Ailments
What is neck (Cervical Spine) pain?
Minor aches, pains, and stiffness that once would go away over a good night’s rest or disappear after a couple of minutes to hours. Now, these symptoms are reoccurring, lasting for more than 24 hours. Persistent pain is a symptom indicating something seriously wrong. At this time, professional evaluation is recommended.
The following is a partial list of some of the conditions that can cause neck pain:
Radiculopathy
Pain caused by a pinched nerve that travels down from the neck to shoulders into the arm. Pinched nerve pain can be caused by a discal problem in the neck.
Cervical Myalgia
Achiness or soreness from the muscles that tend to be associated with poor posture from sitting in front of the TV or computer, habits and chores around the house, or from work.
Car Accidents
The neck may experience injury in which there is an increase in backward movement (Hyperextension), followed by an increase in forward motion (Hyperflexion). The rapid movement is known as “Whiplash.” The neck may develop symptoms such as painful spasms and weakness. This may occur immediately or weeks later. Injury to the neck can create instability of the ligaments and soft tissue pain.
Cervical Degeneration
As we age or if we have had problems before with our neck, the bones of the neck become closer as the disc decreases, creating a narrowing of the nerve openings, either around the spinal cord or nerve root (Spinal Stenosis) or spurring from the bones creating an Arthritic condition.
Other Neck Pain
Not all neck pain comes from the spine. Some pain refers up the neck from the shoulder. Gall bladder disease is an example of the problems that can refer pain to the shoulder/neck region.
What is lower back (Lumber) pain?
Symptoms may start as minor aches to an occasional pinching pain, stiffness, or to even a constant sharp pain that may stay in your lower back or travel from the lower back into your buttocks or legs.
Below are some of the causes for different low back pain:
Radiculopathy
Pain caused by a pinched nerve shooting down the buttocks into the leg. The pinched nerve pain can be created by many causes such as slipped or herniated disc, or degeneration of the skeletal lumber vertebrae.
Spinal Lumbar Stenosis
A narrowing of where the nerve exits from the spine, creating symptoms like a pinch nerve or sciatica, a shooting pain down into the legs.
Loss of Disc Height
Degeneration of the disc between the bones in the lower back creates spurring on the bones, plus narrowing of the opening where the nerve exits from the spine, resulting in an Arthritic type of condition which irritates the nerves, loosening of the ligaments producing stiffness, pain, and even numbness.
Repetitive Strain Injury
This is an injury that occurs from repetitive use of the body in a normal or abnormal way. The body repeats the same task over and over again. It can result from working in a variety of settings, including factories or at a desk performing computer and general office work.
Ligament, Tendon, and Soft Tissue Pain
When muscles are overused and stretched, they can create soreness and pain in the body. This may happen with a strenuous activity like sports, from work, or performing household chores.
What is Ostheoarthritis?
Ostheoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and gradual loss of cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a “cushion” between the bones of the joints. Eventually, the cartilage cushion begins to degenerate, which causes pain, inflammation, and lack of joint mobility.
Chiropractic care may be able to prevent or slow down the progression of spinal degeneration or arthritis. It helps to increase joint mobility, and helps with joint pain relief.
What are Sports Injuries?
Any injury that occurs while playing any type of sport, whether it is school, professional, or a hobby “the weekend warrior,” can be classified as a sports injury. From shoulder injuries from swinging golf clubs, to elbow pains from swinging tennis rackets, even ankles and feet problems from running when playing soccer or baseball can be classified as sports injuries. Additionally, knee injuries from playing football and low back problems from any sporting activities can be treated with help from Chiropractic treatments.
Chiropractic has served to help increase performance with our Olympic and professional teams.
Dr. Cheatham has completed 100 hours of Continuing Education in Sports Medicine, helping young adults and adults in rehabilitation of sports injuries. She has used this knowledge to rehabilitate extreme injuries that occur on the job and at home.
Treatment
A doctor of chiropractic will determine the appropriate course of treatment on an individual basis. A specialized examination procedure that includes X-rays (plain or specialized, i.e. MRI), along with diagnostic testing will aid in determining the exact nature of your neck and/or low back condition, producing a diagnosis.
Diagnosis helps to determine the treatment plan of Chiropractic manipulation, along with electric stimulation (interferential, Russian stim, or low modality), heat, ice, ultrasound, or laser. Nutritional supplements, along with back or neck supports may be recommended.
Exercise is recommended to help strengthen and improve the function of the lower back and/or neck. Proper way to rest and sleep as well as type of mattress used are very important to help in healing and rebuilding the lower back and/or neck, helping you to feel good again.
Our goal is to get you back as soon as possible to your lifestyle of work, sports, and leisure activities.
Contact us and feel better today!