Spine Health & Spinal Hygiene

Chiropractic treatment is dedicated to finding and correcting spinal misalignments. Many seek chiropractic care to alleviate pain and other health-related symptoms. One condition that is sought out constantly, is relief from lower back pain.

31 million Americans experience low back pain at any given time. This condition affects many, but finding the exact cause can be a challenge. Chiropractors are spinal specialists that are trained to not only alleviate pain but also find and help correct the cause of the problem.

Prevention Is The Best Defense

Prevention is the best cure for any condition/ailment. When a someone sees a chiropractor, they not only find relief for their condition, but they learn ways to prevent they symptoms in the future. Using proper exercise and ergonomics, they can ease the discomfort before it starts. Great results are gained by individuals that listen to instructions.

Treatment Options

Treatment options are plentiful. Based on the diagnosis they will suggest the ones that will benefit you the most. These treatments may include one or more of the following:

• Spinal adjustments delivered either by hand or instrument like an Activator
• Hot or cold compresses
• Physical therapy modalities like Interferential Therapy or TENS
• Massage Therapy or some other form of soft tissue work
• Spinal decompression therapy

Relief

Prescription medication could still be required to help reduce levels. The good news is that the meds can be decreased quicker than usual, as the spine misalignments are corrected, nerve compression is alleviated and the inflammation is reduced. This alone is well worth the investment of time and money to see a chiropractor. 

Exercise & Physical Rehabilitation

As the treatment progresses from pain relief to rehabilitation, a chiropractor will recommend exercises to help strengthen the core muscles. These muscles help stabilize and protect the lower back. These exercises are performed at the office or specialized fitness center with certified physical therapists/trainers to make sure you understand how to do them without re-aggravating the original condition. Once educated on the purpose and how to perform them correctly, you’ll be able to continue at home in conjunction with spinal adjustments during maintenance care.

Surgery Options 

Depending on the condition, surgery can be avoided if chiropractic treatment is implemented before injury/s or pain worsen. A chiropractor can help avoid surgery by correcting the problem.

Make sure you follow the recommendations after a consultation and examination are performed. The examination may require X-rays or MRIs.

A chiropractor is the ideal medical professional to consult with for any unexplained pain in the musculoskeletal system. They are highly qualified professionals that their specialty is treating conditions like lower back pain and they are very affordable. If you or a loved one have pain in the lower back, gives us a call. We’re here to help!

Injury Medical Clinic: Back Pain Treatment

IS YOUR JOB KILLING YOUR BACK?

Whether it’s just a gig to pay the bills or your dream career, work life, including taking care of family, can play a big role in your overall health. And, sometimes, not in a good way.

In summer 2016, the North American Spine Society (NASS) asked its members to rank the professions they consider most “back-breaking.” Click through to see what spine specialists say are the top-10 biggest offenders, and get tips for how you can keep working and save your spine.

#10 MOTHERHOOD AND BABY CARE

From pregnancy and breastfeeding to lifting a child all day and hauling a heavy diaper bag, motherhood can take a toll on the health of your spine.

Spine-saving tips: Rethink your diaper bag. Consider a backpack-style diaper bag as opposed to the more traditional over-the-shoulder version to better distribute weight. Also, investing in an ergonomic baby carrier will ease the load when carrying your child.

#9TH FACTORY WORK

Factory workers often perform tasks that require them to do the same movements for prolonged periods, causing muscle fatigue and weakness. Disorders related to performing the same function over and over again is called repetitive motion disorders.

Spine-saving tips: Occasionally take a break to evaluate your posture. Straighten your spine and relax your shoulders. If you can vary your tasks, do so. It will allow you the ability to use different muscles instead of fatiguing the same ones over the course of a work day.

#8 AUTO MECHANIC

Working on cars requires a lot of bending, twisting, and arching of the back. These movements put the spine in awkward positions, which can cause pain and injury.

Spine-saving tip: Whether under the car’s hood or the car itself, get as close to the part or area you’re working on to prevent injuring your back muscles.

#7 WAREHOUSE WORK

Warehouse workers have physically demanding jobs, often spending a great portion of their day lifting, pushing and pulling heavy loads that risk injuring their spines.

Spine-saving tips: Think before you act. Before lifting a load, test the weight by lifting one corner. If the object is too heavy, ask for a coworker’s help or use a cart or forklift. Also, wear gloves to improve your grip and protect your hands.

#6 DENTISTS

Dentists perform procedures that keep them in the same position for long periods, while also twisting and bending their necks and upper backs. That’s why many in the profession experience upper back pain and neck pain.

