6 Reasons To See A Chiropractor

Chiropractor

The gradual progress of technology is straying us further from an active lifestyle. This can cause many health issues regarding our muscles and joints. And, chiropractic therapy with Lifecare Chiropractic in Mesa, AZ offers is arguably the most natural and effective method of resolving such issues. Here, we have listed a few reasons why you might want to consider chiropractic therapy.

Back and Neck Pain

Almost all of us are occasionally susceptible to back and neck pain, if not regularly. These issues may stem from bad posture, poor sleeping position or spending too much time sitting on an ill-formed chair at the office. Back and neck pain is usually associated with misalignment of the spine. This is often amplified through the patient’s non-medical procedures of relieving the pain. A licensed chiropractor, however, can take scientific measures to eliminate the pain from its source, often at times with just one visit.

Headaches

A study conducted in Duke University discovered that chiropractic therapy could be a better solution to relieving headaches than painkillers. Our anatomy being extremely complicated, headaches are often related to many other bodily functions. And by paying the chiropractor a visit, you can help treat many forms of headaches.

Fatigue

With our busy indoor lives, muscle and joint pain may occur spontaneously. This suffering may cause us to feel tired and restless, which may directly affect our productivity. We may not be getting the optimal output from our work we would if we had healthier and more active bodies. Chiropractic therapy addresses this issue directly by reliving you from suffering as well as refreshing your mind, setting you up for a good day’s work.

Stress

With our world moving faster than ever and our lives becoming just as hectic, we can hardly ever find the time to relax. Mental health issues related to stress is also at an all time high. So it can be very helpful for an individual to take gather some relaxation from a visit to the chiropractor and perhaps reduce some stress.

Uncomfortable Sleep

Sleep is an essential part of human life and works as a fuel for our daily activities. A bad sleep can be the difference between a great and a terrible day. There are many cases of people suffering from muscle pains who find it difficult to sleep. This may also result in a short sleeping routine, which may bear a negative effect in our lives for an indefinite period of time. Chiropractic therapy can resolve your muscle tensions, helping you enjoy a good sleep.

Long-term Injuries

People that have been involved in physically traumatic experiences like a car accident or otherwise can find relief from chiropractic therapy.

Thank you to our friends and contributors at LifeCare Chiropractic for their insight into chiropractic care and reasons to schedule your visit today.

The Basics of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractor

Chiropractic care is a form of medicine that has grown in popularity. Many patients appeal to chiropractics due to it being a non-invasive and alternative treatment approach. Chiropractics has the potential to treat various types of conditions, along with promoting overall health of the nervous system. A patient who has never tried chiropractics before, may be looking forward to a new form of medicine in hopes they find relief from aches and pains. Not all patients are adjusted the same, as treatment plans tend to focus more on the individual’s needs, illness, or condition.

Here we have answered several questions that those new to chiropractics may wonder before scheduling their first appointment:

Q: Are all patients adjusted the same?

A: Not every patient’s body, condition, or injury is the same. A chiropractor, like a chiropractor in Glen Burnie, MD evaluates each person and his or her unique spinal misalignments to create a personalized type of care. Additionally, not every adjustment may be the same as the previous appointment, since each session builds on from the one before.

Q: What if a patient had back surgery before seeing a chiropractor?

A: It still isn’t too late to see a chiropractor after back surgery. In fact, it is estimated that more than half of people with spinal surgery experience a return of symptoms within a few years. A patient may then either have to choose between undergoing surgery again, or researching other forms of treatment. Chiropractic care may be able to prevent a patient from having to endure multiple back surgeries. In some cases, getting chiropractic care from the start can help prevent a person from going through a serious back procedure at all.

Q: Is it possible that I can learn, and adjust myself?

A: Chiropractic adjustments require force being applied to specific areas, at a certain direction. It is almost impossible to adjust your own back or spine independently, without causing an injury or making a current one worse. While some people may twist their back and hear a cracking sound, this may actually be counterproductive. It is recommended that someone who needs an adjustment, gets it done by a medical professional.

Q: What is subluxation?

A: Subluxation occurs when there is a misalignment of the vertebrae, which can lead to many health problems. It can be difficult to determine whether you have subluxation, as it may take a long period of time before any symptoms arise. Receiving an exam and adjustments regularly from a chiropractor can promote spinal health and help prevent such conditions from developing.

Q: Do chiropractic adjustments treat a variety of health problems?

