Blog Posts - Dr. Seyoung Kim Chiropractic

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/

Treating TMJ/TMD

5/1/2016

If you place your hands on your face, right in front of your ear lobes and open and close your mouth, you can feel your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects your upper and lower jaw.
Many Americans experience some sort of temporomandibular-related pain or even a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). In fact, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) estimates that 10 million Americans have a TMD. Additionally, around 75 percent of the U.S. population may experience one or more symptoms of a TMD. Discover why chiropractic is a viable treatment option for this common condition.

Top experts, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NIDCR, recommend conservative, reversible treatments as the best route of action. Our doctors agree and recommend choosing non-invasive treatments first, rather than aggressive treatments, like surgery and implants, which penetrate the tissues of the face, jaw or joint.

Chiropractic treatments may alleviate some of the symptoms of TMD through manipulation of the jaw and muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joint, potentially relieving tension and pain.

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

Acupuncture for Back Pain

4/1/2016

Acupuncture began in China more than 2,500 years ago. It involves inserting thin needles at certain points on the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the body has more than 2,000 of these points. They are connected by pathways or meridians, which create a flow of energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”). Stimulating these points is said to correct the imbalance of qi and improve the flow of energy. Practitioners believe that this helps relieve pain and improve health.
It's thought the effects come from stimulating the central nervous system. This may trigger the release of chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals either alter the experience of pain or produce bodily changes that promote a sense of well-being.
Other theories suggest acupuncture works by:

Speeding the relay of electromagnetic signals. This may begin the flow of pain-killing chemicals such as endorphins. Or it may release immune system cells in the body.
Triggering the release of natural opioids. These are chemicals in thebrain that may lessen pain or promote sleep.
Changing brain chemistry by altering the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones. Neurotransmitters either stimulate or dampen nerve impulses. Neurohormones can affect the function or activity of an organ in the body.

http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/back-pain-and-acupuncture

Chiropractic for Tennis Elbow

3/1/2016

Tennis elbow is the common name given to pain originating on the outside or lateral side of the elbow. This condition arises from an irritation or inflammation of the tendons of one or several forearm muscles at their attachment to the bony protuberance close to the elbow joint, known as the lateral epicondyle. Therefore the medical term for this condition is lateral epicondylitis, meaning an inflammation of the epicondyle. If the condition is located on the inside or medial side of the elbow it is often referred as Golfer's Elbow or medial epicondylitis. However, this is not as prevalent as lateral epicondylitis.

Causes

There are many causes for Epicondylitis - not just tennis & golf - as any activity that involves repetitive gripping of objects can result in this affliction. Some individuals develop tennis or golfer's elbow from prolonged carrying of heavy bags, knitting, chopping food, and/or computer work using improper wrist and arm posture. With sports, the problem arises when we are new to the game, use an improper technique, try out new racquets or clubs, or increase the intensity or duration of exercise without the proper preparation.

Sometimes the condition can be so severe that it is difficult to even grip and lift one's coffee cup!

Treatment

Epicondylitis is a condition that rarely resolves on its own accord and may require treatment. A qualified healthcare professional such as a chiropractor can determine the exact cause of the problem and initiate the proper care and treatment. This might include modalities such as ultrasound, electrotherapy, massage, hot and cold treatments, bracing and home stretching and exercises. Chiropractic adjustments have proven extremely effective in the overall management of this problem

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

Acupuncture Treatment for Cancer Patients

2/1/2016

What is acupuncture?Acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese medicine in which fine, sterile needles are applied to specific areas of the body, or acupoints, to stimulate energy flow (known as “chi”). The needles are usually left in place for a few minutes, which causes virtually no pain when done by a skilled acupuncturist.
During a treatment, energy is believed to circulate throughout the body along specific pathways called meridians. When energy is flowing freely through the meridians, it stimulates the immune system, which is thought to promote healing and balance. In contrast, pain or illness may occur when the flow of energy is disturbed or off balance. A goal of acupuncture is to restore balance and healthy energy flow through the body to control pain and other symptoms.
While it’s not fully understood how acupuncture works, research suggests that the therapy can benefit cancer patients. It’s been shown that acupuncture reduces nausea and vomiting after surgery and chemotherapy. In addition, research has shown that it can relieve pain, possibly by triggering the body’s pain-killing chemicals and by inducing the release of chemicals that regulate blood pressure and flow.

http://www.cancercenter.com/treatments/acupuncture/?source=MSNPPC&channel=paid+search&c=paid+search%3ABing%3ANon+Brand%3APhrase%3ANon+Brand%3ETreatments%3APhrase&k_clickid=7f419747-dcf6-d749-aa0d-00001b8ac3da

Frozen Shoulder Syndrome - Can Chiropractic Help?

