We Care Chiropractic Blog

Lower Back Pain Relief

If you’re searching for “lower back pain relief” maybe you forgot the correct way to go about lifting something that was very heavy. There is also the possibility that it a degenerative disease, such as arthritis. No matter what the cause is, after the onset of lower back pain, it is difficult to shake it off.

Furthermore, there is approximately one out of every four Americans who has complained of having bouts of lower back pain. In fact, nearly everyone at one point or another, is going to experience back pain during their life time.

Occasionally, it is obviously serious, especially if you were injured, and your legs are feeling weak, numb, and/or they are tingling. Then it is time to call the doctor.

Lower Back Pain Prevention & Treatment

Some lower back pain is a way of life for many Americans but there are things that patients can do to minimize or alleviate a good portion of the discomfort. Read through some of these great ways to prevent, reduce, and remove lower back pain from your life.

Put it on ice:

“During the 24 to 48 hours after an injury, putting ice on it would be the best thing as it is going to help in reducing inflammation,” according to E. Anne Reicherter, PhD, PT, DPT, and associate professor in the Physical Therapy department of the University of Maryland, School of Medicine. “Something warm will feel good to the injury, however, this is merely covering up the pain and is not doing anything for the swelling, nor does it help to relax the muscles. In fact, heat will actually increase the inflammatory process,” she says. If after 48 hours, you are wanting to begin using heat on the injury that will be fine,” claims Reicherter. She went on to say, “Regardless of which you are using, heat or ice, it should be removed every twenty minutes for the skin to breath (rest). Should the pain continue to pe4rsist, speak with your doctor.”

Keep it moving:

“Our body was designed to be able to move, and so was our spines,” says Reicherter. You need to continue with your daily activities. Things such as, making our beds, going to work, and walking the dog. After you began to feel better, start taking up regular aerobic exercises, such as bicycling, swimming, and even walking, which will help to keep your back and the rest of your body more mobile. Of course, you do not want to overdo it. Never try to run in a marathon at times when your back is hurting.

Continue being strong:

As soon as your lower back pain has stopped hurting, you can begin keeping future episodes from flare-ups by working those muscles in the lower back, those back extensor muscles included. “These help in maintaining a proper posture and alignment in the spine,” says Reicherter. When you keep your hips, pelvic, and abdominal muscles strong, it will give your back more support. However, you should avoid abdominal crunches, as they will actually put more strain on your back.

Stretch regularly:

Being slump in your desk chair all day is a bad thing. Be sure to get up and move about every 20 minutes or so throughout the day. “This is because the majority of us have a lot of bending forward during our work, and that makes it significant to take the time to stand-up, stretch backwards some during our daily routines,” says Reicherter. Also, do not forget about stretching those legs as well. Many people find that regular stretching, such as with yoga helps.

Think ergonomically:

Make sure that your work space is set-up so that hunching forward will not be an issue, for instance, reaching for your computer monitor and/or your mouse. Always use a chair at your desk that fits the lower part of your back and make sure you place your feet firmly on the floor.

Control your posture:

When you slump, it is harder for the back to be able to support your weight. Pay close attention at times you are lifting heavy items. You should never bend from your waist, for the proper way is to bend from the knees.

Give heels a break:

Turn in those heels for shoes that are flat, they should not be more than one inch in height. High heels create an unstable posture, while increasing the pressure on the lower spine.

Kick the habit:

If you smoke, it can most certainly put you at more of a risk to get osteoporosis in your spine, as well as other problems with the bones. Having osteoporosis can do damage to compression fractions in the spine. Recently, research has found that smokers have more of a chance to get lower back pain as compared to non-smokers.

Keep your weight under control:

It is important to keep your weight in a healthy range for your height. There is too much stress place on the spine when your overweight.

Use over the counter pain relief medications:

Aspirin and ibuprofen, such as Advil, Nuprin, Motrin, and naproxen sodium, which is Aleve, Naprosyn, and Anaprox, are anti-inflammatory medicines and they can all be helpful in reducing back pain. Another over the counter option that helps the management of back pain is acetaminophen, which include Actamin, Tylenol, and Panadol. Always check with a doctor or pharmacist regarding the interactions of over the counter pain relief medications when taken with any medicines you are on. There are some people who have to take certain medications for medical conditions like ulcers, liver diseases, and kidney disease which need to avoid certain other medications.

The doctor should be called if:

If you have lower back pain that is severe and after several days it has not went away, or should it hurt even when you are laying down resting.
Your legs become weak or have numbness in them, or it is a problem to stand and walk.
Should you lose control of your bowels and/or bladder.

All of these could be potential signs of a nerve condition or it could be an underlying medical condition which needs to get treated by a doctor.

Phoenix Valley Chiropractic Care

If you have persistent lower back pain, have been in an accident, or injured while working or playing sports We Care Chiropractic of Glendale Arizona is here to help. We know living with back pain is a constant distraction. The aching, pain, tightness, and limited mobility prevents people from getting work done and enjoying free time.

Contact our caring team to find out more about how you can schedule treatment for lower back pain or ask questions by calling (623) 825-4444.

What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?

If you’re searching “What is degenerative disc disease?” you or someone you care about is experiencing neck or back pain. Understanding the causes and treatment for this disorder helps cope with and manage it.

