Conditions

conditions-graphic.jpgHeadaches

conditions-a.jpg What Causes Headaches? Headaches often begin in your spine. Poor posture or injury can force your spinal vertebrae out of alignment, pressuring nerves and blood vessels. When nerves send painful signals to surrounding neck muscles, those muscles tighten up and a headache may begin. Other headache triggers include stress, caffeine, smoking, allergies, alcohol, some diseases, and nutritional deficiencies.

Can Chiropractic Care Help Me? Your chiropractor looks at your overall health-focusing not only on your spine, but also on your lifestyle. This integrated approach helps determine the best treatment for your headaches.

History. To help identify the cause of your problem, you and your chiropractor will discuss your symptoms, your family health history, and your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activities.

Physical Exam. Physical, orthopedic, and neurological tests can help reveal the condition of your spine. Static and motion palpation tests check for factors related to headaches, such as stiffness, pain, swelling, and restricted range of motion.

X-rays. As "blueprints" of your neck and back, x-rays can pinpoint misaligned bones or reveal other problems such as fractures or arthritis. Additional tests will be done, if necessary.

Diagnosis. Based on the examination and findings, your chiropractor may recommend an individualized treatment program for your neck or spine to help reduce the frequency and intensity of your headaches. If needed, your chiropractor will also consult with other medical specialists about your condition.


How Does a Chiropractor Treat Headaches?

Your doctor of chiropractic is uniquely qualified to restore the health of your spine, which may relieve the pressure that is causing your headaches.

Spinal Adjustments. After locating the misaligned vertebrae in your neck or spine, your chiropractor manually applies gentle pressure and repositions the vertebrae. These adjustments can help ease your headaches by restoring alignment, improving mobility, and relieving pain and stiffness.

Related Treatment. Your chiropractor may recommend other types of treatment to relieve headaches by decreasing muscle tension and swelling, or increasing your circulation. These treatments may include moist heat, ice packs, trigger point therapy, or traction. Your chiropractor can discuss these with you.


What Can I Do To Prevent Headaches?

Smart Support. Whether sitting, standing, or lying down, keep your spine aligned. Talk with your chiropractor about simple exercises you can do to strengthen your neck. You may also be able to prevent some headaches by avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes. Control your stress by making time to relax each day.

Spinal Checkups. Just as you need regular dental exams, you also need regular spinal exams. Chiropractic care is one of the best ways to help prevent spinal problems that could cause headaches. Your doctor of chiropractic can help you and your family maintain healthier lives with less headache pain.


Neck Pain

conditions-b.jpg What Causes Neck Pain? Your neck protects your spinal cord and spinal nerves, while supporting and balancing the weight of your head. Poor posture, wear and tear, injury, stress, and tension can strain or damage vital parts of your neck.

A Healthy Neck. Your neck (cervical spine) is aligned in a natural curve at the top of your spine. Damage to your neck's natural curve can cause painful problems.

Can Chiropractic Care Help Me? Your doctor of chiropractic looks at your overall health- focusing not only on your neck, but also on your lifestyle. This integrated approach helps determine the best treatment for your neck pain.

History. To help identify the cause of your problem, you and your chiropractor will discuss your symptoms and previous injuries, your family health history, and your lifestyle, including recreational and work-related physical activities.

Physical Exam. Physical, orthopedic, and neurological tests can help reveal the condition of your neck and the rest of your spine. Static and motion palpation tests check for stiffness, pain, muscle spasm, and restricted range of motion.

X-rays. As "blueprints" of your spine, x-rays can reveal misaligned vertebrae, arthritis, fractures, or other problems. Additional tests will be done, if necessary.

Diagnosis. Based on the examination and findings, your doctor of chiropractic may recommend an individualized treatment program to realign your neck and reduce your pain. If needed, your chiropractor will also consult with other medical specialists about your condition.


How Does a Chiropractor Treat Neck Pain?

Your doctor of chiropractic is uniquely qualified to restore the health of your spine and neck. Special chiropractic techniques may relieve the pressure that is causing your neck pain.

