Blog
As a Chiropractor here in Charlotte NC I see all types of conditions and problems. One of them is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome characterized as pain and or numbness in the hands and fingers. The condition is best described as pressure to the median nerve. The median nerve runs from the spinal cord in the neck area down to the fingers of both hands. Pressure from this nerve can stem from the wrist, the neck, or a combination of both. Wrist pressure on this nerve comes from a tightening of the forearm muscles causing inflammation to the tendons that enter the hand through the carpal tunnel thus compressing the nerve. When the pressure comes from a pinched nerve in your neck it is usually because of a vertebrae that is not positioned or not moving properly. When the median nerve becomes compressed, it causes the person to feel any variation of numbness, tingling, weakness, and/or pain.
80% of the American population will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. For the majority of these people, the pain will become chronic, meaning it will be long-term pain that will affect their activities of daily living and despite multiple attempts with multiple doctors, the pain will persist.
Most of us spend most of our time sitting, sleeping, a combination of the two, or both simultaneously. Most of us do these two activities incorrectly. When it comes to sitting, one needs to be mindful of proper posture. Ever think of how hours, days, months, years, and decades of poor sitting may affect your muscular-skeletal system?
Vitamin D is one of the most interesting vitamins in this world. It is essential for the human body to function properly but at the same time, it is only found in salmon, mackerel, tuna, and foods that are “fortified” like dairy products or juices. So if vitamin D is not found regularly in the foods we eat, how do we acquire it?
It is estimated that approximately 10% of the population will suffer from heel pain at some point in their lives. Most often the pain comes from an irritation of the soft tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel to the bottom side of the toes called the plantar fascia. The fascia can become irritated from any number of things from standing, running, poor shoes, obesity, too large arches, or too small arches. When the fascia becomes irritated it is called plantar fasciitis, Plantar fasciopathy, or Joggers heel. In most cases, this condition is treatable with non-surgical means. Chiropractors often treat this condition with a combination of stretches, ice, exercises, bracing, orthotic shoe inserts, ultrasound, and orders to rest. In more severe cases injections or even surgery may be necessary.
Sometimes after the first couple of adjustments, a patient may experience increased soreness. I liken it to starting a new workout program when someone is out of shape, initially, it causes a whole lot of soreness, pain, and discomfort. Does this discomfort mean that the workout is bad for you? No. In fact it is very much the opposite. I tell all of my patients that this is part of the initial change process, it is very common, and it will pass. In the meantime, I recommend ice for twenty minutes on and forty minutes off. Ice is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, it pushes out inflammation and numbs the area providing pain relief. Ice is typically necessary between one and five days after a car accident and after the first couple of adjustments.
When most people think of or hear the word whiplash they immediately think of injury associated with a car accident. According to Merriam-Webster, it is:
An injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck in the rear by another vehicle)
While the definition is simplistic in and of itself, it does not explain what happens as a result of the whiplash injury.
Many people get into car accidents, become sore, and simply tough it out instead of going to the doctor, especially men. I usually only see men in the office when they either can’t do, or can’t enjoy the things important to them like work, golf, or sex. Often the pain and soreness from the accident subsides so the person thinks they have healed.
One of the most common problems I see in the office is upper cross syndrome due to auto accidents or work postures. Upper cross syndrome, sometimes referred to as forward head carriage, occurs when muscles become imbalanced as a result of car accidents or jobs that require the person to constantly have their arms out in from of them. Some of these jobs include mechanics, hairdressers, cooks, dishwashers, students, and anybody spending significant time in front of a computer. The neck muscles in the back of the neck contract (shorten) and the neck muscles in the front of the neck lengthen and become weak. The chest muscles contract and the muscles in between the shoulder blades lengthen and become weak. Upper Cross Syndrome causes imbalance, and pain, often resulting in future Arthritis.