DDD or Degenerative Disc Disease is the breakdown of spinal intervertebral discs which occurs naturally. Despite the name, DDD isn’t considered a disease and it isn’t progressively degenerative. Disc degeneration is often the effect of daily stresses and minor injuries that causes your spinal discs to lose water gradually as the rigid outer shell called Annulus weakens. Whenever the discs begin to weaken and start to lose water, they start to collapse. This causes pressure on the nerves in your spinal column which causes weakness and pain.

Pain & Quality Of Life

Although DDD isn’t always symptomatic, it can cause chronic or acute lower back or neck pain as well as nerve pain depending on the location that the affected disc is in and how much pressure it has placed on nerve roots.

Normal radiographic findings for DDD are often vacuum disc, osteophyte formation, end plate sclerosis, black discs, and disc space narrowing.

DDD can also affect your quality of life. Disc degeneration is a disease of macro/micro trauma as well as aging, although for many people it isn’t an issue, but for some it can cause chronic pain that is quite severe if it isn’t treated.

The term for DDD is a misnomer because it isn’t a disease or degenerative. It isn’t a disease because the degenerative changes within the spine are common and natural for the general population.

Disc Health & Water Loss

In your spine, there is a disc between each vertebra. A well-hydrated, healthy disc will have a lot of water in its center called the nucleus pulposus, which cushions and flexes for the spine. Much of the stress caused by daily movements is transferred to these discs and the water allows them to absorb the shock. At birth the nucleus pulposus has 80% water. But as we age, minor injuries and natural daily stresses cause the discs to lose water as annulus weakens.

The water loss causes the discs to be less flexible and causes the narrowing and collapse of the gaps in the spinal column. While the space that is between the vertebrae will start to get smaller, and this puts extra pressure on the discs which cause tiny tears and cracks to happen to the annulus. If there is enough pressure, it could cause a herniated disc.

As the vertebrae below and above the affected disc collapse, the facet joints on the back of the spine can shift which affects their function.

The Body’s Reaction To DDD

The body may react to the closing gap by creating a bone spur around the space to stop excess motion. This can cause issues if the spurs start to grow into the spinal canal and begin to put pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots which will cause pain and affect nerve functions. It is called spinal stenosis.

For women, there is evidence that estrogen loss is associated with lumbar disc degeneration, which happens during the first 15 years of loss. The role of sex hormones in skeletal disorders are being discussed for both genders.

Symptoms and Signs

DDD can cause upper neck and lower back pain, but this isn’t always the case. The amount of degeneration doesn’t tell how much pain a patient has. Most people will have no pain while others with the same amount of damage could have chronic and severe pain. Pain will depend on where the affected disc is and how much pressure is being put on the spinal column and nerve roots.

DDD is a common source of back pain and will affect 30 million people each year. Symptomatic DDD will have varying locations of pain based on the disc location. If the disc is in the lower back, it could cause lower back pain, sometimes hip pain and pain in the legs, thighs, and buttocks. If the pressure is on the nerves, there could be weakness or tingling in the knees and legs.

A degenerative disc in the upper neck can cause pain in the hands, neck, shoulders and arm. If there are nerve issues it could cause tingling in the fingers.

The pain is often felt or becomes worse with movement like twisting, sitting, lifting and bending.

After an injury, some discs may cause pain due to inflammation and the pain will come and go. Some will have nerve endings that go deeper in the annulus than others, which make it more likely for pain to happen. Healing the trauma to the annulus may cause scar tissue and pain from the disc as the nerves become inflamed. DDD can cause a debilitating condition that may have a negative impact on your life. When pain from DDD is severe, traditional treatments are ineffective.

Mechanisms

Degenerative discs may show degenerative fibrocartilage as well as clusters of chondrocytes, which is a sign of repair. Inflammation may be present as well. Anexamination of disc fragments for DDD is common to ensure it isn’t cancerous.

Fibrocartilage will replace the mucoid material of the disc which changes with age. There may also be splits within the annulus, which causes herniation. There may also be disc shrinkage that causes folding or prolapse of the annulus that causes secondary osteophyte formations. Findings of DDD include spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, protrusion and/or subluxation of the vertebrae.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of DDD will consist of looking at your medical history, physical exam to find poor range of motion, muscle weakness and tenderness as well as MRI to confirm and rule out other causes.

Treatment

Often DDD can be treated without surgery. A combination of treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, traction, or steroid injections may give relief without causes symptoms.

Surgery may be needed if regular treatments aren’t working within a few months. If back or leg pain limits your daily activities, if there is numbness or weakness in your legs, if it is hard to stand or walk, or if the physical therapy or medication isn’t working, then surgery may be needed which is often a spinal fusion. There are multiple surgical options of DDD.

The most common treatments are:

Cervical corpectomy: This removes part of the vertebra and intervertebral discs to decompress the cervical spinal cord and nerves. A bone graft and possibly a metal plate and screws to stabilize the spine.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and fusion: This uses a small incision in the front of the neck to reach the cervical spine. The intervertebral disc is removed and replaced with a plug of bone, and it will over time fuse the vertebrae.
Foraminotomy: This enlarges the vertebral foramen to help increase the nerve pathway.
Facetectomy: This removes part of the facet to create space.
Dynamic stabilization: This is done after a discectomy where a stabilization implant is put in. This can be with pedicle screws or a wall ligament. These devices take pressure from the disc by rerouting the pressure. Similar to fusion, the implants allow mobility by allowing extension and flexibility.
Laminotomy: This removes a small part of the lamina to relieve pressure on nerve roots.
Laminoplasty: This allows the spinal canal to be reconstructed to make room for the spinal cord.
Intervertebral disc annuloplasty: This heats the disc for 15 minutes at high temperatures to seal the disc and kill nerves that are irritated by degeneration.
Spinal decompression: This a simple procedure that enlarges the IVF for a few hours by causing rehydration of spinal discs.
Intervertebral disc arthroplasty: Artificial disc replacement or total replacement is a procedure that replaces discs with artificial discs in the spinal column.
Microdiscectomy: Part of the herniated disc is removed.
Spinal laminectomy: This treats spinal stenosis by relieving pressure. Part of the lamina is trimmed or removed to widen the spinal canal to create room for spinal nerves.
Percutaneous disc decompression: This eliminates or reduces a small part of a bulging disc by using a needle.
Chiropractic treatments: Chiropractors can help ease pain and manage symptoms of your degenerative disk disease.

