Archive for February, 2009

Orlando Chiropractic Treatment Relieves Carpal Tunnel Pain!

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common nerve entrapment disorder. As the term “nerve entrapment” implies, these disorders happen when a nerve is trapped or compressed between body tissues creating inflammation and impairment of the nerve.

Anatomy

The carpal tunnel is situated in the underside of the wrist and is a passageway in which the median nerve travels through on its way to innervate the hand and fingers. In addition to the median nerve, the carpal tunnel includes the nine tendons of the forearm muscles that are responsible for bending and flexing of the fingers and thumb. There are also arteries and lymphatic vessels that supply circulation to the hand located within the tunnel. Wrist bones form the bottom and sides of the tunnel, while the top is shaped by the transverse carpal ligament, a strong band of connective tissue. The carpal tunnel is a densely-packed space about the size of an index finger. The flexor tendons, arteries and median nerve are intended to glide easily past each other during wrist and finger movement.

If the size of the tendon enlarges due to irritation or overuse, or if the carpal tunnel size dimenishes because of an improper use of the carpal bones, the median nerve can become compressed or entrapped within the carpal tunnel. At first, carpal tunnel symptoms generally include, pain, numbness, pins and needles, and tinging in the fingers and hand, particularly the thumb and adjacent two fingers. These symptoms are especially noticeable in the night and often wake people from their sleep as the individual has to sit up in bed and shake-out and/or rub the hands in order decrease these unpleasant feelings. In addition, activity can cause the hands to feel lumpish or weak, and fatigue easily. Eventually, grasping small objects using the thumb and fingers can be gravely affected and, without treatment, can result in complete debilitation of the hand.

Some accepted causes and associated conditions are:

* repetitive and forceful grasping with the hands

* prolonged computer usage especially with poor wrist position

* activities that require repetitive bending of the wrist

* broken or dislocated bones in the wrist which produce swelling

* arthritis, especially the rheumatoid type

* thyroid gland imbalance

* sugar diabetes

* hormonal changes associated with menopause or pregnancy

Though any of the causes and conditions listed can contribute to carpal tunnel Syndrome, often the actual root cannot be found. Nevertheless, those who work with equipment that vibrates and/or perform their jobs in extreme temperatures often develop carpal tunnel symptoms. Even household activities as simple as repetitive wringing clothes by hand can help cause this syndrome. However, the continuing increase in computer use is the most compelling explanation for the number of individuals who are suffering with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome today. This is becoming a major concern in the developed world where people of all ages are spending much of their time typing on a keyboard & clicking on a mouse.

Treatment

Proper diagnosis and management of this condition is essential in order to curtail the disabling symptoms associated with the advancement of CTS. I as, an Orlando chiropractor have many years of experience in this area. Chiropractors are well-trained in treating CTS. In addition to chiropractic adjustments of the wrist joints, treatment by chiropractor may include inflammation reduction therapy such as ultrasound or low level laser. Electromusclestim can often help to strengthen the weak muscles of the forearm and soft tissue massage is effective in stretching contracted tissues. Your chiropractor may suggest that you wear a splint or support, particularly at night, to help retain the wrist in a neutral position to decompress the carpal tunnel. Your Orlando Chiropractor will also give you specific exercises to stretch and/or strengthen muscles of the forearm and hand.
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Orlando Chiropractor Can Help With Ear Infections

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

Earache is the most common reason for office visits to pediatricians. By the age of three years, more than 70 percent of children will have had at least one episode of earache and about a third will have had more than three episodes. It is not surprising, therefore, that earache is also the most common reason for children under the age of five years presenting to the chiropractor’s office.

When a child with earache is diagnosed with middle ear infection by the pediatrician, the usual treatment involves a course of antibiotics. New research has determined that this is often misguided. The cause of the child’s middle ear infection may not be due to bacteria, and since antibiotics are only effective against bacterial pathogens, frequently there will be no response. Since numerous cases of middle ear infection can be caused by a virus, and viruses do not respond to antibiotics, this may be the reason why children develop chronic ear infections.

