About Chiropractic
Headaches and Chiropractic
Some estimates suggest that 25% of the population has a headache right now!
Because headaches are so common, some people think that getting a headache is
just a normal part of life. Headaches are a sign that something is wrong.
A frequent and overlooked cause of headaches is the malfunction of spinal bones
in the neck and upper back. When bones of the spine lose their normal position or
motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels to the head can be affected. When
spinal nerves and related tissues are stretched and irritated they can produce
throbbing headaches. Aspirin and medications may cover up these warning signs,
but do not correct the underlying structural cause.
Many people find relief and correction with chiropractic care. If a thorough
examination reveals reduced range of motion, loss of normal spinal curves, or
mechanical restrictions, chiropractic care should be considered. After a complete
explanation, you'll receive a care program designed for your unique spinal problem.
Many patients report headache relief. Others find that the correction of their
problem takes longer because their spinal problem has existed undetected for
many years. Every patient responds differently. Regardless of how you respond,
enjoy the drug-free results millions have enjoyed by consulting Dr. Elliott at Back
To Life Chiropractic.
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Whiplash and Chiropractic
Whiplash is one of the most common consequences of auto accidents; it is
estimated that 15% to 30% of car occupants will suffer neck pain. In almost all
whiplash-type injuries the spine is thrown first in one direction and then is pulled in
the opposite direction. The rebound can and often does cause injury to your soft
tissues - muscles, ligaments, tendons and other tissues.
Whiplash can be mild to severe and can range from rapid healing to slow healing to
long term chronic pain and impairment. Studies show that a large percentage of
whiplash sufferers, from 50% to as much as 88%, may continue to suffer pain and
some amount of disability for years after the accident.
Whiplash symptoms may start as neck soreness or stiffness, perhaps accompanied
by a headache immediately or within a few hours of the accident. Along with these
symptoms there may be pain and/or numbness, tingling or a pins - and - needles
feeling between the shoulder blades, arm and hand. Some people may experience
ear ringing, dizziness or even hearing loss. Sometimes the eyes can be affected
and there may be pain behind the eyeballs, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or
other visual symptoms. Occasionally, there may be running of the nose.
A concussion may accompany a whiplash. It occurs from a violent shaking of the
head where the brain is thrown around against the inside of the skull. Concussion
symptoms may include headache, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, moodiness,
depression and emotional jitters that may last for hours or days after the accident.
Not only whiplash, but any kind of accident may cause the vertebral subluxation
complex. Injuries to the joints of the spinal column may be the cause of many of the
symptoms associated with whiplash injuries. Painkillers, muscle relaxers or
sedatives cannot restore function to the joints of the spinal column - only a trained
chiropractor can remove the cause of whiplash symptoms and facilitate the healing
process.
If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident - call Back To
Life Chiropractic today!
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Low Back Pain
Back pain brings more people to the chiropractor than any other single problem.
Most patients who consult their chiropractor about back pain have been to another
doctor in a different field of health care for the problem. Their back pain may have
been diagnosed as sciatica, slipped disc, lumbago, arthritis, neuritis, pinched
nerve, strain, or some other condition.
Although having a name attached to a problem can be satisfying, most patients are
primarily interested in feeling better. They want their pain relieved quickly and
permanently. Many patients know what brought on their back pain - they picked up
a lawn mower, or fell off a ladder, or were involved in another type of accident.
Many other patients can pinpoint a specific event that triggered their pain.
Often, job related stress, either physical or emotional, can bring on backaches.
Lifting heavy loads improperly, repeated bending or other actions that use a
particular set of muscles, or standing on concrete floors day after day are just
some of the job conditions that can stress your body and lead to pain.
Family worries, financial problems, or job dissatisfaction are among the emotional
stresses that can cause muscles to be constantly tense and ultimately painful.
To help identify the source of your back pain, your chiropractor doctor will conduct
a thorough orthopedic and neurological examination. This may include x-rays of
your spine. X-rays are very important for providing the most complete picture of the
cause of your pain
Many of the pain-sensing nerves of the spine are in the facet joints, the two
interlocking "fingers" at the back of each spinal bone. The normally smooth
surfaces on which these joints glide, can become rough, irritated, and inflamed.