New Treatments For Degenerative Disc Disease

There are new treatments that are coming out still in clinical trials. Glucosamine injections may give some pain relief without causing more aggressive treatments. In the United States alone, artificial disc replacement is viewed as an alternative to fusion in certain patients, yet in Europe it is more widely used, where multilevel disc replacement is quite common. Stem cell therapies for adults are still being developed.

Do I Need A Chiropractor Or Just a Massage?

Are you wondering “Do I Need A Chiropractor” because you have bad paid in your body, back or neck? If so, this guide should help you figure out which type of treatment is best for the specific type of pain your experiencing.

The human body is an intricate and delicate mechanism, and it hurts when it breaks down. When this happens, you need to diagnose the symptoms and seek treatment, be it chiropractic treatment, medicine, or a massage. The best treatment would be determined by the problem you’re facing, the extent of it, and your preference. If you prefer all-natural treatments over medicinal treatment, you could choose between chiropractic adjustment and massage therapy. Both treatments take different approaches to facilitating your nervous system to heal, and both work with the goal of restoring your wellness and health.

Type of Pain and Patient’s Need

We’ve all experienced or will experience at some point, pain in hard tissue like the joints and spine, or in soft tissue likes ligaments and muscles.Both sudden pains caused by accidents or injuries and chronic pains rooted in day to day habits disturb the musculoskeletal system in your body. Tissue damage within your body can cause you to loose mobility or limit it, and both chiropractic and massage therapies work well in restoring this.

For individuals that prefer a drug-free treatment, both massage therapy and chiropractic care hold similar appeal and may be difficult to choose one over the other. In such a situation, the extent of the pain, its severity, and the patients insurance options and medical history must be considered to choose the most suitable treatment.

Massage Therapy

This is best for muscular pain and other muscular issues like spasms, tension in overworked muscles, and muscular strains. Massage therapy is considered by many to be a luxury treatment designed to pamper your body, however it is far from it. The therapy has medical properties that aid in managing pain and boost recovery.

By manipulating muscles and soft tissue, massage has a positive impact on your nervous system as well. Massaging the muscles stimulates healthy flow of energy and fluids and massaging soft tissue in the back can help align the spine.

Massage therapists, however, are not licensed to adjust joints and spine or prescribe medicines for the purpose like chiropractors can, but they can suggest homeopathic remedies in addition to the massage therapy they are providing.There are a number of massage therapies that exist today ranging from Swedish and deep tissue massages to trigger point and cranial sacral therapies.All these massage therapies promise benefits like:

Boosting the Immune System
Rejuvenating the Skin
Increasing the Flow of Blood
Reducing Anxiety
Aiding athletes, cancer patients, and expectant mothers with healing properties

When Do You Need a Chiropractor?

If you are suffering from disorders of the nervous system or musculoskeletal disorders, you should consider chiropractic care. Where massage therapy targets muscles and soft tissue, chiropractic care targets hard tissue like the joints and spine. Chiropractors are trained and licensed to realign the spine and prescribe medicine as well as therapeutic exercise; they may often massage as well in their treatment.Common back and neck pains are often resolved by spinal adjustment and manipulation during the course of the treatment. Other ailments that chiropractic care effectively resolves include:

Pain in the joints
Headaches
Infections in the ear
Tendonitis
Tension
Acute sleeplessness

Chiropractors also hold authority to order medical tests like blood work and x-rays, and can also diagnose medical conditions.

A Combination of the Two Treatments

Rather than choosing one over the other, you may also want to consider receiving both treatments side-by-side to target chronic pain and other muscular conditions. For this reason, many if not all chiropractors will often start their treatment with massage therapy to warm up the body before the adjustment. Massaging the muscles before the adjustment releases the tension within them, allowing for the adjustments to last longer as tightened muscles also mis-align the joints. Aligning the joints through chiropractic treatment, in turn, encourages quicker healing in soft tissue. It can be said that the two treatment complement one another.

Whether you’re choosing one over the other or a combination of both, it should be noted that results take time, and you should not expect all your issues to be resolved in one appointment. It is advisable to complete the care plan that your therapist designs for you.

Glendale Chiropractor Treatment

If you need chiropractic treatment in Glendale We Care Chiropractic offers the care that returns you to a better quality of life. Our chiropractic services are a great resource for many people who have problems associated with back pain, migraines, whiplash, and all sorts of disorders and accidents.

Call Today – 623-825-4444

Chiropractor FAQ Glendale, AZ

People in Glendale Arizona have headaches, back pain, whiplash, and all sorts of reasons that they can benefit from chiropractic treatment. Patients also naturally have questions that need to be answered to better understand treatment. This Chiropractor FAQ for Glendale, AZ should help answer these questions.

