Musculoskeletal Pain

Back Pain

Years of abusing your body can result in back pain. Poor posture, improper lifting and the lack of body conditioning make the back prone to injury. The lower back is particularly vulnerable and the dysfunction of its major joints can lead to painful results. Other pain-sensitive structures can be stretched, torn and distorted.

Back problems can be caused by an extraordinarily wide range of problems – some of them originating elsewhere in the body, but with pain being transmitted (referred) to areas of the back by the nervous system. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention. It is the symptom that prompts most patients who get chiropractic care. The majority of backache sufferers complain of pain in the lower back; the second most common site of discomfort is the base of the neck.

Virtually all human beings are subject to back problems. The fact that humans walk upright, on two legs, puts great pressure on the spine and muscles that support it. Over time, back pain is all but inevitable. Normal wear and tear, accidents, disease, and such bad "back habits" as unnecessary strain from overexertion at play or work (especially lifting, pushing, pulling, and reaching for things improperly), and poor standing and sitting posture result in both immediate and long-term back problems.

What can chiropractic do for back pain?

Chiropractors successfully treat spinal fixations (a complex of functional and/or structural changes in joints, which can interfere with nerve transmission, disturb other organ systems and undermine general health). Spinal fixations may have symptoms localized in some part of the back or may radiate down to the buttocks, thighs and legs. Chiropractors also treat tension that can show up as backaches and/or headaches or pains elsewhere in the body.

Doctors of chiropractic draw upon a wealth of knowledge and experience with treating and preventing back pain and back injuries. Soothing and pain-reducing spinal adjustments have been developed over the last century, during which chiropractors have practiced, improved and refined their techniques.

The chiropractic approach is similar to the clinical practice guidelines of the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. That is, doctors of chiropractic not only treat the pain, they try to keep patients engaged in their normal activities rather than resting immobile in bed, which can actually cause further debilitation. And, of course, chiropractors do not rely on surgery, hospitalization and medication that can be both dangerous and needlessly costly for patients and their insurance providers.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine characterized by a rotational side-to-side deformity. In simple terms, what this means is that the spine is twisted side-to-side, often taking on an "S" shaped appearance and even resembling a corkscrew.

Almost three out of every 100 people have a degree of abnormal spinal curvature, and for others it never becomes a serious problem. But for many others, the curve gets worse over time and can cause considerable back pain, frustration, and limitations on normal activities. Severe scoliosis can even complicate breathing and circulation.

Who suffers from scoliosis?

The most common form of scoliosis is called idiopathic scoliosis, which means that the cause is unknown. Anyone can suffer from scoliosis; the condition usually begins in childhood, although too often it is not identified until the teenage years or later.

Scoliosis tends to run in families, and it affects many more girls. In fact, research indicates that girls are nearly eight times more likely to have scoliosis and five times more likely to require treatment for their condition, and the curvature of their spine in most cases will worsen over time, if left unattended.

What are the symptoms of scoliosis?

Sometimes curvature of the spine is visible (the body tilts to the left or the right, or one shoulder blade is raised higher than the other. The actual physical symptoms of scoliosis can include back pain, fatigue (especially postural fatigue -- feeling tired when standing, sitting, etc.), and in more severe cases, problems with circulation and breathing.

What can chiropractic do?

Doctors of chiropractic are trained to identify and manage problems relating to the spine and the back. An initial visit to the chiropractor will include a thorough physical and diagnostic examination (including range-of-motion tests and spinal x-rays) to identify any problems you may be having, including whether you or your children may be suffering from abnormal or dangerous curvature of the spine. ??If you do show signs of scoliosis, your chiropractor can provide a variety of techniques to help your condition, including spinal adjustments to increase movement and biomechanical function, and advice on posture and exercise to help prevent further increase in the problem.

Neck Pain

Your neck protects your spinal cord and spinal nerves, while supporting and balancing the weight of your head. Neck pain is a result of poor posture, wear and tear, or injury. Stress and tension can strain vital parts of your neck. Stress on the natural curve of your spine can cause painful problems.

Can Chiropractic care help my Neck Pain?

Your doctor of chiropractic looks at your overall health, focusing not only on your neck, but also on your lifestyle, such as diet and amount of daily exercise. To identify the cause of your problem, you and your chiropractor will discuss your symptoms and previous injuries, your family health history, and your lifestyle, including recreational and work related physical activities.

Chiropractic Care for Neck pain

Your doctor of chiropractic is uniquely qualified to restore the health of your spine and neck. Special chiropractic techniques may relieve the pressure that is causing your neck pain. After locating the misaligned vertebrae in your neck, your chiropractor applies gentle pressure and repositions the vertebrae. These adjustments can restore alignment, improve mobility, and relieve pain and stiffness.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The emergence of computer keyboards brought carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to national prominence. In fact, any activity that constantly strains the wrist, from guitar playing to rowing, from assembly line work to knitting, can bring it on. Sometimes, however, carpal tunnel syndrome can begin without any apparent cause at all. ??Carpal tunnel syndrome usually starts as repeated local irritations swell the tendons and ligaments in the wrist. This then compresses the median nerve, which passes through a "tunnel" from the forearm to the hand. The combination of the inflamed tendons and the squeezed median nerve are responsible for the pain, tingling, numbness and weakness of the thumb and index and middle fingers characteristic of CTS. In addition, any of the following have been associated with this painful condition: an underactive thyroid, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), birth control pills, and menopause. ??Although conventional medicine can be very helpful, we believe one of its options, namely surgery, should be the last resort. As many physicians are unaware of alternative therapies, let's see if Wellness Ontario can help keep you out of the operating room. No guarantees, of course, but nothing ventured . . .?

