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COMMON CONDITIONS WE SEE IN PRACTICE
LOW BACK PAIN
Low back pain is an extremely common condition that we as Chiropractors come across every day. There are multiple reasons why a person can suffer from low back pain and the cause is usually different for each individual patient. There are many possibilities including a lumbar or sacro-iliac joint dysfunction, soft tissue damage, muscle spasm, a disc injury, degenerative joint disease, stress fractures, nerve impingement, etc. This is just to name a few common causes of lower back pain.
NECK PAIN
The most common cause of neck pain that we come across is known as cervical facet dysfunction. The joints of the neck (cervical spine) may lose movement and “lock up” depending on a variety of issues. Various causes for joint dysfunction in the neck may include work related micro-trauma, posture, past injuries, whiplash, stress or even exercise, etc. This can result in surrounding muscle spasm creating increased amounts of stiffness within the neck region.
HEADACHES
There are 220 different types of headaches within 3 main categories; Primary Headaches (Migraines, Tension headaches, Cluster Headache), Secondary Headaches (a symptom of a disease that can activate pain) and Cranial Neuralgias, central & primary facial pain and other headaches. This means that every patient suffering from a headache condition will require an individualized assessment and care plan.
SCOLIOSIS
Scoliosis is known as a horizontal curvature of the spinal column. Scoliosis usually presents with two curves; a primary curve and a secondary curve to compensate and balance out the spinal and pelvic alignment. Scoliosis may be idiopathic in nature, i.e. the individual may be born with a predominance to the condition. It may also arise from various other factors including heavy school bags/one-sided hand-bags, a previous injury that did not heal correctly, emotional trauma or other illnesses.
PREGNANCY
Back pain throughout pregnancy is extremely common and may also arise post-pregnancy as well. When pregnant, the brain releases a hormone called Relaxin which targets the ligaments of the pelvis and allows them to stretch and loosen up in order to accommodate for an expanding uterus during pregnancy. Movement of the pelvis combined with the added stress of the growing womb may together contribute to spinal and/or sacral joint dysfunction, resulting in pain for the pregnant woman.
EXTREMITIES
Chiropractors also provide therapeutic techniques to help restore movement in feet, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists & hands etc. Extremity pain and restricted range of motion may be present in a patient after undergoing trauma i.e. joint sprains & tendonitis. Patients may also suffer with joint swelling from systemic causes including arthritis etc.