent decrease in CD4+ T cells.

5. Flexibility

What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do?

A chiropractor uses spinal adjustments and manipulations to other parts of the body to realign the bones and joints so as to reduce pain, restore range of motion and improve flexibility, balance and coordination.
Your chiropractor can also recommend specific exercises that can be done at home to increase your strength and flexibility so that you're able to maintain and build upon the gains from your chiropractic adjustments.
Regular chiropractic care can reduce or eliminate the source of your back and joint pain, allowing you to resume your normal activities and to remain more flexible into your golden years.

Source: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2015/11/30/surprise-chiropractors-can-treat-these-5-conditions

Chiropractic for Hip Pain

1/31/2017

How Chiropractic Can Help Hip Pain

After performing a careful physical examination and evaluating your familial and personal history, a doctor of chiropractic can work to determine the source of your hip pain. Your chiropractor will create a personalized treatment plan that could include chiropractic adjustments, exercise therapy, posture advice, stretching, massage, coordination with other health practitioners, and more. Treatments will aim to reduce inflammation, relax any existing muscle spasms, strengthen weakened muscles, and improve the mobility of the joint.
Depending on the cause of your hip pain, chiropractic adjustments could help.
Multiple studies have found that chiropractic adjustments are effective in relieving sciatica, a common cause of pain in the hip and lower back. In a study comparing the efficacy of chiropractic to surgery for sciatica, 60% of chiropractic patients with severe sciatica had substantially improved symptoms that enabled them to avoid surgery.2 Cases studies have also suggested that chiropractic can relieve pain associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction and Piriformis syndrome, which both frequently result in hip pain.3-4
Some patients with hip osteoarthritis (HOA) have also benefited from chiropractic care. In one study, 83% of HOA patients improved within nine visits to a chiropractor. Treatment included axial manipulation of the hip, stretching, and full kinetic chain treatment ( manipulative therapy to the spine, knee, ankle, or foot when appropriate).5
Natural treatments of hip pain can allow patients to avoid the costs and risks of surgery and drugs. Contact a chiropractor to learn more about non-invasive relief of hip pain.

see full article: http://www.chironexus.net/2012/10/how-chiropractic-can-help-with-hip-pain/

Chiropractic for Plantar Fasciitis

12/31/2016

Chiropractic care can help.

Pronounced as "plantar fash-ee-eye-tis". Plantar means "Foot". Fasciitis means "Inflammation". It is a condition that can lead to pain on the bottom of the foot.

Plantar Fasciitis is a serious and painful condition that occurs when the long, flat ligament along the bottom of the foot develops tears and inflammation. Serious cases of plantar fasciitis can possibly lead to ruptures in the ligament. This ligament is called the plantar fascia and it extends from your five toes and runs along the bottom of your foot, attaching to your heel. When you walk or run, you land on your heel and raise yourself on your toes as you shift your weight to your other foot, causing all your weight to be held up by your plantar fascia. Such repetitive force can pull the fascia from its attachment on your heel and cause damage and plantar fasciitis.

Many factors can cause plantar fasciitis to develop. When walking with a normal step, the plantar fascia ligament stretches as the foot strikes the ground. When walking with an abnormal step, or when putting repetitive pressure on the heel, the plantar fascia ligament can stretch irregularly, become stressed, and develop small tears. These small tears can cause the fascia ligament to become inflamed (plantar fasciitis).

The pain from plantar fasciitis can be described as a dull ache or sharp pain. Plantar fasciitis tends to worsen after standing or exercising for prolonged periods or after getting out of bed in the morning. Morning heel pain from plantar fasciitis is one of the most common symptoms. As the person walks, the fascia "warms up" and lengthens slightly, reducing the tension on the ligament and lessening the pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
The repetitive stress of certain conditions or activities commonly leads to plantar fasciitis. Among those conditions that may cause plantar fasciitis:

Biomechanical factors, such as abnormal inward twisting of the foot (pronation), high arches, flat feet, or tight tendons along the back of the heel (Achilles tendon).
Excessive pronation has been found in about 85% of those who suffer from plantar fasciitis. Prontion can be responsible for added tension in the plantar fascia as the arch lowers during standing or walking.
Repetitive pressure on the feet, such as from jobs or activities that require prolonged walking or standing on hard or irregular surfaces. Running and exercise can also lead to wear and tear on the plantar fascia.
Aggravating factors, such as being overweight or having poorly cushioned shoes.
Natural process of aging which may cause tissue in the heels to weaken over time and/or promote wear and tear.
In rare cases, a single, traumatic injury to the foot such as from a motor vehicle accident can cause the onset of plantar fasciitis.

Chiropractic adjustments of your feet and appropriate lifestyle modifications can help restore function and relieve pain.

http://www.normandalechiropractic.com/chiropractic_plantar_fasciitis.html

Chiropractic for Knee Injuries

11/30/2016

When should I get Chiropractic treatment?