How Chiropractic Care Relates to Earache and Ear Infections

Your Orlando chiropractor’s task is to ascertain if the reason for the body’s inability to combat the earache/ear infection is caused by irritation of the small nerves in the spine (called free nerve endings).

When these nerve endings are irritated, an abnormal tension is produced in the small muscles of the neck. This muscle tension can place pressure on the lymphatic drainage ducts resulting in inadequate drainage from inside the ear, thus preventing the body from being able to naturally correct the problem. Balance can also be affected.

Identification of such a problem is made by detecting increased tension in the neck and paraspinal muscles, usually more tension is felt on the side of earache. The chiropractor also looks for spinal vertebrae which are either slightly out of alignment or are not moving within their normal range. This problem may have been due to any one of the number of bangs, jolts and falls that most children experience in the early years of their life. Often, a short course of spinal adjustment and manipulation of the neck muscles can help restore normal lymph drainage.

Research

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ear infection the most frequent childhood illness after the common cold – accounts for nearly 30 million doctor visits each year; what’s more, at least 6 million courses of antibiotics are unnecessarily prescribed for the condition. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines for treating pediatrie ear inflammation and specifically recommend a period of “watchful waiting” since, in many cases, infections clear up on their own, without medication; the guidelines suggest medical intervention only in cases that do not subside after three months or are particularly severe in nature.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) commends the AAP on the guidelines and emphasizes that chiropractic care is a “good first option” for treating ear infection conservatively. “Doctors of chiropractic have been treating children for decades with great success – helping them avoid painful ear infections, antibiotic overuse and resistance, and ear tube surgery,” said ACA President Donald Krippendorf, DC. “Particularly when dealing with young children, drugs and surgery should be an absolute last resort.”
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Chiropractic Orlando Style and Elbow Pain

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

Tennis elbow is the common name given to pain originating on the outside or lateral side of the elbow. This condition arises from an irritation or inflammation of the tendons of one or several forearm muscles at their attachment to the bony protuberance close to the elbow joint, known as the lateral epicondyle. Therefore the medical term for this condition is lateral epicondylitis, meaning an inflammation of the epicondyle. If the condition is located on the inside or medial side of the elbow it is often referred as Golfer’s Elbow or medial epicondylitis. This, however, is not as prevalent as lateral epicondylitis.

Causes

There are many causes for Epicondylitis – not just tennis & golf – as any activity that involves repetitive gripping of objects can result in this affliction. Some individuals develop tennis or golfer’s elbow from prolonged carrying of heavy bags, knitting, chopping food, and/or computer work using improper wrist and arm posture. With sports, the problem arises when we are new to the game, use an improper technique, try out new racquets or clubs, or increase the intensity or duration of exercise without the proper preparation.

Sometimes the condition can be so severe that it is difficult to even grip and lift one’s coffee cup!

Some cases involving epicondylitis can be attributed to problems further up the arm or even in the neck. If someone has a disc condition or spinal subluxation, the nerves that control the forearm muscles may become irritated causing the muscles to tense and put marked strain on the tendon attachment(s). In these circumstances, this predisposes an individual to elbow pain from any of the above mentioned causes. If left untreated it is possible that the joints of the elbow can become subluxated further and even arthritis can be a complication the condition.

Treatment

Epicondylitis is a condition that rarely resolves of its own accord and so requires proper health management. A qualified professional such as Your Orlando chiropractor can determine the exact cause of the problem and initiate the proper care and treatment. In my clinic this would include modalities such as ultrasound, electrotherapy, massage, hot and cold treatments, bracing and home stretching and exercises. chiropractic adjustments have proven extremely effective in the overall management of this problem.

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Your Orlando Chiropractor and Balance Problems

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

About 9 percent of adults age 65 and older report having problems with balance.

Good balance is essential to being able to control and maintain your body’s position while moving and remaining still. Good balance helps you:

• Walk without staggering

• Arise from chairs without falling

• Climb stairs without tripping

You need good balance to help you stay independent and carry out daily chores and activities. Problems with sense of balance are experienced by many people as they age.