A: Chiropractic care can help improve nervous system function and enable the body to be more flexible in everyday life. When the body has a healthy nervous system, it’s healing capacity can operate at the optimum level. A person with any of the following conditions may benefit from chiropractic care:

• Arthritis
• Chronic headaches
• Neck and back pain
• Carpal tunnel
• Epicondylitis
• Muscle sprains and strains
• Whiplash
• Herniated discs
• Scoliosis

Contact  Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic for more information about their chiropractic care.

Is Chiropractic Care for All Ages?

Chiropractor

As a human, your body was made to have a joyful and vibrant life. But, as the years go by we may experience many ups and downs that can put stress on our system. Chiropractic care can help prevent spinal and nervous system problems, while enabling your body to heal itself to the fullest extent possible. Those who want to try chiropractic care, may wonder if it can be beneficial for all ages. Many people in various stages of life can see improvements through chiropractic adjustments:

Q: Are newborns too young to receive a chiropractic adjustment?

A: The process of birth is tiring for both mother and baby. Labor and delivery can be a potentially traumatic experience for the newborn, causing stress of the spine and nervous system. A newborn baby suffering from such stress, may experience chronic ear infections, difficulty sleeping, and colic. Chiropractic adjustments can help improve the health of both mother and infant.

Q: Do children need chiropractic care?

A: Children tend to have very active and energetic lives, which also may increase the chances of an injury occurring at one point or another. Chiropractic care can help children stay healthy, prevent chemical imbalances, and maintain the nervous system as they grow through each stage of development.

Q: How can adults benefit from chiropractic treatments?

A: Adulthood comes along with a mixture and complexity of responsibilities. Balancing life can become physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, in which the nervous system can be drastically impacted. If the spinal column is not in proper alignment, the nutrients and blood cannot flow as it was intended. After one or many adjustments, an adult patient may find they are less stressed, have more flexibility, in addition to a decrease of aches and pains. Illnesses, injuries, and other conditions that can be improved through chiropractic treatments include:

• Neck and back pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraine/tension headaches
• Sleep disorders
• Arthritis
• Sciatica
• Bursitis
• Impaired immune system
• Joint injuries
• Muscle sprains

Q: Can chiropractic treatments help add years to your life?

A: The decisions you make now can have a huge impact on your future longevity. A spine and nervous system that is working properly, leads to muscles and organs being healthy too. As we get older our bodies start to become weaker, so pains are more likely to develop. Chiropractic treatments can add years to your life, especially when you can live them without chronic pain or discomforts. Everyone deserves to have the most rewarding life possible, without limitations related to the musculoskeletal system.

Q: Are chiropractic adjustments painful?

A: Chiropractic realignments of the spine or other joints should not be painful. A person may initially worry after hearing certain cracks and popping sounds during the adjustment, but these are quite normal. These sounds are just air pockets being released from between joints. A person may feel sore in the day or so after an adjustment, but it is only temporary. There should be no sheer pain, so if you feel anything more than the soreness like after a good workout, contact your chiropractor, like a chiropractor in Glen Burnie, MD, right away.

Contact Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic to learn more about chiropractic care.

Is manipulation under anesthesia safe? What should I know about it?

Chiropractor

Manipulation under anesthesia, also known as MUA, is a type of manipulative technique that is non invasive. It is performed by a chiropractor and meant to offer relief from chronic pain that has been responsive to other forms of non surgical care. MUA focuses on breaking up internal scar tissue that is leftover from an injury or surgery, and as a result, restores movement while reducing pain. MUA can be used to treat the back, neck, shoulders, and joints as well as muscle spasms.

When a patient is undergoing MUA, they are sedated. An example of the amount of sedation used might be the “twilight” state which is common in the sedation of a patient undergoing a colonoscopy or tooth extraction. This type of sedation allows the chiropractor to adjust the joints and bones, or stretch and align the muscles without any resistance to the treatment. Less force is applied during the procedure making it painless and often effective.

MUA is performed by trained and certified doctors who work in chiropractic medicine, rehabilitation, osteopathy, or orthopedics. It is considered to be a subspecialty which means it may not be available in every clinical office.