Spine-saving tips: Magnification and good lighting will bring your field of vision closer and allow your neck to rest in a natural position, as opposed to being held forward and flexed down. If chair arms are available at your office, use them to support your upper arm or forearm when doing precision procedures with your hands.

#5 MANUAL LABORERS

Manual labor. Just the name of this career elicits thoughts of back strain, sprain, and overall pain. Manual laborers regularly lift heavy loads, use hand and power tools, perform repetitive tasks, and bend and twist—all of which spell disaster for the back and neck.

Spine-saving tips: Your job equipment goes beyond the heavy machinery you use at work. Wear a good pair of supportive shoes, and talk to your doctor about whether a back brace will help prevent potential back problems on the job.

#4 OFFICE WORKERS

Sure, office workers generally don’t spend their days lifting large objects or operating heavy machinery, but the opposite end of the spectrum may be just as detrimental to your spine. Sitting and staring at a computer screen all day may wreak havoc on your posture and can leave you grimacing in pain at the end of each work day.

Spine-saving tips: Get up out of your chair every hour to walk around and stretch. Or, perhaps invest in a sit-stand desk to encourage you to vary your posture and position throughout the day.

#3 NURSES

Nurses are on their feet during most of their shifts, and stress levels can be high in this profession. Transferring patients, moving heavy medical equipment, and bending to assist with procedures can all contribute to the development of back and/or neck injury.

Spine-saving tips: During breaks, take a few minutes to do some gentle spine stretches like shoulder rolls, neck bends, and hamstring stretches. If your day is particularly hectic, even a few minutes of quiet meditation may help stave off the negative effects of stress.

#2 IS CONSTRUCTION WORK

Construction work can put some serious wear and tear on the body. The job involves heavy lifting, whole body vibration, lifting and twisting at the same time, and bending for prolonged periods—all of which can cause muscle sprain and strain.

Spine-saving tips: Asking for help could save your spine if you work in the construction field. If materials are heavier than 50 pounds, get help from another worker and/or use a cart. Also, use carrying tools with handles to secure a grip on odd-shaped loads.

#1 DRIVERS

Spine specialists consider the driving profession to be the most harmful career for your back and neck. And, they’re not just concerned about long-haul truck drivers.

“With the rise of ridehailing services like Uber and Lyft, tens of thousands of ‘amateur’ drivers each month are suddenly becoming professionals, sitting in their cars for extra hours, toting luggage, and feeling the pain,” said orthopaedic surgeon Chad Patton, MD, chair of the NASS Public Affairs Committee.

Spine-saving tips: Before you hit the gas, create a supportive driving environment. Adjust your seat to a 100-degree angle to prevent slouching, and sit close enough to the steering wheel so your elbows and knees are slightly bent. Add a pillow or rolled up towel at the small of your back for some added support.

WANT MORE BACK- AND NECK-SAVING TIPS?

SpineUniverse has a wealth of information on workplace spine safety. Even if you don’t work in the professions listed in this slideshow, it’s still smart to understand the best ergonomic practices for back and neck health.

Back pain is just one of the very typical reasons people self-address and seek medical care. It will impact about three in four adults throughout their lifetime. About “back pain” when we speak we mean pain that originates in the backbone anywhere between the upper and lower back.

There are lots of various kinds of pain. Acute back pain is described as acute but lasting a brief period of time. Chronic back pain usually occurs every day. It could be severe, but may be characterized as mild, heavy, achy, burning, or electric-like. Back pain that travels into a different portion of the body, including the leg may be consider radicular pain, especially when it radiates below the knee. This scenario is often called a lumbar. Fortunately, not all incidences of back pain include leg pain!

It isn’t uncommon for back pain to be accompanied by other symptoms, like numbness and tingling senses, stiffness, achiness, and weakness. Back pain may raise or aggravate. Twisting at the waist, walking, standing, bending over, and sitting are some of the motions that may make back pain worse. Of course, that’s not true for each patient. Instead, it depends on what level of the back is changed and the analysis, or cause.

BACK PAIN DOCTOR – SPEAK

If you see a doctor for back pain, he (or she) may use terms such as thoracic, lumbar, lumbosacral, or sacrum. The purpose is, back pain is a big subject covering many distinct regions (or amounts) of the backbone.

• Lumbar refers to your low back.
• Lumbosacral is the low back, sacrum, and maybe the tailbone (called the coccyx).
• Sacrum is the section of the spine that is at the back of your pelvis.