Q: What can a chiropractor treat?

A: Chiropractic Doctors (DCs) can care for any age group of patients with a variety of health conditions. Known best for their expertise in neck pain, headaches, and back pain, DCs are highly skilled in chiropractic adjustments. They also deal with a wide range of musculoskeletal system disorders and injuries involving joints, ligaments, and muscles in patients that can cause severe pain and discomfort. Causing an impact to the nervous system, these painful conditions also cause referred pain as well as dysfunction to the region of the injury. DCs also consult and counsel patients on general health issues as well. Our body structure affects the normal functions overall, because of this they assist with nutrition, dieting, healthier habits, exercise, and lifestyle modifications.

Q: How do I find a chiropractic doctor?

A: The best way is to do a search online by inserting the city and Chiropractor into the search bar. You can also find a doctor of chiropractic by being referred to one by a friend, colleague, family member, or another doctor. You can use different methods in general for contacting a doctor of chiropractic such as phone books, internet searches and websites, referrals, or walk-ins if you are already aware of a licensed chiropractic office.

Q: Is it safe to undergo treatment from a chiropractor?

The risk you will find for chiropractic treatment are minimal. Chiropractic treatment is notably recognized as one of the safest non-invasive, drug free methods for neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Some side effects of the treatment can be mild soreness, aching, or stiffness afterwards. This is also found in basic exercise. The research done on these effects show that the soreness and discomfort that follow after spinal manipulation general fades within the time frame of 24 hours.

Cervical manipulation, otherwise known as neck adjustment, is used to treat neck pain and some headaches. It helps improve the neck’s joint mobility, which helps with range of motion while reducing spasms of muscles. When performed by a professional chiropractor, the procedure is safe and can help relieve pressure and tension.

A few reports have related high-speed upper neck control with a specific uncommon sort of stroke, or vertebral supply route analyzation. In any case, evidence recommends that this kind of injury in the arteries frequently happens suddenly in patients who have previous diseases in the arteries. These analyzations have been related to ordinary activities in our day to day life, for example, turning your head while driving, swimming, or shampooing in a hair salon. Patients with this condition may encounter neck torment and headaches that lead them to look for expert care. However, the care sought out is not the cause of these issues. It is extremely rare for a neck adjustment to be the cause of injuries in the arteries. Studies show that only 1-3 cases in 100,000 patients suffer any kind of arterial issues associated with neck manipulation.

While looking at any risks involved with the treatment offered by DCs, it is important to also consider the risks involved with alternative treatments for the same conditions. For example, over the counter medicine offered for the treatment of musuloskeletal pain, as well as prescribed NSAIDS (Non-Steroid Anti-inflammatory Drugs) and painkillers hold a significantly increased risk for side effects that are also found to be more severe. Especially when compared to the risks of any complications from spinal manipulation.

The American Journal of Gastroenterology states that people who take NSAIDS are at a higher risk of developing adverse gastrointestinal issues such as perforation and hemorrhaging by three times as opposed to those who do not take NSAIDS. That risk is increased in people of the age 6+ by five times.

With that in mind, the CDC has reported that abuse of a growing number of powerful prescriptions such as hydrocodone and oxycodone has tripled in the last twelve years. These same painkiller abuses are also found to be leading causes of accidental deaths in the United States. Responsible for 15,000 deaths per year, overdoses of opioids are statistically greater than deaths from heroin and cocaine combined.

The extensive training that professional doctors of chiropractics undergo not only allow them to perform these treatments and adjustments with safety, but also help them identify special risk factors in patients. Chiropractors are train professionals that offer the most appropriate treatments even if it requires a referral to specialists for other medical conditions.

Q: Do you need an MD to refer you for chiropractic treatment?

A: To seek out treatment from a DC doesn’t normally require the referral from a medical doctor (MD). That being said, it is recommended to contact your employer or HIP (Health Insurance Provider) to check on any referral requirements. Most of the insurance plans allow you to call and set an appointment as needed with a DC, however, it is never a bad idea to double check your plan prior to doing this.

Q: Is it appropriate for a child to seek chiropractic treatment?

A: Chiropractic care is a highly skilled treatment, that can also be very gentle for children, because it adapts to the individual patient. Children naturally exercise more than adults, experiencing many blows or falls from activities and sports. There are several benefits for children to undergo chiropractic care. They too suffer from symptoms of neck and back pain, soreness and discomfort, and stiffness.

Q: Are doctors of chiropractic’s able to use medical outpatient facilities, or practice in hospitals?

A: Privileges for hospital practice were first granted in 1983. Chiropractors are known to use outpatient facilities such as x-rays, labs, etc. for non-hospitalized patients. They have also been recognized to admit and treat in hospitals as needed also.

Q: Will chiropractic treatments be covered by insurance?

A: Many major health insurance plans cover chiropractic care, even Medicare and Medicaid plans recognize it. Among the list of covering providers, Blue cross Blue Shield, and workers’ compensation. Active-duty members of the armed forces, as well as veterans, find chiropractic care available to them at more than 60 federal bases and medical facilities.

Q: What training/education do chiropractors undergo?

