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Chiropractic

Adult & Child Wellness

Back pain / Leg pain / Sciatica

Neck pain / Headaches

Shoulder / Arm Pain

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Back Pain:

The facet joints on the back side of each spinal bone are a common cause of back pain. If these joints are not moving properly, they can cause pain.

The discs between spinal bones can be a source of back pain, too. These discs act as spacers, and shock-absorbers for the spine. Trauma can cause the soft, pulpy material in the middle to bulge or herniate, putting pressure on delicate nearby nerves.

Once the cause is determined, you have a choice to make.  Bed-rest is a common recommendation, but research shows that prolonged bed rest often delays recovery and making the problem worse.

Physical therapy is another option.  Although exercise and stretching can be an important part of recovering from back pain, exercising spinal joints that aren't working right is like continuing to drive your car with misaligned tires.

Massage can help relax tight or spasming muscles.  This may feel better for a short time; however, it will not correct the alignment of the spinal joints.  This may lead to a re-occurrence of the muscle spasm.

Another choice is to numb or cover up the pain with drugs. While drugs are great at giving temporary relief, they will not correct the underlying problem.  This can lead to a dependence on medication to continue with regular daily activities.

The most drastic measure is surgery. This may include: laminectomy, discectomy, or spinal fusion.  By cutting off offending pieces, immobilizing spinal joints, and leaving sensitive nerve tissue exposed, the surgeon removes or alters the affected area. While there may be times when this makes sense, it is expensive and risky.  Also, more than half of all back surgeries fail.

More people are choosing chiropractic care.  A chiropractic examination can help determine if your spine is not working properly.  If this is the case, specific chiropractic adjustments can help restore spinal function, thereby correcting the problem and getting rid of the pain.

Leg Pain or Sciatica:

Problems in the back may put pressure on nerves which exit through that area.  Many of the nerves in the lower back travel down the leg.  The main nerve is called the sciatic nerve.  Irritation of this (or other nerves) can lead to pain or other symptoms in one or both legs.  This pain can be mild to severe and many times may be present without any noticeable back pain.  Chiropractic adjustment help restore proper spinal motion.  This reduces pressure on the affected nerves.  As function returns to normal, leg pain will often disappear.