If knee pain is limiting your day-to-day or sporting activities.
You have been given painkillers or taken anti-inflammatories and been told to rest with no long-term improvement.
You have been told you have arthritis and there is nothing that can be done.
Knee pain or restricted motion.

Then Chiropractic treatment may be the answer.

The knee is a complex joint that relies heavily on ligaments and muscles for stability. When pain is perceived as coming from the knee, all the anatomical components need to be examined, and in addition to the knee joint, the low back, pelvis, hip, ankle and foot need to be examined due to the direct influence they have on the knee, and vice versa.

Our approach to assessing and treating the knee includes the evaluation of the other joints and muscles relating to the knee. This is for several reasons:

Pain can often be referred from other structures in the low back, pelvis and hip into the knee.
If other joints in the lower limbs are not working correctly they can put increased stress on the knee joint, resulting in injury over time. Therefore to resolve the knee pain, we may also treat other areas, to maximize long-term improvement.

What kind of treatment can I expect?
Of course, every patient receives a personalized plan for their specific condition, but typical treatment may include:

Reduce joint inflammation and reduce pain.

Avoid aggravating factors
Use of support
Ice to reduce inflammation, muscle spasm and pain
Soft tissue healing with ultrasound and interferential therapy

Normalize joint function.

Specific chiropractic manipulation techniques to areas of restricted movement in the knee and surrounding joints, to increase movement, improve the function and reduce pain.

Rehabilitation program.

When appropriate, we may introduce exercises to improve strength, endurance and stability, and to prevent new injuries.

http://www.normandalechiropractic.com/chiropractic_knee_injuries.html

Chiropractic for Babies

8/31/2016

Taking Your Baby to the Chiropractor - One Mom's ExperienceBeing a parent to an infant is such a rewarding experience, albeit a trying one. One week you get the baby sleeping through the night, then the next week they hardly sleep a wink. I found myself in the same position with an eight-month-old baby. She was making life miserable so, out of desperation, I took her to the Chiropractor.
My daughter, Elliana, had been to the Chiropractor at three months and the simple, painless adjustment helped my little one with her symptoms of acid reflux, thus helping her sleep through the night. Then at eight months, sleeping became non-existent as my daughter was on the brink of huge developmental milestones, such as crawling, the arrival of her teeth, and learning to pull herself up. Of course with most babies, when they aren’t getting a good night’s sleep, it usually means they are cranky and fussy all day long.
The Chiropractor gently checked her, and said that she was misaligned on her right side. He then did a few gentle manipulations. As soon as we got home, she had a great nap and woke up refreshed and happier. I don’t think it is a coincidence that she was finally able to crawl and pull herself up a few days later, either. I think having the adjustment made moving a little bit easier for her to figure out.
I also credit the Chiropractic adjustment for helping her through her first bout of illness. About a week after the adjustment, we both caught a virus going around. While it hit her body pretty hard, she was still happy and calm throughout the sickness. I believe Chiropractic care helped her nervous system and immune system fight off the sickness faster and without the complications.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Babies?

It is natural for parents to fear the Chiropractor for their babies. As adults, getting an adjustment can mean a lot of pressure and cracks. However, Chiropractors do not take the same approach of adjustments for babies as they do adults. Instead, adjustments for babies are gentle and many times will go unnoticed by the baby.
Dr. Tammy Portolese of Portolese Family Chiropractic says, "When there is a misalignment of the spine, the nerves that flow out to all of the organs are compromised, so when we do an adjustment we're simply taking pressure, nerve stress, off the spine, so the body can express itself." She says that the pressure used on a baby is equivalent to the pressure one uses to check a tomato for ripeness. Chiropractic care has also proven to be safer and more effective than prescription medications and antibiotics.

Will My Baby Cry During a Chiropractic Adjustment?

This really depends on the baby and the age of the baby. Elliana did not cry when she received an adjustment at three months, but she cried at the eight month one. However, babies that do cry during an adjustment are not crying out of pain. Instead, it is usually out of fear from something new happening or the fact that a stranger is touching them.

What are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Infants?

Regular Chiropractic care can help relieve the following in babies:

Ear infections and ear aches
Colic and acid reflux
Fussiness
Feeding and breastfeeding/latching issues

Chiropractic care in babies also keeps babies healthier because their nervous system and immune system are supported. If you are still unsure of whether or not to take your baby to the Chiropractor, talk with your child’s Pediatrician. Many doctors agree with Chiropractic care, or at least recognize there are very little risks involved with Chiropractic care.

http://www.thejoint.com/california/long-beach/long-beach-31029/taking-your-baby-to-the-chiropractor-one-moms-expe

How Chiropractic Treatment Helps Posture

7/31/2016

Posture is position of the body while standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture, also referred to as neutral spine, has many health benefits, including the avoidance of injury back pain. Chiropractic can help improve and maintain posture.

