chiropractic Archives - Family Tree Chiropractic OKC

Dec 06 2022

Importance of Blending Chiropractic Care with Back-Strengthening Exercise

Back problems often are a result of a bad posture that could cause severe pains. Restoring the back to its original and natural condition takes time, and a combination of chiropractic care with the recommended exercise can dramatically enhance recovery.

A combination of the two provides numerous benefits. Exercise keeps muscles in their proper tone, increases blood circulation around the body, improves digestion and develops a better lifestyle all together.

The following back-strengthening exercises complement the healing process greatly:

Hip Bridge

The Hip Bridge exercise strengthens those muscles near the lower back that play an important role in stabilizing the spine.

It can be carried out by lying on the back with the feet flat and about hip width apart; the knees should be bent. The arms should be relaxed. The person then squeezes their buttocks as they lift their hips in a straight line towards the shoulders. After around 3 seconds, return to the starting position, slowly.

Around 12 repetitions are recommended.

Bird Dog

The bird dog exercise aims at strengthening the lower back, hip, butt and thigh muscles.

The person kneels on the floor with both hands spaced out about a shoulder-width apart. Tuck in the belly towards the spine and raise one leg straight backwards while raising the other hand in opposite direction.

Hold in this position for 15 seconds and then return to starting point, carrying out the same procedure on the opposite side hand and leg.

Side Plank

The side plank exercise strengthens the lower back. It is done by the following method:

The person is to lie on their right side, straight from head to the feet while resting on their forearms. The elbow should be directly under their shoulder. The abdominals are to be gently contracted and the hips slowly lifted off the floor – in the same straight position.

This position should be held for at least about 30 seconds before lowering the hip.

Lunge

Lunge exercises enhance a person’s overall control of their body. This tends to protect the spine in daily activities, such as walking and running or even stair-climbing.

Starting off with the abs gently contracted. The hands are placed on the hips; the person then takes a big step-forward using the right foot while sinking the right knee at a right-angle.

The person should then slowly return to the starting position, switch the legs and repeat – 10 repetitions are recommended.

Image used under Creative Commons Licensing: Side Plank.jpg

Dec 06 2022

Neck Disc Injuries – Cervical Disc Prolapse and Chiropractic Treatment

Neck disc injuries are contracted by individuals mostly because of the different body postures, during work. The long hours spent in front of the computer start to take their toll, and individuals experience tingling pain and sometimes a numb feeling in their arms and fingers, which are signs of a neck disc injury. Chiropractic is very effective in the treatment of individuals suffering from different neck disc injuries, like cervical disc prolapse.

What Is Cervical Disc Prolapse?

Cervical Disc Prolapse is a medical term for a slipped disc in the neck of a patient. A slipped disc condition is more common in the back than in the neck, and individuals in the 30 to 50 age bracket are more prone to this medical condition.

The 7 vertebra, the bones which constitute the spinal cord, have discs in between each bone. The 7 vertebra are termed from C1 to C7, and a slipped disc in the neck is more common between the C5 to C6 and the C6 to C7 vertebra.

In cervical disc prolapse, the discs have a tough outer covering which tends to degenerate because of the constant exertion and movement experienced by an individual, especially when engaged in different work related activities like operating a machine or a computer for a long number of hours. In extreme cases, where there is acute degeneration of the outer fibrous layer of the disc, the soft nerves become exposed, and bulge out of the disc. This results in extreme pain for the individual as the disc exerts pressure on the nerves, causing inflammation.

In some cases, the disc might slip towards the back and the side, which causes extensive pain in the shoulder and arm of the individual. A slipped disc in the neck, or cervical disc prolapse, might also exhibit symptoms like a numb feeling or pins and needles in the whole arm, and pain in case of any neck or shoulder movement.

Chiropractic Treatment for Disc Injuries

Chiropractic is a non-invasive form of treatment, which focuses on the treatment and prevention of different musculoskeletal disorders, muscle strains and disc injuries. Chiropractors provide different treatment methods which include massages, joint adjustment procedures for pain and strains in the back and neck areas of the body. Spinal manipulation is a forte of chiropractic, in which it focuses on relieving the pain of the patient and improving muscular disorders, to facilitate movement. It is gaining popularity as a highly effective treatment method for neck and spinal pains and strains.

Image used under Creative Commons Licensing: 32323 – FEMA photographer Mark Wolfe working at a computer in Findlay, OH JFO.jpg

Dec 06 2022

Risks of Leaving the Sciatica Untreated

Sciatica is very painful medical condition in which the patient experiences extreme pain and tingling sensations in his back, hip, legs and thighs. The pain is caused as a result of pressure exerted on the nerves, either due to any inflammation in the vertebra or the narrowing of the spinal canal. Piriformis syndrome, lumber spinal stenosis and spinal disc herniation are common causes of sciatica pain in individuals. Chiropractic treatment is highly effective for relieving the patients of the painful condition.

Why Is Prompt Identification And Treatment Important?

It is very important for patients to recognize the symptoms and seek professional medical assistance for their sciatica condition. The doctor takes prompt prescribed tests to identify the cause of the sciatica pain in order to focus his attention on the specific treatment required for the condition.

If a patient does not seek medical assistance for his sciatica problem, it may result in exaggerating his condition with the period of time. A number of possible problems can arise for the patient besides the continuous pain in the back and the hip region.