Furthermore fibrous and muscle supporting structures, intervertebral discs, spinal cord and nerve roots, and blood vessels. A straightforward injury, such as a back sprain/strain from lifting and twisting simultaneously, can cause severe and immediate pain that’s usually self-limiting.

Of course, not all prevalence of back pain are injury or trauma -associated. Many back problems are congenital (discovered at birth), degenerative, age-associated, disease-related, and may be linked to poor posture, obesity or an unhealthy lifestyle including smoking. Occasionally the back pain is worse than the seriousness of the harm or illness.

• You cannot stand upright.
• Pain is accompanied by fever.
• Loss of bowel or bladder function or control
• Weakness leg pain and/or progressively worsens.
• Pain is worsens or persistent.

Many patients with back pain have reported feeling concerned and scared, which is regular. Most individuals who experience upper, low or lower back pain— even down into both legs or one — know when it’s time to seek medical care.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR PHYSICIAN

Whether you back pain falls into the “seek pressing medical care” list above, or you’re following your gut reaction that says, “Go see your doctor,” below is what you are able to expect.

A review of your medical history, including immediate family members who have back problems. Some back problems (eg, scoliosis, osteoporosis) have a genetic possibility.
Your physician wants to learn as much about symptoms and your pain before he examines you—while the exam may induce pain, your physician doesn’t wish to make the process intolerable!

Physical examination evaluates your vital signs (eg, heart rate). It really is not unusual for your blood pressure to be elevated as an effect of pain. The doctor examines your spine, feeling for abnormalities and regions of tenderness.

Neurological examination involves evaluating function and sensation. The physician may apply the pin prick test to determine if feeling is the same on either side of special portions of the body (eg, legs). Function, flexibility and range of motion are evaluated while you walk, bend forward and backwards (if able to), and during other movements. The physician tests your reflexes also.

After an exhaustive review, your doctor probably has come to a couple of conclusions as to what is causing your back pain and other symptoms. To obtain more information about your back problem, and to assist confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may order an x ray, CT scan, or MRI. Occasionally lab tests are purchased also. Bear in mind that an exact diagnosis is vital to a well-developed treatment plan.

Perhaps you bent the wrong way while lifting something heavy. Or you’re dealing with a degenerative condition like arthritis. Whatever the cause, once you have low back pain, it can be hard to shake. About one in four Americans say they’ve had a recent bout of low back pain. And almost everyone can expect to experience back pain at some point in their lives.

Sometimes, it’s clearly serious: You were injured, or you feel numbness, weakness, or tingling in the legs. Call the doctor, of course. But for routine and mild low back pain, here are a few simple tips to try at home.

CHILL IT 

Ice is best in the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury because it reduces inflammation, says E. Anne Reicherter, PhD, PT, DPT, associate professor of Physical Therapy at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “Even though the warmth feels good because it helps cover up the pain and it does help relax the muscles, the heat actually inflames the inflammatory processes,” she says. After 48 hours, you can switch to heat if you prefer. Whether you use heat or ice — take it off after about 20 minutes to give your skin a rest. If pain persists, talk with a doctor.

KEEP MOVING

“Our spines are like the rest of our body — they’re meant to move,” says Reicherter. Keep doing your daily activities. Make the beds, go to work, walk the dog. Once you’re feeling better, regular aerobic exercises like swimming, bicycling, and walking can keep you — and your back — more mobile. Just don’t overdo it. There’s no need to run a marathon when your back is sore.

STAY STRONG

Once your low back pain has receded, you can help avert future episodes of back pain by working the muscles that support your lower back, including the back extensor muscles. “They help you maintain the proper posture and alignment of your spine,” Reicherter says. Having strong hip, pelvic, and abdominal muscles also gives you more back support. Avoid abdominal crunches, because they can actually put more strain on your back.

STRETCH

Don’t sit slumped in your desk chair all day. Get up every 20 minutes or so and stretch the other way. “Because most of us spend a lot of time bending forward in our jobs, it’s important to stand up and stretch backward throughout the day,” Reicherter says. Don’t forget to also stretch your legs. Some people find relief from their back pain by doing a regular stretching routine, like yoga.

THINK ERGONOMICALLY

Design your workspace so you don’t have to hunch forward to see your computer monitor or reach way out for your mouse. Use a desk chair that supports your lower back and allows you to keep your feet planted firmly on the floor.

WATCH YOUR POSTURE

Slumping makes it harder for your back to support your weight. Be especially careful of your posture when lifting heavy objects. Never bend over from the waist. Instead, bend and straighten from the knees.