Spinal Adjustments. After locating the misaligned vertebrae in your neck, your chiropractor manually applies gentle pressure and repositions the vertebrae. These adjustments can help restore alignment, improve mobility, and relieve pain and stiffness.

Related Treatment. Your chiropractor may recommend other types of treatment for relieving your neck pain. These may include moist heat, ice packs, massage, traction, or stretching and strengthening exercises. Your chiropractor can discuss these with you.


What Can I Do To Keep My Neck In Shape?

Smart Support. Whether sleeping, sitting, standing, or driving, keep your neck healthy by remembering good posture - keeping a straight and well-supported spine. Your chiropractor can tell you about simple exercises for increasing the strength and flexibility of your neck.

Spinal Checkups. Just as you need regular dental exams, you also need regular spinal exams. Even if you don't have symptoms, chiropractic care is one of the best ways to help prevent spinal problems. Your doctor of chiropractic can help you and your family maintain healthier lives free of neck pain.


Low Back Pain

conditions-c.jpg What Causes Low Back Pain? Your low back is a vulnerable area, constantly under the strain of supporting your upper body. Poor posture, injuries, wear and tear, hereditary weakness, or excess weight can cause a variety of painful low back problems. Your low back is one of the three natural curves of your spine. If that area lacks strength or flexibility, your entire back loses support. This can put pressure on joints, nerves, and discs.

Can Chiropractic Care Help Me? Your doctor of chiropractic looks at your overall health-focusing not only on your discs but also on your lifestyle. This integrated approach helps determine the best treatment for your problem.

History. To help identify the cause of your problem, you and your chiropractor will discuss your symptoms and previous injuries, your family's health history, and your lifestyle, including recreational and work related physical activities.

Physical Exam. Physical, orthopedic, and neurological can reveal the condition of your spine. Static and motion palpation tests check for tenderness, muscle spasms, and your backs range of motion. This gives your chiropractor clues to the cause and extent of your low back problem.

X-rays. As "blueprints" of your spine, x-rays scan reveal misalignments, fractures, arthritis, hereditary malformations, or other problems. Additional tests will be done, if necessary.

Diagnosis. Based on the examination and findings, your doctor of chiropractic may recommend an individualized treatment program to realign your low back, relieve muscle spasms, restore motion, and reduce pain. If needed, your chiropractor will also consult with other medical specialists about your condition.


How Does a Chiropractor Treat Low Back Pain?

Your doctor of chiropractic is uniquely qualified to restore the health of your spine. Special chiropractic techniques may relieve the pressure that is causing your low back pain.

Spinal Adjustments. After locating the misaligned vertebrae in your back, your chiropractor manually applies gentle pressure and repositions the vertebrae. These adjustments can help restore alignment, improving mobility, and relieve pain and stiffness.

Related Treatment. Your chiropractor may recommend other types of treatment for strengthening your low back muscles and relieving tension and pain. Those treatments may include moist heat, ice packs, traction, or stretching and strengthening exercises. Your chiropractor can discuss these with you.


What Can I Do To Keep My Back In Shape?

Smart Support. Boost your back health and your overall health by using good posture, staying active, eating right, and taking time to relax. Talk with your chiropractor about exercises for strengthening your back. And when you lift or move, keep your back in mind.

When lifting, bend your knees and keep your back straight. Hold the load against your body. Lift up with your leg muscles rather than your back muscles. Don't twist to the side when you lift.

Spinal Checkups. Just as you need regular dental exams, you also need regular spinal exams. Chiropractic care is one of the best ways to help prevent spinal problems that could cause headaches. Your doctor of chiropractic can help you and your family maintain healthier lives with less headache pain.

Wellness Care. Wellness care is an option chosen by many of our patients. Once they "get well" the want to "stay well" and choose to do so by coming in for periodic adjustments even though they are not in any pain. How often should you be adjusted to stay well? That is determined on an individual basis and it will be a joint decision made by you and your doctor depending on your particular condition.