1/1/2016

Although most people think chiropractic is just a treatment for sore backs, your chiropractor wants you to know that chiropractic can help a myriad of different conditions!
In one such instance, a 53-year old woman reported complete relief from a condition known as frozen shoulder syndrome (FSS) following a course of chiropractic treatments. The adjustments concentrated on manipulating the frozen shoulder joint and the area at the base of the neck. Chiropractic worked where other treatments had failed, including physical therapy and pain killing medications.
FSS is a painful and debilitating condition of the shoulder where the arm movement is extremely limited. The slightest movement can produce a great deal of pain. Frozen shoulder syndrome affects more women then men, and can also mimic conditions such as cervical radiculitis, rotator cuff strain and bursitis or tendonitis. In a genuine case of FSS, you’ll always have inflammation and scar tissue formation of the joint capsule.
The cause of FSS is not clear. Patients usually report having previously injured the involved shoulder at some point.

The Role of Chiropractic for FSS

Since nerves supplying the shoulder joint and surrounding tissues originate in the neck, it is always advisable to have your chiropractor assess your neck for vertebral subluxations if you are suffering from this, or any other painful shoulder condition. Restoring proper movement in the spine can help assist proper nerve function in the shoulder area. This can contribute to your recovery.
Shoulder movement and stabilization requires a great deal of muscular coordination, so joint manipulation alone may have limited success in many cases of FSS. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, exercise and stretching are the most recommended forms of complementary therapies.
In tougher cases where these therapies are ineffective, more aggressive therapy for FSS may consist of surgically removing the capsular adhesions, or using corticosteroid injections. Surgery should be considered as a last resort. It’s more expensive, carries a greater risk of complications, and often requires a long term recovery from the surgery itself.
If you or anyone you know may be suffering from frozen shoulder syndrome, let your chiropractor know. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to be a very effective tool to help resolve this painful condition. Keep in mind that FSS usually takes a long time to heal, but any improvement represents a significant enhancement to the person’s quality of life

http://www.grandechiro.com/frozen-shoulder-syndrome-can-chiropractic-help/

Chiropractic for Treating Headaches

12/1/2015

Most people describe a tension headache as a feeling of a tight band or dull ache around the head or behind the eyes. A common cause of tension headaches is subluxations in the upper back and neck which is effectively treated with chiropractic adjustments.
Headaches affect just about everyone at some point and they can present themselves in many different ways. Some people only experience pain in one part of their head or behind their eyes, some people experience a pounding sensation inside their whole head, and some people even experience nausea, while others do not. The pain itself may be dull or sharp and may last for anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Fortunately, very few headaches have serious underlying causes, but those that do require urgent medical attention.

Numerous research studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments are very effective for treating tension headaches, especially headaches that originate in the neck.
A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that "spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than commonly prescribed medications." These findings support an earlier study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics that found spinal manipulative therapy to be very effective for treating tension headaches. This study also found that those who stopped chiropractic treatment after four weeks continued to experience a sustained benefit in contrast to those patients who received pain medication.
Each individual's case is different and requires a thorough evaluation before a proper course of chiropractic care can be determined. However, in most cases of tension headaches, significant improvement is accomplished through manipulation of the upper two cervical vertebrae, coupled with adjustments to the junction between the cervical and thoracic spine. This is also helpful in most cases of migraine headaches, as long as food and lifestyle triggers are avoided as well.