A: Emphasizing on diagnostics and treatments for conditions involving muscles, spinal, ligaments, joints and extremities, doctors of chiropractic are educated as health care providers primary-contact. With four years of pre-med typically required before applying for chiropractic college, they undergo courses in inorganic and organic chemistry, psychology, physics, biology, and related lab work. Following the acceptance into a college that is accredited, there are even more demanding requirements to fulfill such as; physiology, clinical diagnosis, laboratory procedures, neurology, diagnostic imaging, exercise, orthopedics, nutrition rehab, and more. Four to five years of academic, professional studies are the standard. Since the treatments that doctors of chiropractic are highly skilled adjusting techniques, and manipulation, there is a massive amount of time spent inside clinical technique training so they can perfect these procedures. Fully recognized by the United States Department of Education, and approved by an accrediting agency, this course of study mixed with the other college curriculum equals out to a minimum of 4,200 hours spent in classroom, labs and clinical experience.

Q: How do chiropractors perform an adjustment?

A: While utilizing their refined skills that are perfected during the investment of the chiropractor’s intensive education, the manipulation/adjustment procedures are often performed with their hands or use of an instrument to adjust the joints of the body. Focusing particularly on the spine, these methods restore and/or enhance joint function. This is also a great relief to join pain and inflammation. Adapting the special needs of each patient, it is a highly controlled procedure with low chances of discomfort. There are positive notations in the symptoms in patients immediately after the treatment.

Q: Is the treatment received by chiropractors ongoing?

A: A chiropractor will usually tell you the extent of the required or recommended treatment needed, along with how long it will be expected to go on. To be treated by a chiropractor, due to the hands-on nature of their treatments, the patient is required to be present at their office. Whereas medical treatments involve a pre-established plan to be conducted at home such as taking medication throughout following weeks at specified intervals. A doctor of chiropractic can provide chronic, acute, and/or preventative care that require multiple visits. The reason why multiple visits are often required is because the hands on approach that doctors of chiropractic are trained to provide.

Q: When a join is adjusted, why is there a popping noise?

A: The reason a popping noise is present during an adjustment is the same reason why you may here popping in your fingers or joins when cracking your knuckles. There are bubbles of gas that build up between the joints, when the pressure is applied during adjustment, stretching, or force, these gas bubbles are released usually accompanied by the popping from the pressure. The change of pressure in the joints during the adjustment/manipulation is minimally accompanied by discomfort, if there is any discomfort at all.

Headache Chiropractor Glendale AZ

If you are searching for “Headache Chiropractor Glendale AZ” you are probably one of the many Arizona residents that are suffering from frequent intense headaches. This pain can distract us from the joys of life and make simple tasks challenging. We offer headache chiropractor services in Glendale AZ to help alleviate these pains and help improve the quality of life for all of our patients.

Many people will tell you that a tension headache is like having a tight band or dull ache around their heads and behind the eyes. The most common cause for a tension headache is subluxations in the neck and upper back which is treated with chiropractic adjustments.

Headaches will affect just about everyone at some point in time and they may present themselves in various ways. Some will only experience pain either behind their eyes or in one part of their heads, while others may have a pounding sensation around the whole head; some may even experience nausea when some don’t. The pain can be sharp or dull and could last just a few minutes to days. Luckily, very few headaches have any serious underlying causes but for those that do, will need urgent medical care.

Chiropractic adjustments for various types of headaches

There have been may research studies that have shown that adjustments are good for treating headaches, especially ones that start near the neck.

A report that was released by Duke University Evidence Based Practice Center in 2001, found that spinal manipulations resulted in immediate improvement for those who have headaches that start in the neck, and had fewer side effects and long lasting relief of tension headaches than a prescribed medication. These findings were supporting a study that was published that stated that spinal adjustments are quite effective for treating tension headaches. The study found that people who getting treatment after 4 weeks have a sustained benefit when compared to those who had pain medication.

Each person’s case was different and will require a full evaluation before the right course of action for chiropractic care can be found. Although, in many cases of tension headaches, great improvement was found through manipulating the upper cervical vertebrae, when added with adjustments to the area between the thoracic and cervical spine. This is quite helpful in many cases of migraine headaches, as long as lifestyle and food triggers are avoided.

Headache Information

Even though headaches may be due to a variety of causes like temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMJ, drug reactions, low blood sugar, stress, fatigue, tightness in the neck muscles, and high blood pressure, most recurrent headaches are two types: migraine headaches and tension headaches also known as cervicogenic headaches. There is a third less common type of headache called the cluster headache that is similar to the migraine.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are a very common which affect around 75% of all headache sufferers. Many people have described tension headaches as an achy, dull feeling on either side of the head or both sides of the head, which is often described as feeling of a dull ache around the head or behind the eyes. These headaches normally start slowly and will gradually get worse and last for minutes or days, and will normally start in the middle or towards the end of the day. Tension headaches are normally caused by stress or bad posture, which stresses your muscles and spine of the upper neck and back.

Tension headaches will last from around minutes to days. There are some cases where a tension headache may continue for months. Although at times, the pain can be quite severe, they are normally not associated with any other symptoms like throbbing, vomiting, or nausea.

The most common cause of a tension headache is subluxations in the neck and upper back, especially in the upper neck, usually with a combination of active trigger points. Whenever the top of the cervical vertebrae will lose normal motion or position, and a small muscle called the rectus capitis posterior minor or RCPM muscle will begin to spasm. The problem is that the small muscle has a tendon that will slip between the base of the skull and upper neck and attaches to the dura mater or pain sensitive tissue that covers the brain. Even though the brain has no feeling, the dura mater is very sensitive. When the RCPM muscle begins to spasm, and the tendon tugs on the dura mater, you get a headache. People who have desk jobs often suffer from headaches because of this.

