- Arthritis
- FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic pain in the muscles and soft tissues surrounding joints, fatigue, and tenderness at specific sites in the body. While the cause is unknown, an estimated 3 million people are affected in the United States. Because we offer a conservative, hands-on approach to health care, some patients suffering from fibromyalgia are supplementing their medical care with chiropractic care.
- Primary CareFor example, federal grants for chiropractic research are now a reality. The Department of Defense formed a committee to introduce chiropractic services into the United States military. Several managed-care organizations now recognize us as qualified primary-care providers. And there is an ever-growing public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care.
- Family PracticeResearch has also been conducted around the world by governmental organizations (e.g., the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Ontario Ministry of Health), academic institutions (e.g., University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Welsh National School of Medicine), medical journals (e.g., the British Medical Journal, the Journal of Family Practice), and private research organizations (e.g., RAND, the Gallup Organization).
- DiarrheaSymptoms that may constitute a medical emergency include progressive weakness in the leg or bladder/bowel incontinence. Patients with these symptoms may have Cauda Equina Syndrome (Latin: "tail of the horse") and should seek immediate medical attention.
- Pelvic Pain
- NeurologyTopics of research vary widely and include anatomy, neurology, biomechanics, neurophysiology, instrumentation, public health, geriatrics, and human performance. The fundamental goals of the researchers are to promote and further chiropractic education and health care.
- Carpal Tunnel SyndromeIn summary, the above-referenced studies indicate chiropractic is effective for head, neck, and back pain, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and infantile colic. It is important to note that the conditions discussed in this section are not the only conditions we treat— this has simply been a sampling of studies that have been conducted to determine the efficacy of chiropractic. Bear in mind that this entire web site is loaded with cited research articles supporting what chiropractors do in practice. Our scope of practice extends well beyond the above maladies, and we will help you determine if chiropractic care will be an effective means of treating your particular condition.
- HypothyroidismThe biggest difference between chiropractors and medical doctors lies not in their level of education, but in their preferred method of caring for people. Medical doctors are trained in the use of medicines (chemicals that affect your internal biochemistry) and surgery. Consequently, if you have a chemical problem, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, or an infection, medical doctors can be very helpful. However, if your problem is that your spine is mis-aligned or you have soft tissue damage causing pain, there is no chemical in existence that can fix it. You need a physical solution to correct a physical problem. That is where chiropractic really shines. Chiropractors provide physical solutions -- adjustments, exercises, stretches, muscle therapy -- to help the body heal from conditions that are physical in origin, such as back pain, muscle spasms, headaches, and poor posture. Another distinction is the fact that it is completely appropriate to receive chiropractic care even if you do not have symptoms. Unlike standard medical doctors, whom you visit when you have a symptom to be treated, chiropractors offer adjustments to improve spinal alignment and overall well-being before symptoms develop.
- UltrasoundOne study, published in 1998 and conducted by researchers from the Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Minnesota, compared chiropractic treatment of CTS to conservative medical treatment. The chiropractic treatment included manipulation, ultrasound treatment, and wrist supports, while the medical group received an anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen) and wore wrist supports. They found that both methods of treatment proved to be equally effective and recommended that patients with CTS who are sensitive to medical side effects pursue chiropractic for treatment.
- MRIChiropractic care for this often involves muscle stripping, trigger point therapy as well as manipulation of the pathomechanical joint in question. General Low Back pain that does not involve pain down the leg is NOT sciatica. After imaging the low back either through X-Rays or perhaps MRI, chiropractors will approach LBP similarly to sciatica which again would include muscle work and manipulation of the spine.
- RadiologyChiropractors are leaders among the professions in treating uncomplicated CAD injuries. A thorough case history is taken along with a thorough examination. Often is the case where X-Rays are indicated. According to the literature (Foreman,S., Croft, A., Ibid; and Yochum, T, Rowe, L, “Essentials of Skeletal Radiology”, 3rd Ed., Vol. 1, Lippincott Williams & Wilkens, 2005), with cervical trauma the “rule of seven” is observed. That is to say, the seven view Davis Series, is the norm and usually required to appreciate all aspects of the cervical spine after ballistic impaction. Other X-Rays may be indicated. After accepting the patient and after the exam and X-Rays, treatment is initiated and that may include certain therapies to inhibit pain in addition to manipulation of the spine.
