- TMJ (temporomandibular joint
dysfunction)
- Neck/ back pain
- Headaches
- Fibromyalgia
- Sciatica
- Whiplash
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Chronic fatigue
1) TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction)
The root of this problem lies where the jaw
hinges at the skull. TMJ can develop from many causes ranging
from whiplash injuries, a direct blow, imbalances in body postures
due to lifestyle, or even dental malocclusion. TMJ can be quite
painful. Specific signs of TMJ are difficulty in chewing, pain
when talking, severe headaches and neck and shoulder pain.
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2) Neck/ back pain
These are the most common chiropractic complaints.
Most cases of neck and back pain are due to lifestyle and work
related activities. Many times people neglect to maintain proper
muscular tone, flexibility, and posture, which enable the body
to work at its maximum capacity. When the body is not performing
at its optimum level, the spine cannot move properly nor support
itself. This scenario causes the body to try to adapt and adjust
to this negative situation and can injure the moving segments
of the spine thus leading to pain and arthritis. As chiropractors,
it is our job to mobilize the spine in order to return it to its
proper alignment and then work to balance the muscles.
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3) Headaches
Headaches are usually a vascular problem
associated with the blood supply in the head. There can be many
reasons for this vascular insult such as: TMJ dysfunction, muscle
tension, misaligned cervical (neck) vertebra, PMS, allergies,
hormones, sugar imbalances, craino-sacral involvement, food sensitivities,
misaligned cranial (skull) bones, spinal imbalances, drug interactions,
lifestyle, and stress. Our physicians can differentiate between
these problems and treat the headache accordingly.
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4) Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized
by widespread musculoskeletal pain and tenderness at specified
sites, fatigue, and unsatisfying sleep. It is a syndrome, not
a disease. It has a number of causes or contributing factors,
not one clear-cut cause. Diagnosis is made on the basis of having
at least 11 out of 18 specific points on the body tender to the
touch. Fibromyalgia is found primarily in women ages 25-50. Medical
treatment may relieve the symptoms temporarily, but when experiencing
stress, the symptoms usually return. At Sunshine Chiropractic
Clinic we have devised a unique treatment approach which incorporates
standard chiropractic manipulation with a specific protocol developed
by Dr. Barry Sunshine. Our success has literally been remarkable.
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5) Sciatica
This is an inflamed sciatic nerve caused by
pressure at the root or nerve pathway. The sciatic nerve is the
largest nerve in the body. From the spinal cord, it exits from
between the lower two lumbar and sacral vertebrae, travels beneath
the buttock and down the leg to the foot. The symptoms include;
1) Shooting pain down the leg
2) Numbness through the leg or foot
3) Ache in the leg, foot, or buttock
4) Loss of muscle strength and coordination
These symptoms can be exacerbated by sitting(
most common), standing, lying down, or transitioning from any
one or a combination of these positions. Treatment begins with
mobilizing the spine and reducing the inflammation on the nerve
root or nerve pathway. This is accomplished by chiropractic spinal
manipulation, physiotherapy, ice and lumbar traction. Once the
symptoms and inflammation are reduced, the patient is instructed
on proper stretching and spinal stabilization exercises. This
will improve the patient's outcome and help in reduction of future
re-injuries.
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5) Whiplash
This is most commonly associated with automobile
accidents, but can occur in other injuries. The reason this type
of injury is termed whip-lash is because of the action which mimics
a whipping action. The technical definition explains it better,
a cervical acceleration deceleration injury. This is when the
neck is first accelerated backward on impact. This causes a tractioning
of the neck muscle and ligaments, possibly causing a strain (tearing
of the muscles and tendons) or sprain (tearing of the ligaments)
in the front of the neck also compressing the discs towards the
back of the neck. During this acceleration phase, the mouth drops
open beyond its normal opening distance resulting in possible
strain and sprain of the jaw (TMJ). Next, the seat belt causes
a sudden deceleration of the body whipping the neck forward at
an accelerated rate causing possible strain and sprain of the
back of the neck and upper back and compression of the discs towards
the front of the neck. The resulting injuries leave the neck unstable,
restricted in range of motion, painful to the touch or on movement,
fatigued and other possible involvements include; arm and shoulder
pain, loss of sensation, headaches, and general fatigue. Treatment
is first to reduce swelling and inflammation. Second, mobilize
the spine through chiropractic spinal manipulation, physiotherapy,
and stretching. Third, stabilize spine by performing spinal stabilization
exercises while maintaining motion in spine.
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6) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This problem is becoming more rampant with
the many jobs requiring repetitive movements of the wrist and
hand. Jobs such as typing, assembly line work, etc. The carpal
tunnel is a tunnel that connects the forearm to the wrist and
hand. This tunnel is composed of the two bones of the forearm
(radius and ulna), the ceiling and the floor are made up of tendons
and ligaments. These tendons and ligaments are innervated by nerves
that leave the neck and travel to the hand. If there is interference
with these nerves, the muscles around the wrist and hand do not
function properly. This makes the wrist and hand more vulnerable
to the stress and strain from everyday activities. When these
activities are repetitive and excessive the radius and the ulna
become unstable causing them to separate allowing the ceiling
to drop. This pinches on the median nerve, which travels through
the carpal tunnel. The symptoms can be numbness, pain, weakness
in grip strength, and loss of coordination. If carpal tunnel syndrome
is allowed to progress, it can result in permanent nerve damage
and the loss of usage of the hand. Treatment for carpal tunnel
syndrome starts with a supportive brace for the wrist to slow
the irritation on the nerve. The next step is to correct the interference
to the nerves that innervate the wrist and hand. This is accomplished
by spinal manipulation of the neck and wrist . When the inflammation
has decreased and the pain starts to decrease, the patient is
instructed on stabilization exercises. The muscles of the wrist
and hand must be balanced and strengthened or the carpal tunnel
syndrome will return and the next time it will be worse.
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7) Chronic fatigue
Clinically evaluated, unexplained persistent
or relapsing chronic fatigue that is of new or definite onset,
is not the result of ongoing exertion, is not substantially alleviated
by rest, and results in substantial reduction in previous levels
of occupational, educational, social or personal activities.
The concurrent occurrence of four or more
of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term
memory or concentration; sore throat; tender lymph nodes; muscle
pain; multijoint pain without joint swelling or redness; headaches
of a new type, pattern, or severity; nonrefreshing sleep; and
postexertional malaise lasting more than twenty-four hours. These
symptoms must have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive
months of illness and must not have predated the fatigue.
Source: Center for Disease Control
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