Another type of cause for tension headaches comes from the trigger points for pain from the SCM or Sternocleidomastoid or levator muscle in the side of the neck. These tend to be more common for people who have whiplash injury due to muscle damage in the neck area.

Migraine Headaches

Every year, around 25 million people in the United States will have a migraine headache and around 75% are women. Migraines are pretty intense and throbbing headaches that come with light or noise sensitivity and nausea. They may last only a few hours to several days. Most of those who have migraines will experience a visual symptom called aura before they have an attack which is described to seeing flashing lights or it has a hazy dreamlike appearance.

Migraine sufferers normally have their first attack before they turn 30 and will tend to run in families, which supports the notion that there may be a genetic component for them. Some people have attacks several times during the month while others have maybe one a year. Many people have found that migraine attacks happen less frequently and becomes less severe as a person ages.

Migraine headaches are caused by constriction of the blood vessels in the brain, followed by blood vessel dilation. During the constriction of the blood vessels there will be a decrease in blood flow which causes the visual symptoms that people have. Even for people who don’t have the classic migraine aura, many can tell that an attack is going to happen. Once the blood vessels dilate, there will be an increase in blood pressure inside of the head. It is this pressure that causes the pounding headaches. Each time that the heart beats, it will send a shock wave through carotid arteries within the neck and up to the brain.

There are many theories about why the blood vessels that constrict within the first place, but it is unknown for sure. What we do know is that there are a variety of things that may trigger migraines like stress, strong odors, lack of sleep, flickering lights, several foods, and changing weather patterns; especially food that are high in amino acids called tyramine. You may reduce the likelihood of migraines by making lifestyle changes.

Schedule Headache Chiropractic Treatment

At We Care Chiropractic Clinic in Glendale AZ we treat the chiropractic causes of the various types of headaches along with a wide variety of other pain disorders. There are various reasons that patients can feel discomfort, pain, and tension that leads to aches and headaches. We sincerely care and strive to provide relief from pain and a path toward better overall wellness. To schedule your appointment simply call 623-825-4444.

What Does A Chiropractor Do?

What Does A Chiropractor Do? Glendale AZ

When people search for alternatives to back pain relief, the majority decide on chiropractic treatments. There are roughly 22 million Americans that go to the chiropractor each year. From these, 35% (7.7 million) are looking for back pain relief due to different reasons, such as sports injuries, accidents, muscle strains, etc. Other reasons could be due to pain in the arms, neck, legs or even headaches.

What’s Chiropractic?

Chiropractors are doctors which use physical spinal manipulation, as well as other treatment alternatives. In theory, the body’s musculoskeletal structure being in proper alignment, especially the spine, can enable to body to better heal without the need of medication or surgery. The manipulation used focuses on restoring joint mobility and restriction caused from tissue injuries from traumatic events, like repetitive stress, such as sitting without the correct use of back support and falling.

A chiropractor is mainly used as an alternative to pain relief for joints, muscles, bones, even connective tissue, like ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. There are times it is used along with conventional medical treatment too.

A chiropractor is identified by the initials ‘DC’, and education commonly includes 4 years of chiropractic college in addition to an undergraduate degree.

What’s involved?

First, the chiropractor will take your medical history and perform a physical exam. Depending on your situation, they may also take lab tests or use image diagnostics to decide if treatment is the appropriate approach to your back pain.

Treatment plans could include a single adjustment, or multiple visits where the chiropractor manipulations your joints. They use a sudden, but controlled force to improve the quality and range of motion. It is common for chiropractors to integrate nutritional counseling as well as exercise and/or rehabilitation. With chiropractic care, the goals are to include function restoration and prevention of further injury.

What’s the Benefits and Risks?

Chiropractic care and spinal manipulation is often considered to be safe, and an effective treatment with acute lower back pain, types of rapid injury which results from getting tackled or moving furniture. It is more common to have acute back pain than chronic back pain, as it often improves on its own and only lasts up to six weeks.

Additionally, research has indicated that chiropractic methods have benefits in treating headaches and neck pain. Also, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis could respond to moderate pressure that is used by practitioners and chiropractors using deep tissue massage.

Although, studies have not confirmed the effectiveness of sclerotherapy or prolotherapy for relieving pain that is used by some osteopaths, medical doctors, and chiropractors for treating chronic back pain. This kind of pain can occur quickly or slowly, and lasts longer than three months. Therapy for this includes getting injections like anesthetic or sugar water to assist in strengthening ligaments within the back.

Those that have spinal cord compression, inflammatory arthritis, osteoporosis, or those that take medications or blood thinning, should avoid spinal manipulation. Additionally, those with a history of cancer should also get clearance form their medical doctor prior to getting spinal manipulation.

Treatments will be based around your back pain diagnosis. You should inform the chiropractor of your medical history, including your current medications, any ongoing medical conditions, lifestyle factors and traumatic or surgical history. Even though rare, there are cases where treatment worsened a slipped or herniated disc, or spinal cord injury occurred from neck manipulation. To ensure safety, you should always verify with your medical doctor to ensure your health conditions will allow you to benefit from using a chiropractor or another alternative to pain relief.