A feeling like you or the things around you are spinning is called “vertigo.” About 40 percent of Americans will experience dizziness that is serious enough to go to a doctor, and among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths.

There are many types of balance disorders. Two types are:

1. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

2. labyrinthitis

The most common balance disorder is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo that occurs as a brief, intense feeling of vertigo when you change the position of your head. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is also experienced sometimes when rolling over to the left or right, upon getting out of bed in the morning, or when looking up for an object on a high shelf. This condition is more likely to occur in adults 60 and older, but also occurs in younger people.

The causes for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are varied. It may be caused by an inner ear infection, head injury or simply aging. While it can be associated with other disease processes, many times a simple Epleys procedure can many times correct the problem. If you are in the Orlando area, I’d be happy to evaluate you if not, see your local Chiropractor.

Labyrinthitis is an infection or inflammation of the inner ear causing dizziness and loss of balance. It affects adults of any age and the cause is unknown.

Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder that causes:

• vertigo

• hearing loss that comes and goes

• tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ears)

• full feeling in the ear

Treatment for balance disorders varies upon the cause, sometiems exercise for vestibular rehab can be the answer. Consult your health care professional if you experience dizziness, vertigo or other problems with balance. Older people are more likely to experience balance disorders. Age is not the only reason these problems occur.

While some balance disorders are caused by problems in the inner ear, others may involve another part of the body like the brain or the heart. Other factors include:

• aging

• infections

• head injury

• certain medicines

• problems with blood circulation

• upper respiratory infections

• viral infections

• stress

• fatigue

• allergies

• smoking

• alcohol use

• diseases of the circulatory system such as stroke can cause dizziness and other balance problems

• low blood pressure

• high blood pressure

• heart disease

To make the symptoms of dizziness less severe eat low-salt or salt-free foods and stay away from caffeine and alcohol. Balance disorders caused by high blood pressure can usually be managed by eating less sodium, maintaining a healthy weight and exercise.

Balance disorders are serious and one cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is important to have a possible balance disorder diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

If you can answer yes to any of the following questions you should discuss the symptom with your Chiropractor:

• Do I have the feeling of being “unsteady?”

• Does the room seem to spin around me?

• Is there ever a time when you feel as if you are moving when you know you are standing still?

• Do you lose your balance and fall?

• Do you feel as if you are falling?

• Does your vision ever become “blurred?”

• Do you ever feel disoriented lose a sense of time, place or identify?

Source: National Institute on Aging

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional

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Pregnancy and Orlando Chiropractic Treatment

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

Is it a good idea to get your spine checked while you are pregnant? Well first off, yes it is a great idea to get your spine checked while you are pregnant. As is obvious to anyone with a set of eyes, your body is going through quite a lot of changes as the pregnancy progresses. One change that goes basically unnoticed is your bodies increase production of the hormone elastin. This hormone is designed to relax the tendons in the pelvis. This relaxation allows the pelvis more flexibility during the birthing process to make delivering the baby easier.

This process, although designed to help the mother during labor, can create a lot of back pain and discomfort in the months leading up to the birth. The elastin is being released in increased amounts as the months go on which allows the pelvis to become increasingly more unstable. Add to that, the gradual increase in the size of the baby and uterus, and you have the recipe for severe low back pain. I currently have several pregnant patients coming into my office for symptoms associated with their pregnancy, but most commonly it is for their low back pain.

One side benefit of having your spine and pelvis checked by a Orlando chiropractor regularly during your pregnancy is that

it has been shown to actually decrease labor time. Why is that you ask? Simply put, if the pelvis is where it needs to be. The muscles contracting during the labor process are more efficient because they don’t have to fight past the misaligned joints.

To answer the second question from the introductory paragraph, yes it is safe. Not only can chiropractic help the pregnant mother with her low back pain and other associated symptoms (heart burn, nausea, swelling, etc.) but it is completely safe to both the mother and child. Certain trained Orlando chiropractors can also help mothers who have a breached baby. They do this by using the Webster Technique. This is a low force technique to manipulate the uterus and get the baby into the proper presentation for delivery. A simple Google search on the Webster Technique can give you much more information.