WEAR LOW HEELS

Exchange your four-inch pumps for flats or low heels (less than 1 inch). High heels may create a more unstable posture, and increase pressure on your lower spine.

KICK THE HABIT

Smoking can increase your risk for osteoporosis of the spine and other bone problems. Osteoporosis can in turn lead to compression fractures of the spine. Recent research found that smokers are more likely to have low back pain compared with nonsmokers.

WATCH YOUR WEIGHT

Use diet and exercise to keep your weight within a healthy range for your height. Being overweight puts excess stress on your spine.

TRY OVER-THE-COUNTER PAIN RELIEVERS

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin), and naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn) can help reduce back pain. Acetaminophen (Actamin, Panadol, Tylenol) is another over-the-counter option for pain management. Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist about any interactions over-the-counter pain relievers may have with other medications you are taking. People with a history of certain medical conditions (such as ulcers, kidney disease, and liver disease) should avoid some medicines.

Call your doctor if:

Your low back pain is severe, doesn’t go away after a few days, or it hurts even when you’re at rest or lying down.
You have weakness or numbness in your legs, or you have trouble standing or walking.
You lose control over your bowels or bladder.
These could be signs that you have a nerve problem or another underlying medical condition that needs to be treated.


ARE FUNCTIONAL ORTHOTICS PART OF YOUR WELLNESS PROTOCOL?

Most Chiropractors advertise pain relief without drugs and care for injuries. Recently, some doctors and practices have begun labeling and promoting themselves as Wellness Centers. A wellness practice is focused on both maintaining a pre-existing level of musculoskeletal balance and postural health and preventing conditions that might alter this state of health. The challenge is, how can healthy patients be protected from problems that might arise in the future? The answer is simple: custom-made orthotics. Custom orthotics may be traditionally seen as a preventative measure, but so are most treatments of old. They are the perfect, foundational support your patients will never want to go without.

Wellness is a great concept—one of those “win-win” situations for doctor and patient. Orthotics are the perfect way to implement this concept and help establish a “preventative” approach, in addition to the traditional reactive ones, if need be. Let’s take at a look at the foundation of the body, and see just how useful they can be.

LOOK TO THE FEET

The feet are the foundation of the body. By age 40, nearly everyone has a foot condition of some sort, many of which eventually contributing to health concerns farther up the Kinetic Chain (Figure 1). Therefore, it’s in the best interest of healthy patients to be offered a wellness program which stresses preventative care for normal, healthy feet, in order to prevent foot problems from occurring later in life.

While 99% of all feet are normal at birth, 8% develop troubles by the first year of age, 41% at age 5, and 80% by age 20. By age 40, nearly everyone has a foot condition of some sort.

HOW CAN ORTHOTICS HELP?

Patients who participate in Chiropractic wellness programs can benefit from custom-made orthotics nearly as much as patients who seek Chiropractic care for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Foot Levelers’ custom orthotics have been shown to effectively support the pedal foundation for both categories of patients, and can prevent problems well into the future with static and dynamic support.

Static support.Static support. A 1999 study using radiographic measurements found that custom-made, flexible orthotics can significantly improve the alignment of the arches when standing.2 In the wellness-practice concept of orthotic use, custom-made, flexible orthotics can be used to maintain a properly functioning arch alignment.

Dynamic support. During gait, the foot undergoes substantial changes and must permit a smooth transfer of the body’s center of mass over the leg in order to conserve energy and keep the work expenditure to a minimum.3 This requires a flexible, yet supportive orthotic that accommodates varying weights and forces and allows proper movement and function of the foot, while supporting all three arches—in order to prevent eventual arch collapse.

Postural benefits. Since the entire body structure is balanced on one foot at a time when walking and running, improving foot alignment can help maintain knee, hip, pelvic and even spinal postural alignment,4 and prevent joint degeneration (of the hip, knee, or spinal joints). A pelvic or spinal tilt or recurrent subluxations will often respond rapidly to orthotic support of the arches in the feet. 

ORTHOTICS FOR EVERYONE

Custom-made, flexible orthotics have long been recognized as a valid adjunct to Chiropractic care for many musculoskeletal conditions. In the wellness model of Chiropractic care, Foot Levelers’ custom-made, flexible orthotics (Fig. 2) can be utilized as a preventative modality for the preservation of optimal arch support and the postponement or prevention of joint imbalances in later years. Therefore, orthotics are appropriate for virtually all Chiropractic patients.