Permanent Nerve Damage

Patients who do not seek prompt medical help for their sciatica run a high risk of suffering from permanent nerve damage. In case of a permanent damage to the sciatica nerve, the patient will experience excruciating pain in the back and legs, which will not be alleviated to a satisfactory level, even with the use of pain relieving medication.

The different treatment methods like water and physical therapy become extremely painful for the patient because of his severe nerve damage.

Paralysis in the Affected Limb

The patient experiences a loss of feeling in the affected limb, which in some cases also leads to difficulty in movement, and ultimately paralysis. The affected leg becomes devoid of all sensation and movement, hampering the patient already troubled with the excruciating pain.

Loss of Bladder Control

Patients who do not get medical treatment for their sciatica problem can experience a loss of control in their bladder and bowels. This adds to the problems already faced by the patient while dealing with his sciatica condition.

A pressurized sciatica nerve causes severe pain, tingling and numbing sensations in the legs and thighs, and cramps along with fever. Patients should seek prompt medical assistance for the correct identification and treatment of sciatica before the condition becomes incurable. Chiropractic treatment is considered as very effective for the treatment of sciatica pain in individuals.

Image used under Creative Commons Licensing: Leg pain by The Clear Communication People

Dec 06 2022

I’m Pregnant. Can I Go To My Chiropractor?

I’m so glad you asked.

Too many people believe that while chiropractors specialize on the spine that they aren’t much good for other things.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Yes, chiropractic care specializes on the maintenance of the spinal cord, the discs, and all the nerves that funnel through that well-protected channel. Virtually all the nerves in our body are protected at some point in our spine.

And while all chiropractors are skilled at dealing with all types of patients, there are some who have made it their specialty to work with pre-natal patients. In order to do this, they seek additional specialized training.

The first and most obvious issue is the way the abdomen protrudes as the pregnancy advances, putting the lower back at significant risk.

Pelvic balance and alignment makes for the best possible position of the baby during delivery. Any woman who experiences any pelvic changes resulting in misalignment may find it difficult to delivery her baby noninvasively.

Another way chiropractic affects pregnancy is in a DC’s ability to offer nutritional counseling. We can be sure you are getting the requisite vitamins and so forth.

Larry Webster, D.C. was the founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Before his death, he developed a specific analysis and adjustment technique, called the Webster Technique, that allows chiropractors to establish balance in a pregnant woman’s pelvis. This relieves stress to her uterus and supporting ligaments.

The ICPA recommends that women receive regular chiropractic care during their pregnancy to establish optimal pelvic balance. This will allow the baby the best opportunity to move into the correct position at birth.

Many women report far greater comfort during their pregnancy as well as easier delivery when they have been under the regular care of a chiropractor who has been specially trained in the treatment of pregnant women.

Find chiropractors in your area who specialize in the care of pregnant women and begin the interview process earlier than later. The sooner you find a chiropractor you feel comfortable with, the better. Your obstetrician or midwife might be able to give you excellent referral options. Finding a team of people who are willing to work with you and respect the choices that are important to you allows for a more comfortable pregnancy for you.

Pregnancy Bump by Anna Longova

Dec 06 2022

Chiropractic Care to Relieve Symptoms of Pregnancy

A woman has to get used to the uncomfortable symptoms of pregnancy for 38 to 42 weeks. There are ways to relieve such pain through medication, but they can pose potential side effects on the mother and the child. Chiropractic care, on the other hand, has shown to have remarkably alleviated the symptoms of back problems associated with pregnancy. Therapy, nutrition and exercise are the basics of the treatment that makes chiropractic and pregnancy go hand in hand.

Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy

Chiropractic treatments are non-invasive and address the misalignment in the spine to alleviate pain. Studies have also shown chiropractic care to have no known side effects on pregnant woman and the innate child. It promotes development in the mother and the baby. The Webster Technique is commonly employed to treat pregnant women, as it tends to apply as less pressure on the abdomen as possible.

Common Symptoms of Pregnancy

Back pains are very common during pregnancy. Women put on extra weight during the period, thus increasing the pressure on the spine. This leads to nerve stress, which can halt the development of a child. Other common symptoms during pregnancy include:

Pelvic pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Morning sickness
Heartburn
Shortness of breath
High blood pressure
Swollen ankles
Hormonal changes

Complications That Can Arise

Dislocation of the vertebra, or better known as vertebral subluxation, can interrupt the nervous system and affect the ability of communication within a body. Subluxation can result in:

Nerve Tension – Muscles around the spine become tight and experience inflammation on areas with misalignment in the spine. This adds stress on the nerves, and these nerves lead to various parts and organs in the body, like muscles, glands and blood vessels. Neglecting nerve tension can cause degeneration in various body systems.

Body Imbalance – Subluxation in the neck can lead to head tilting on one side. The righting reflex in the brain causes lower cervical spine to bend on the opposite direction of the head tilt. This can cause one side of the pelvis to draw up, making one leg appear shorter than the other. The uneven distribution of weight puts more stress on the joints. Extremely painful for the mother, it may even cause problems for the baby to get into the right birthing position.

A visit to the chiropractor throughout pregnancy can help you get started with the treatment, and can make the pregnancy and delivery comfortable and faster.

Image used under Creative Commons Licensing: Pregnant woman2.jpg

Chiropractic Hours:

Connect With Us