In summation, not only is chiropractic safe for pregnant women, it is also very beneficial to pregnant women in helping with the symptoms associated with their pregnancy. To any pregnant women out there reading this please go see your local chiropractor, or if you are close enough, look up my office in Orlando. We can make you quite a bit more comfortable in the months of your pregnancy and can even make the labor process easier.

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Chiropractor Orlando and Knee Pain

Friday, February 13th, 2009

Besides spinal conditions, knee pain and disability is one of the most common ailments of the musculoskeletal system. Problems with the knee can be classified into three categories: 1) poor mechanics or overuse of the knee joint, 2) traumatic injury from events such as sports and falls, and 3) problems due to arthritic changes in the joint. 4) faulty foot mechanics due to foot pain.

Patella Femoral Syndrome ( Knee Cap Pain )

Poor mechanics of the knee joint and the associated stress upon the soft tissues of the knee is by far the most common cause of non-traumatic pain. The most common part of the knee affected by this is the patella or knee-cap. Often the patella does not move smoothly or does not move sufficiently on the femur during bending of the knee causing abnormal stresses upon the tendons cartilage and ligaments. This condition is often called chondromalacia patella or CMP though a better term is patella femoral syndrome. The problem usually originates when there are imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh which attach to and move the patella.

The associated pain is experienced during activity, especially stair climbing, running, jumping and after getting up from prolonged sitting. Women are more predisposed to this problem for anatomical reasons and also the use of high heels.

Repetitive Knee Strain – Overuse Injury

Imbalances in other muscle groups that attach to the knee can also lead to pain and dysfunction. As an example, the muscles on the inside of the thigh when strained and tight can cause pain on the medial or inside side of the knee.

Lower back problems especially in the sacroiliac joints, are one of the main reasons for imbalances in the muscles associated with knee movement and subsequent knee problems. Foot problems that cause gait abnormalities such as pronation, are another cause of mechanical knee pain.

The main treatment for mechanical or overuse injuries to the knee is to re-establish proper balance of the muscles, restore proper movement to the patella and other joints of the knee, and correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and foot problems. In certain cases, a brace is used to help with the alignment of the patella or to stabilise the joint. Chiropractors are ideally trained to provide the proper diagnosis and management of these problems.

Trauma

Traumatic injuries often occur during sports that involve running and jumping, such as football and basketball, and with activities such as skiing. When the knee is stretched or twisted beyond the strength of the ligaments that hold the joint together, tearing of these tissues can occur causing a sprain. The muscles that move the knee can also be torn during injury causing a strain or pull of the muscle. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can vary from a minor injury that requires little care to a severe injury requiring surgery. The knee also contains two special “cartilages” – the menisci – between the tibia and the femur that provide for smooth movement and cushioning. These cartilages can also be torn during trauma and often require surgical repair or removal if damaged severely. Traumatic knee injuries can cause severe pain and swelling and require immediate evaluation and attention. In most cases a qualified chiropractor can manage these conditions, though there are some injuries that do need the expertise of an orthopaedic surgeon. In any case, it is important to stabilise the injured joint and ice if possible until you can get the injury evaluated. Please see the section on sports injuries for additional information regarding this topic.

Treatment

If poor mechanics or traumatic injuries are not corrected at an early age, the tissues of the knee joint especially the cartilage will eventually begin to wear out. As a result the bones rub upon one another and changes such as bone spurs can occur. This painful condition is known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis and is often progressive with age. Common treatment often involves medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) though conservative treatment such as chiropractic can be helpful in alleviating some of the pain. There is some evidence that nutritional substances such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin can be helpful in the long term management. People can often help themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises especially in the pool, and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.

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High Blood Pressure and Orlando Chiropractic

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

The newest research shows how you can lower blood pressure naturally. This is great news and the best news, I practice this particular technique. It’s called Toggle Recoil. Watch this clip from Good Morning America (it takes a few seconds to load) for more information. Also exercise is great for lowering stress levels, and that in turn will help lower your blood pressure.

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