Glendale Chiropractic Services

At some point everyone gets a sore back or has an injury. If you have been involved in an accident, a sports injury, or just have tweaked your back and want relief our office can help you. We Care Chiropractic in Glendale Arizona cares about you and your health. Let us use our knowledge to diagnose the cause of the pain and come up with a treatment approach that will help you regain your full range of motion and living a pain free life. Give us a call today at 623-825-4444

Auto Accident Chiropractor Glendale

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After an auto accident chiropractors can help you get well again and put the accident behind you. Getting in a vehicle accident can be one of life’s most upsetting, overwhelming, and terrifying experiences. We rarely get any warning that our day is going to take a turn for the worse. Depending on the severity of the accident the emotional and physical damages can take time to heal, and can be a difficult process.

Unless you drive in demolition derby no one expects to be in an automobile accident. Knowing how to seek proper care is an important part of the healing process for yourself, and any loved ones that were in the vehicle with you. An important part of getting the care you need to catch any problems, and help set your body back in order is visiting a chiropractor. Many of the common injuries associated with auto accidents are treated by chiropractors.

Types Of Auto Injuries Chiropractors Treat

Whiplash caused by impact is one of the most common injuries treated by chiropractors, along with back and neck injuries. Chiropractors can also help treat the soft tissue pain and other injuries sustained during an auto accident. Stiffness and muscle pain are common after an accident and in some cases can be so severe that patients cannot function normally in their lives. Treating the pain and stiffness is a big part of overcoming the injury and healing.

Getting The Help You Need

Clearly recovering from an auto accident can many times take the expertise of a chiropractor. The first step in overcoming your injuries after an auto accident is making the appointment. During that first visit many times x-rays will be taken to check for serious damage to the spine or neck. We cannot always feel the damage we have sustained and the only way to check for it is through x-ray imagery.

Talking about your condition and symptoms is an important part of your relationship with your chiropractor. While you might think something as simple as general discomfort, pain, or headaches are minor symptoms, they can be signs that something more serious is going on. Whiplash injuries can cause some of these symptoms and people usually assume these types of injuries are only possible at high speed, when in fact they can happen with as little as 2 or 3 miles per hour sudden change in speed.

Stealthy Symptoms

Many people who get whiplash immediately experience indicators like shoulder pain, blurred vision, headaches, arm pain, reduced range of motion, and dizziness. Other people have the damage but do not experience such clear indicators that they have been injured, or the symptoms might develop more slowly. Disc damage, muscle injuries, ligament problems, and minor back injuries are also possible types of damage associated with auto accidents.

It may even take months for headaches or discomfort to become noticeable. Taking your symptoms serious helps catch disorders and damage before it can degrade your body and cause more severe disorders. If you have been in a auto accident seeing a chiropractor to check to make sure everything is sound in your neck and spine can put your mind at ease and help put the accident completely in the past.

Chiropractic Care After Auto Accidents in Glendale AZ

It is important to get check out if you have been in an auto accident. Many of these collisions are not serious enough for us to believe that we could have received lasting injuries. Knowing for sure if we have any neck or spinal problems through the care of chiropractors and x-rays is the only way to be sure. Catch problems early and get the care you need and deserve. Give us a call today to get your appointment at (623) 825-4444.

Back Pain Glendale, AZ

Are you experiencing back pain in Glendale, AZ? Contact We Care Chiropractic, we can help you relieve your back pain and more.

As much as back pain is disruptive to our lives, it is usually not a serious health problem. Missing work and frequent doctors visits can be problematic. The common ages for back pain are between 35 and 55 years of age. However, back pain can be a problem for people younger and especially older than that range. According to experts back pain has is associated with the way the ligaments, bones, and muscles work together in our backs.

Back Pain Causes

Lower back pain can be caused by a wide variety of conditions. It can be caused by problems with our skeletal system such as; bad discs between vertebrae, bony lumbar spine, and worn ligaments around discs and spine. The nervous system can also contribute to back pain. Problems with the nerves in the back or spinal cord issues can cause back pain. In addition back pain can be caused by disorders with organs, such as kidney or gall stones.

Some causes of back pain are never found; just the symptoms and pain are controlled. Here is a list of common or possible causes for back pain.

Structural Issues In The Back – There are a series of structural problems that can cause pain in the back, the following are potential causes.

An unnatural curvature of the spine can cause intense back pain, and even migraines in some cases. Scoliosis is an example of spinal curvature, where the spine curves to one side.
Bulging disks in the spine can cause pressure on a nerve which will cause significant pain.
Ruptured disks can also cause serious back pain. The disks are cushions between the sections of the spine. When they are damaged nerves are pinched or pressed on.
Arthritis can be a common cause of pain in the hands, knees, hips and back. There is a potential for spinal stenosis, the chambers around the spinal cord narrow. This causes nagging and significant discomfort.
Sciatica is another cause of back pain. It is a sharp pain that shoots down from the back into the buttock and legs. It is caused by a herniated or bulging disk that is putting pressure on a nerve.
Osteoporosis can lead to fractures in the entire body. The spine is no different and the brittle or porous bones can easily break leading to terrible pain.

Strain On The Back – This can be strain on the ligaments or muscles. It can be cause by lifting something too heavy, or lifting improperly. It can also happen if we make abrupt or awkward movement.

Other Disorders & Factors Leading To Back Pain

Apart from strain or structural issues in the back there are other disorders or conditions that can amplify or cause our back pain. Here’s a list of other disorders or conditions to consider when trying to track down the cause of your back pain.

Old or Inappropriate Mattress – Believe it or not even if you have bought a brand new mattress it might not be right for your back. Depending on height, weight, and a variety of other factors certain styles of mattress are not as good as others. This is why most good mattress stores have some type of in home trail period with an exchange possible if you simply can’t sleep on the mattress.