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder of the wrist and hand that affects some 5 million Americans. Carpal tunnel refers to a passageway in the wrist, composed of bones and ligaments, through which a major nerve system passes from the forearm into the hand.

For a variety of reasons--repetitive strain, arthritis, bone dislocation or fracture, fluid retention, or a variety of systemic changes affecting the entire body, such as diabetes--the carpal tunnel can become narrowed. When this occurs, the median nerve, which controls feeling and movement in the hand, is compressed by surrounding tissue or excess fluid. As the nerve is constricted, it causes numbness, weakness, or pain. Often affecting the dominant hand (though possible in both hands), these symptoms may appear suddenly or gradually, and may last for only a few days at a time or persist for several months.

Women are far more susceptible than men are to carpal tunnel syndrome, in large part because more women perform the types of hand-intensive tasks (especially typing on computer keyboards) that put them at risk. The condition is also common among overweight women between ages 30 and 60 who have been pregnant. The sooner carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat--and the better the prognosis. Left untreated, however, the condition can lead to a weakened grip and severe chronic pain in the forearm or shoulder.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is often considered a modern-day ailment, a stress injury caused by too many tense hours spent at a keyboard. In fact, it was first diagnosed in the 1880s, long before computers reigned, and its rise has been attributed to several factors, including:

  • Prolonged repeated movements of the hands or fingers or bending of the wrist.
  • Injury or trauma that causes nerve damage in the wrist.
  • Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, birth control pills or menopause.
  • Diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, or Raynaud's disease.

Treatment and Prevention

For carpal tunnel, acting quickly at the first hint of a symptom can often head off a full-blown irritation. The natural position of the working hand is with the wrist held straight or slightly bent and the thumb in a continuous line with the forearm. Using your hand with the wrist bent, either forward or back, places a stress on the nerves as they pass through the carpal tunnel. So to prevent CTS, your best bet is learning to work with your wrist and hand held straight.

If you must perform repetitive movements, like those required by a keyboard, take a break every hour and exercise both your hands and your wrists. In addition, always adjust the height of your chair until you're positioned with your wrists in a straight line.

Conventional treatment usually begins with recommendations for rest, cold compresses, and wrist splints. The splints are usually worn for two to three weeks--especially at night when you may bend your wrist in your sleep. At the workplace, a good wrist splint allows you to continue your usual hand-related tasks. However, you may just have to discontinue certain troublesome actions for a week or two in order to allow time for the swelling to go down.

It's always a wise strategy to try a three- to six-month trial of noninvasive therapies before you think seriously about undergoing surgery. Actually, you might consider one of the manipulative therapies, such as osteopathy or chiropractic, well before considering surgery. You've basically got a mechanical problem, i.e., a compressed nerve due to some local swelling.

Gentle manipulation of the bones and soft tissue of the wrist by a health-care provider trained in the appropriate techniques may actually shift the fluids responsible for the swelling and release the entrapped nerve. Although such treatment may take several visits, you can really tell if you're heading in the right direction because your pain should lessen and your grip strength should improve.

Headaches

Nerve irritation is the leading cause of headache pain for many sufferers. Are you tired of taking medication for headache pain that does not go away? Find out how many Canadians are finding a more permanent solution for their headache pain naturally.

There are an estimated 4.5 million Canadians that suffer from severe, recurring attacks of migraine and tension headaches. They spend upwards of $40 million each year on over-the-counter and prescription drugs in their search of permanent relief. For some, the medication works. Unfortunately for many the relief obtained is temporary at best. A cycle of headaches and medication often occurs without any lasting relief found. If you think this describes your pain then there is good news for you.

Recent studies link headache pain to nerve irritation. One study, conducted at the University of Maryland, found a connection between muscle tension at the base of the neck and headaches. Muscle contractions interfere with the sensitive fibers at the base of the neck that lead to the brain and spinal cord. This muscle tension often plays a contributing factor to headache pain. Another study conducted by Dr. Wright found that the vast majority of migraine headache sufferers have misalignments of the spinal vertebrae in the neck that place pressure on the spinal nerves.

Chiropractic treatment of headaches is two-fold:

Remove pressure on the nerves caused by spinal misalignments. ?Reduce tension in the neck muscles to minimize nerve pressure due to tight muscles. This strategy works for many headache sufferers, not only in our office but also in several studies. One such study, conducted by the government of New Zealand found that the majority of people who suffered from spinal misalignments experienced headache relief or their condition improved through chiropractic care. And in follow-up studies of the same patients it was found that many were still without recurring headache pain two years later. ??Of course, not all headaches can be helped with chiropractic care. But, if you suffer from persistent migraine or tension headaches you owe it to yourself to come to the office for an exam and consultation. If Dr. Beitel cannot help you she will tell you, and she can refer you to another health care professional that can help.