Benefits of MUA

Many patients experiencing back, neck, or shoulder pain respond well to manipulation, exercise, massage, and rehabilitation. Some of these patients will find that their relief is limited to a few days or weeks. In this case MUA could be an option. Benefits of manipulation under anesthesia include:

• It is safer than surgery
• It is cost effective
• It is covered by most insurance plans
• It is covered by most workers compensation

Is MUA Right for You

Before scheduling you for MUA treatment, a chiropractic doctor should assess your medical history, symptoms, and previous chiropractic care. A physical evaluation and neurological exam may be conducted to confirm a diagnosis. The following tests might also be ordered:

• MRI or CT scan
• X-ray
• Ultrasound
• EKG
• Nerve conduction velocity test
• Pregnancy test
• Blood test

Patients who have been diagnosed with the following might be suited to MUA:

• Chronic sprain or strain
• Chronic disc pain
• Acute muscle spasms
• Failed back surgery
• Fibrous adhesions
• Loss of movement or motion
• Chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Pinched nerve

MUA is not recommended for:

• Acute inflammatory gout
• Cancer
• Inflammatory arthritis
• Bone fractures
• Obesity
• Bone infection
• Severe osteoporosis
• Compression of the spinal cord

The aforementioned is not exhaustive. There are other conditions that could be treated with MUA, as well as those that should not be treated with it. Patients who are taking certain types of medication or cannot be sedated will also not be candidates for MUA.

How MUA is Performed

Manipulation under sedation is typically performed in a hospital. The anesthesia is given by an anesthesiologist. The patient will be sedated, but not unconscious. Various anesthesia could be given depending on the patient’s circumstances. Once the patient is sedated, the chiropractic doctor, like a chiropractor in Glen Burnie, MD, will begin to employ different techniques on the symptomatic part of the body. The entire procedure takes between 15 and 40 minutes. The patient slowly regains awareness and will be monitored for a brief period of time. He or she can return home on the same day. Typically noticeable improvements in range of motion and pain is immediately noticed. Localized muscle soreness is common and may be treated with herbal balms, ice, heat, or OTC medication. Physical therapy or cryotherapy might also be recommended.

In general, a patient will need between 2 and 4 MUA treatments. These are often done on consecutive days rather than at separate intervals.

Contact Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic for more information about chiropractic care.

Chiropractors

Americans suffer from headaches more than ever. Studies show that 9 out of 10 Americans suffer from some type of headache.  Only around 5% of headaches indicate that something else is physically wrong, while 95% of headaches are just that – headaches.

We sit more than we used to in the past due to most jobs involving sitting at a desk in front of a computer. Because of this, our posture becomes out of alignment and our joints and muscles tense up, causing our heads to ache.

Chiropractic care can help realign your spine to relax your muscles and calm any nerve pain. Here are some common headaches that can be helped by seeing a chiropractor.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common form of headaches and women are twice as likely to experience tension headaches. While tension headaches don’t prevent you from living your life or impact your vision or balance, they can be very uncomfortable.

These headaches can be cause by stress, not getting enough sleep, being hungry, and your posture. Because tension headaches are common and minor headaches, they should be treated non-medically if possible. Try adjusting your sleep habits, eating healthy meals, and taking time to relax throughout the day. If you’re still experiencing headaches, it may be a result of a misalignment of your spine and you should reach out to a chiropractor.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are short in duration and typically occur on one side of your head and face. They are extremely painful (they can be compared with the severity of migraines only shorter in duration) and can happen every day for up to months at a time. Cluster headaches are seasonal, but are not connected with allergies.

The cause of cluster headaches is still unclear, chiropractors do know that the headaches involve the trigeminal nerve in your face. Because these headaches concern nerve pain, you should reach out to a chiropractor for treatment. Nerve pain is sometimes caused by a misalignment with your spine. A chiropractor can properly align the region in your spine that is pressing on that nerve and can prevent future cluster headaches.

Migraines

Migraines are the most severe forms of headaches. They can last for hours and are debilitating, interrupting your daily activities. Symptoms include vomiting, temporary vision loss, and sensitivity to light and sound. The pain is so severe that many migraine sufferers have to shut themselves in a dark room until the headache has subsided.

Tension headaches and migraines have similar causes: stress, lack of sleep, muscle tension in the neck, diet, and dehydration. If you are suffering from migraines, make adjustments in these areas of your life before turning to any over-the-counter medication. Drink lots of water throughout the day, stretch, be aware of your posture, and get enough sleep.

If your migraines persist, reach out to a chiropractor. Chiropractors can make adjustments to your spine to help relieve any muscle tension in your neck that may be causing your migraines. After a few weeks of treatment, you should be able to feel a radical difference in the duration and occurrence of your migraines.

Seeing a headache doctor regularly can not only help treat any current headache troubles you currently have, but can also help prevent future headaches. Chiropractors can also recommend exercises you can do at home when you start feeling a headache coming on. Reach out to a chiropractor today to schedule a consultation.