http://www.tollgatechiropractic.com/conditions/headaches.html

Pinched Nerve

11/1/2015

Chiropractic therapy is extremely helpful in treating pinched nerves in many ways. Pinched nerves usually are caused either a bony impingement, meaning there might be a joint that is pressing on the nerve, or in many cases by a bulging disc, herniated disc, or tight muscles. Chiropractic treatment can relieve pressure off the nerve and offer remarkable relief from pinched nerve pain. A pinched nerve doesn’t only have local pain. One in the neck can radiate down the arm, or another in the low back may radiate into the leg. Chiropractors can help relieve these pains by repositioning the bones, relaxing the muscles, and reducing the pressure on nerves.

http://www.chiropartners.com/Video/Pinched-Nerve

How often should you receive Chiropractic care?

10/1/2015

Many patients decided to regularly visit the chiropractor for routine maintenance, and to treat or prevent a specific problem or injury. Those that make chiropractic care a regular part of their lives probably ask: how often should I visit the doctor?

The simple answer is: you should go when you feel that you need it.

Lots of chiropractors advocate once-weekly sessions, or even 3 to 5 visits over the course of 3 weeks for patients with common problems, such as back and neck pain.

However, other patients who may be suffering from complex issues such as scoliosis, muscular injuries, and digestive problems may want to check with their doctor for a custom treatment plan.

This is because basic problems like minor back and neck pain are treated in as little as a few sessions (but may take longer). Other issues, like complex scoliosis, often take return visits over the course of several years to resolve.

It all comes down to how much benefit you and your doctor see chiropractic work bringing for your unique issues.

If you’re looking into chiropractic care, you already know that a body that is properly aligned is better able to bounce back from injury than a body without proper alignment. That’s why those patients who regularly see a chiropractor often avoid injury, and have quicker recovery times.

To be sure, not everyone will benefit from the same kind of regular chiropractic care. Those with more severe issues, or with multiple problems requiring more extensive treatments, may need more visits to a chiropractor than those whose injuries, pain, or afflictions are less complex.

Physically active patients who sustain more wear and tear on their bodies may also want to modify their treatment schedules to allow for more frequent visits to a chiropractic doctor.

It’s best to set aside time, and talk to your doctor at the outset of your treatment to be sure both he/she and you understand the requirements of your treatment. Most chiropractors are willing to work with patients with tight schedules, specific financial requirements, and other issues and questions.

Consulting a chiropractor is also obviously the right choice when trying determine the different types of chiropractic preventative care that can benefit your specific issues. It may be that acupuncture, traction, or chiropractic-oriented physical therapy is the answer for you. It’s important to understand if these types of treatment will work best in the long term or short term.

Here, it’s important to remember that spinal adjustments performed by a chiropractor can boost your body’s ability to heal itself. That’s why those who advocate for chiropractic treatment point to the fact that while some doctors focus on simply eliminating pain, chiropractors focus on the underlying problems that cause it.

That’s not to say preventative care is a silver bullet for injuries, or that medical problems won’t happen to those who undergo regular chiropractic. However, those who do regularly visit a chiropractor often have a much better reaction to the injury with less time spent in pain, less problematic complications, and a better chance at recovery.

Those who do utilize regular chiropractic care often see great success in the treatment of pain, injury, and severe problems including scoliosis and muscular disorders. Why do they report success? Because the same way a patient visits a family doctor or dentist, many people regularly see a chiropractor. They also make integrate, and plan these visits alongside other medical treatments.

Once specific medical problems are reduced or eliminated, many patients opt to maintain a schedule of periodic checkups of the spine, nerves, and other musculature. Likewise, doctors of chiropractic often recognize that successive treatments may be one the most important steps to reducing and eliminating pain and recurring injuries throughout the life.

In summary, those who choose chiropractic medicine for the treatment of a variety of issues should expect to consult their doctors regarding the appropriate length of treatment. These visits should vary depending on the size and scope of the problem, and are usually flexible in nature. When in doubt, always check with your chiropractor before agreeing to a schedule of treatment, and always remember that the best time to see a chiropractor is when you feel that it’s important to your overall health and well being.

http://www.spinaldynamicschiropractic.com/blog/how-often-should-you-receive-chiropractic-adjustments-from-your-boise-chiropractor/