Surgical treatment often involves removing these facet joints, exposing the spinal
cord. Another cause of lower back pain can be a bulging disc putting pressure on
the spinal cord or a nearby nerve root. The result is often numbness, tingling, or
pain down the leg. Cutting away the bulging disc tissue, can permanently alter its
ability to separate and cushion the adjacent bones. This rarely addresses the
underlying structural cause(s) of the problem. The chiropractic approach is to help
restore a more normal motion and position of affected spinal bones by specific
chiropractic adjustments. The simplicity and success of this approach has been
documented in numerous research projects and has helped many patients avoid
risky surgery.
Dr. Marilyn Elliott at Back To Life Chiropractic has extensive training in the
management of low back conditions; she is board certified in the treatment of these
problems. Your care may keep you out of surgery. Call Back To Life Chiropractic
today and see if chiropractic can help your low back pain.
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Sports and Chiropractic
Spinal injuries can restrict range of motion, reduce strength, slow reflexes, shorten
endurance, and decrease performance. Chiropractic care for these types of
injuries has become increasingly popular. Professional sports teams, Olympic
trainers, and competitive athletes employ chiropractic doctors - because they
demand results.
Chiropractic care helps restore function to spinal joints that are "locked up", fixated,
and not moving properly. Besides helping to relieve pain, chiropractic care can also
help reduce inflammation. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments depend upon proper
joint movement for peak performance. Injuries to these tissues can reduce range of
motion, affect delicate nerves, decrease blood supply, and take you out of the
game. Normalizing spinal function helps speed the healing of these soft tissues and
reduce the deconditioning effect of being on the sidelines.
An aerobic exercise program or a plan of brisk walking can improve muscle tone
and help you avoid strains, sprains, and other activity - restricting health problems.
Whether you golf, play tennis, bicycle, or bowl, the best treatment for sports injuries
is prevention!
Visit Back To Life Chiropractic and find out if chiropractic care can restore your
health, improve your performance, and increase your competitive edge.
Better Reaction Time and Coordination
Athletes under chiropractic care were compared with a control group that received
no care for agility, balance, power, speed, and reaction time. After six weeks, the
chiropractic group had a 10.7% improvement while the control group had a 4.5%
improvement. After 12 weeks, the chiropractic group's improvement was 16.7%!
The chiropractic athlete reacts faster, coordinates better, executes fine movement
with improved accuracy and precision amounting to an overall better athlete. That's
why 75% of the San Francisco 49ers received chiropractic care the day they won
the 1990 Super Bowl.
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Children and Chiropractic
Children benefit from chiropractic care before they are born, by having a mother
who receives prenatal chiropractic checkups. A healthy diet, proper exercise, a
stress free environment, and a chiropractic lifestyle help prepare for a happy,
healthy baby.
Even so-called "natural" birthing methods can stress a still developing spine. The
resulting irritation to the nervous system can be the cause of many newborn health
complaints. Colic, unexplained crying, poor appetite, breathing problems, and
allergic reactions can often be traced to nervous system dysfunction caused by a
malfunctioning spine.
Head support, followed by crawling and a baby's first few steps should be followed
by chiropractic checkups. If neglected, the bumps and falls during this period of
rapid growth may lead to serious spinal deformities later in life. This can set the
stage for scoliosis, growing pains, and a weakened immune system response.
Chiropractic adjusting techniques are modified to fit a child's size, weight, and
unique spinal problem. Parents often report their children seem healthier than
other kids their age.
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Scoliosis and Chiropractic
Scoliosis is a sideways curving of the spine that often gets started in childhood,
when the bones of the spine are still growing. It is thought that scoliosis is the
result of a hereditary problem or an adaptation to some type of trauma, such as the
birth process, or an injury, such as falling off a bicycle. It usually starts with
problems in the lower back. Because spinal bones continue to grow well into the
early 20s, if left uncorrected, scoliosis often worsens. Unfortunately, the most
common treatment approach has been to wait and see how bad it gets, resorting to
unsightly braces, or eventually surgery, if it progresses too far. The chiropractic
approach is to use the specific spinal adjustments, often combined with corrective
exercises. If detected early enough, chiropractic doctors have had excellent
success with scoliosis cases. Early detection and chiropractic correction is
important for optimum results. Dr. Elliott has had excellent results in her care of the
scoliotic spine in both children and adults. If you would like to see if chiropractic
can help with your or your children's scoliotic curvature, please call Back To Life
Chiropractic and make an appointment today.
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Normal curve Loss of curve
reduction of scoliosis is possible using chiropractic
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