The risks of anabolic steroids are well-documented and have been well-publicized. They can have toxic effects on the liver and cardiovascular system, they can arrest normal growth (despite the appearance of promoting it), they can cause fertility problems, behavioral and psychiatric problems, and produce possibly permanent masculine characteristics in females and breast enlargement in males....
Read More >>
Chiropractic patients continue to report that they are more satisfied with their low back care than medical low back patients. Consider these recent low back pain findings: Satisfied with care: Chiropractic patients 96% Medical Patients 84% Treatment was helpful: Chiropractic patients 99% Medical Patients 80% Likely to seek care from another provider: Chiropractic patients 14%...
Read More >>
People often talk about the importance of growing old gracefully, but that’s made a lot harder if you’re not also growing old healthily. In fact, if you are healthy, you could grow old disgracefully, and it would be a lot more fun. But seriously, we have an aging population. Today, there are far more older...
Read More >>
Why would a parent not take a child to see a chiropractor? The basic answer might come down to no information or incorrect information. Here are three basic reasons why not: 1. They don’t know about Chiropractic, 2. They don’t know about the potential benefits of Chiropractic or, 3. They think that a Chiropractic adjustment...
Read More >>
Pregnancy exerts a significant toll on the body, and muscle strains are commonly reported. With an average weight gain during pregnancy of 25 to 35 pounds, coupled with the internal shifting caused by a growing baby, it is no surprise that pregnant women may end up in severe discomfort. Figures reveal that around 50% of...
Read More >>
A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that patients who had an availability to Chiropractic care saved a significant amount of money over patients who did not. 700,000 people with Chiropractic coverage in their insurance plan was compared to 1,000,000 people whose insurance coverage was limited to traditional medical treatments. The total...
Read More >>
Your sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in your body, and runs from the lower back, down through the buttock, and all the way into the lower leg, where it controls the muscles in that area. It also provides sensation to the thighs, legs, and the soles of the feet. When the sciatic nerve becomes irritated for some reason and causes pain, this pain is known as sciatica. Sciatica refers to the various symptoms associated with the irritation, and does not give any indication as to the root cause of the irritation.
Much of the low-back and leg pain reported is sciatic pain, and it is most evident in the age bracket of 30 to 50 years old. It is more commonly a result of general wear and tear, rather than an injury.
The most obvious giveaway that you are suffering sciatic pain is when it follows the route of the sciatic nerve, as previously described, and is typically apparent only on one side of the body. However, there are variations in how exactly that pain is felt, including tingling, aching or burning. It depends on where the sciatic nerve is being affected. Some patients may also feel pins-and-needles in the toes or foot, or muscle numbness/weakness in the affected leg or foot
More often than not, sciatica first manifests slowly, then increases in intensity, often being accentuated after sitting or bending, or sudden movements such as sneezing or coughing.
This starts with your doctor of chiropractic taking a complete patient history. Your descriptions of where the pain is, how it is felt, when it began, and which activities cause you most pain, are all important in helping to form a diagnosis. It is also necessary to undergo a physical and neurological examination, with a particular focus on your spine and legs. Your ability to perform certain activities will be monitored to assess your sensory strength, muscle strength, and reflexes, and any pain resulting from these activities.
Diagnostic imaging, such as x-ray, MRI, or CT scan may be ordered by your doctor of chiropractic if it is felt there may be more at play, such as a serious underlying problem. This may happen if there is no improvement in symptoms following 6 to 8 weeks of conservative treatment.
Conservative care, including chiropractic treatment, is a very effective solution for most people suffering sciatic pain. As there is an array of possible causes of sciatica, treatment plans will be individually tailored depending on what your chiropractor finds in your particular case. When we talk about “conservative”, it refers to the absence of surgical procedures or medication. Instead, chiropractic seeks to rectify spinal problems, thus restore spinal movement and reduce the inflammation that’s causing the sciatica. Treatment may include spinal manipulation and adjustments, the application of ice/heat therapy, ultrasound, use of a TENS machine, and rehabilitative exercises.
Whiplash is an injury that is common to automobile accidents, but there are many other ways in which this painful blow to the cervical spine can occur. When it does, studies confirm that Chiropractic can provide significant help and long-term healing results. A whiplash injury occurs when there is an abrupt backward or forward jerking...
Read More >>
Stress that is short-lived can be beneficial in that it serves to focus our attention on important matters. However, when stress becomes ongoing and chronic, it can cause immense problems for the sufferer and may end up in depression. It can adversely affect our performance at work and elsewhere, and it can lead to a...
Read More >>
People who suffer bouts of vertigo will gladly subject themselves to numerous tests and remedies to find the source of the problem. Whether it’s just a few minutes of dizziness, or a full blown attack of whirling and nausea –– the condition is pretty unpleasant. Doctors often scratch their heads while looking into a patient’s...
Read More >>