Why is Posture ImportantAppearance benefits with good posture are obvious, but there are many less-obvious health benefits you should know. Good posture can:

Maintain correct alignment of bones and joints
Reduce stress on ligaments, minimizing risk of injury
Prevent muscle strain, overuse and pain
Conserve energy as muscles are used more efficiently
Decrease abnormal joint wear

Research has shown that poor postures may increase feelings of depression, affect your digestive tract and influence confidence and stress levels.

Signs You have Poor PostureThere are many indicators of poor posture, but some of the more common are hunched shoulders, rounded shoulders, rounded upper back, forward head carriage and arched lower back. Another indicator is back pain. Unsure if you have good posture? Talk to your chiropractor or schedule an appointment for a spinal examination.

Factors that Contribute to Poor Posture There are several common factors linked to poor posture:

Stress
Obesity
Pregnancy
Weak postural muscles
Abnormally tight muscles
High-heeled shoes

How to Maintain or Correct PostureThe first step is awareness! Bring your attention to your posture as you sit, stand or lie down. If you're sitting, keep both feet on the floor or a footrest, don't cross your legs and use low-back support. While standing, keep your knees slightly bent, relax your arms and pull your shoulders back. When lying down it's critical to choose the right mattress and pillow, and avoid sleeping on your stomach.

Importance of Chiropractic Care and TherapiesYour chiropractor can help you to maintain and correct your posture through chiropractic adjustments, exercises and recommendations on proper positions during different activities.

http://www.chiroone.net/how-chiropractic-helps/posture

Chiropractic benefits during pregnancy

6/30/2016

Even if you’ve never seen a chiropractor before, pregnancy may be a good time to start.

Here’s why:

Chiropractic benefits during pregnancy Many women seek chiropractic care to relieve neck or back pain that can result from weight gain and altered biomechanics during pregnancy. But even if you’re not in pain, you can benefit from visiting a chiropractor. Chiropractic care during pregnancy maintains, and can even improve, balance and alignment in your spine and pelvis. This can help your baby assume her optimal birthing position and reduce the risk of having a breech baby. Regular chiropractic care can also provide a more comfortable pregnancy and delivery for both mother and baby. It stimulates the nervous system to enable proper functioning of your reproductive organs, thus supporting the needs of your baby throughout pregnancy and during delivery.

http://www.justthefactsbaby.com/pregnancy/article/chiropractic-benefits-during-pregnancy-136

Can A Chiropractor Help With A Sprained Ankle?

6/1/2016

Ankle sprains are not only physically painful; they can also be financially painful. Additionally, if a person with an ankle injury does not receive the proper type of care they may lose mobility in the joint, which will accelerate the development of arthritis later in life. Another serious concern when it comes to a sprained ankle is the chance that the injury will occur again.

There are several popular care methods for a sprained ankle such as heat, cold and of course professional care. However, have you ever considered seeking chiropractic care for a sprained ankle? While most people associate this type of care with the spine, chiropractors are able to treat a vast amount of other parts of the body as well, including the ankle.

A sprained ankle typically occurs when a joint capsule or ligament becomes strained beyond the typically range of motion. There may be a tear in the ligament in the case of a severe sprain. When you seek chiropractic care for a sprained ankle, the first thing that will be done is a complete evaluation of the ankle. This is to ensure that no tears or fractures are present that would require other types of professional care.

In the past it was assumed that a person with a sprained ankle should wait for the swelling to go down prior to seeking any type of mobility treatment. However, the fact is that performing some type of exercise for the range of motion of the joint without any type of resistance or weight can be beneficial and lead to a shorter period of down time.

Some chiropractors can perform special techniques on the ankle to help promote healing and increase the ankle’s range of motion.

The acute stage of a sprained ankle, which is when the area is still swollen, is the best time to begin the rehabilitation process. A chiropractor will be able to increase the effectiveness by adding resistance or weight with each subsequent visit. Another type of treatment that may be used by a chiropractor for the treatment of a sprained ankle is the balancing on stability disks or BOSU balls. This is because these tools incorporate weight bearing exercises with range of motion exercises.

Seeking chiropractic treatment for a sprained ankle canalso reduce the chance of other problems emerging from the injury, such as back pain or a weak ankle joint. Since a sprained ankle usually requires one to use crutches, that can take a toll on your posture and lower back. So there are many benefits to seeing a chiropractor as part of your recovery process.

Remember to always consult your chiropractor or physician before taking any health advice.

http://chiropractorloveland-thejoint.com/blog/can-a-chiropractor-help-with-a-sprained-ankle/