- X-Rays
- OrthopedicsPatients often already have pre-existing issues. The literature tells us that this will compound an injury. Pre-existing degeneration aka: “degenerative joint disease/DJD” should NOT be confused with the new injury itself. Often is the case where an opinion will be rendered stating the patient already had some degree of degeneration so any new pain or discomfort experienced by a motor vehicle crash is really just the old injury. This is NOT true! (Turkek, Orthopedics Principle and their Applications, Lippincott, 1977, p. 740; Calilliet, Neck and Arm Pain, F.A. Davis Company, 1981, p./ 103. Webb, “ Whiplash: Mechanisms and Patterns of Tissue Injury,” J Australian Chiro. Assoc., 6/84. Mairmaris, “ Whiplash Injuries of the Neck: a Retrospective Study,” Brit. J of Accident Surgery, 1988. Watkinson, “ Prognostic Factors in Soft Tissue Injuries of the Cervical Spine,” Brit. J of Accident Surgery, #4, 1991.)
- SciaticaLow back pain and/or leg pain that usually travels down the large sciatic nerve, from the lower back down the back of each leg, is generally referred to as sciatica and is fairly common. This pain can be caused when a nerve root in the lower spine that helps form the sciatic nerve is pinched or irritated. Bear in mind, that the sciatic nerve is the single largest nerve in the entire body. It is the diameter of your little finger, but most importantly, it starts out as many rootlets emerging from the spinal cord in the lower mid back and lumbar spine. All these separate rootlets join up in the lower hip region to form the larger main sciatic nerve. Sciatic is so common precisely because "sciatic pain" can start out at so many different levels throughout the low back.
- WhiplashWhiplash injuries are very common in car accidents. The whiplash injury is in part due to the fact that the muscles do not have enough time to brace. Whiplash, or “Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration” (CAD) accidents most often occur when a patient is stopped at a light or a stop sign and is rear-ended. Often is the case where a car skids and slams into another car or pole and still another common scenario is when a person is driving and gets “T-Boned” by another moving vehicle in the side. *MVC=motor vehicle crash.
- Pinched NerveThis is usually caused by pressure on elements of the sciatic nerve from a herniated disc (also referred to as a ruptured disc, pinched nerve, slipped disk, etc.) in the lumbar spine. The problem is often diagnosed as a "radiculopathy", meaning that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root) in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve.
- Physical TherapyTo keep the wiring fixed and the information flowing, several adjustments over a course of time may be necessary, in addition to massage, physical therapy, stretching exercises, or strengthening exercises. In the chiropractic world, keeping the problem fixed and preventing its reoccurrence is just as important as the initial remedy.
- Shoulder Pain
- Neck Pain
- Back Pain
- Manual TherapyOrthopedic: Interestingly, articles have been emerging showing the damage done by "advanced" spinal surgery. In an article titled “The Fallacy of Spinal Surgery” by B M Luklinski, the issue of spinal surgery is harshly criticized. He quotes extensively from famed orthopedist, Alf Nachemson in this article. For example, in the U.S., which "has the lowest level of spinal care and skill," 650,000 operations (250,000 lumbar) are performed yearly earning over $3.5 Billion for the orthopedic surgeons and hospitals that do the work. This results in "hundreds of thousands" of permanent life-long disabilities which themselves need further and continuous pain management and support care. According to Nachemson, "99% of all spinal disorders are curable non-invasively through established procedures." "Spinal surgery should be confined to 0.3 - 0.5% of the back pain cases only." Nachemson and Luklinski go on to state that in their opinion, 99% of all spinal disorders are mechanical in origin and therefore the only truly effective therapeusis is manual therapy.
- Geriatrics