Shingles – Shingles can cause pain all over the body, including the back. It is an infection that can have a significant effect on the nerves which causes significant pain.

Infections In The Spine – An infection of the spine is a serious condition. If there is even a chance of infection immediately take a temperature of the patient and if there is a fever, take this situation serious. They will have an elevated temperature and an unusually warm spot on the back where the infection is.

Problems Sleeping – Patients with sleep disorders like insomnia are at a greater risk for back pain. The strain of sleep deprivation tends to but strain on every system of the body and can cause a myriad of issues.

Even the skin and muscular system can be a source of lower back pain. Clearly professional medical diagnosis is the key to finding the source of your pain and effectively treating it.

Back Pain Symptoms

Symptoms are something that you notice or feel in your body. Signs are something your family or friends might notice. A good example is a symptom is pain in your lower back, while a sign might be your coworkers noticing a expression of pain when you lift.

If you have back pain it’s no secret to you that the primary symptom of pain is the pain or ache in your back. Occasionally this pain can radiate down the legs and buttocks. Luckily the body usually heals itself and signs and symptoms will clear up on their own.

See a doctor for any of these signs or symptoms;

Unintentional weight loss

Fever

Swelling in the back

Persistent pain in the back

Pain down the legs

Pain that reaches below the knees

Pain down the legs

Pain that reaches below the knees

Any type of numbness in the pelvic area

Difficulty Urinating

Categorizing Back Pain

With careful attention and home treatment the vast majority of back pain resolves itself. Like most injuries rest can help relieve pack pain, but too much can actually create new problems. Rest should be limited to a couple days. Pain can usually be managed with over the counter painkillers.

Typically there are two types of back pain:

Chronic Back Pain – This type of back pain is characterized by pain that develops gradually over a long period of time. It also needs to last longer than 3 months and cause long-term back pain problems.

Acute Back Pain – Back pain that has sudden onset, meaning that pain suddenly comes on or lasts for a max of 3 months is categorized as acute back pain.

A large percentage of back pain patients report having both types of pain. An underlying constant ache is present, and then sudden bouts of intense pain. This commonality makes the diagnosis and treatment of back pain tricky for medical professionals.

Types of Back Pain Treatments

Depending on the type and location of pain your physician will recommend different type of treatments. Here is a look at some of the common back pain treatments.

Pharmaceutical Medications – If a patient hasn’t responded to, or found sufficient relief with over the counter painkillers, a doctor may prescribe other medications. NSAID anti-inflammatory prescriptions are common. Stronger pain killers may be prescribed for short durations. These are habit forming and require the monitoring by the physician.

Regenerative Cell Injections – A new and promising technology in the treatment of degenerative disc disease has come out of Duke University in North Carolina. A biomaterial is injected into the spine which repairs discs and eliminates back pain caused by degenerative disc disease.

Anti-Inflammatory Injections – If the pain is radiating to the legs doctors might recommend an injection of cortisone into the epidural space. This is the space surrounding the spinal cord. It helps reduce inflammation around the roots of the nerves. The duration of relief is about 6 weeks.

Botox can also be injected into the epidural space, it isn’t an inflammatory drug but it paralysis the sprained muscles. This halts their spasms and controls the pain. The duration for this treatment lasts about 3 to 4 months.

Surgery For Back Pain – Using surgery to solve back pain is exceedingly rare and is usually associated with a herniated disk. This is a last resort and usually only done if there is nerve compression and pain that is causing weakness in the muscles. There are few different types of surgery that are possible to help with pain in the back. They are not limited to but include the following:

Installing an Artificial Disk – If the disk has worn down or been broken a replacement disc can be inserted between the vertebrae.
Alteration of Vertebra – If the vertebra is pinching nerves or the spinal cord a section of it can be removed. This makes it so the vertebra or nerves don’t get pinched.
Alteration of a Disk – Disks can pinch and put pressure on nerves like the vertebra themselves. The discs can be altered so that a portion of the material is removed. This is called a disectomy of a spinal disk.
Vertebral Fusion – There are cases where the fusing of vertebra can relieve back pain. This is done by either setting a cage around the two vertebras that are to be fused or with a series of plates and screws.

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Glendale Sciatica Chiropractic Treatment

Sciatica is a common realm of treatment for Chiropractic Doctors. When pain starts in your lower back and buttocks and then travels into one or both legs you’ve got a Sciatica problem. Even for the individual Sciatic nerve pain varies with frequency and intensity. Pain can be constant, frequent, or intermittent. The severity of the pain can vary too, from severe, moderate, and minimal. Conveying the frequency and severity of pain can help you chiropractor treat your pain more effectively.

What Sciatica Is

A common misconception about Sciatica is that it is a disorder. It is in fact a symptom of a disorder that affects a lot of Phoenix residents. The disorder it many times caused by nerve compression. So it is a sign that something is wrong, not a disease itself. It is like a red light telling you to stop and take a moment to find out what is really wrong. Some of the disorders or conditions that can cause Sciatica are herniated or bulging discs, lumbar spine subluxations, child birth or even pregnancy. There are a few non-spinal disorders like constipation, diabetes, tumors, or something as simple as sitting on your wallet too much.

Sciatica pain is usually described as an achy, dull, toothache like pain. Some experience the pain as sharp, pins and needles like pain that is similar to electric shocks. Additional symptoms possible include numbness, tingling sensations, and even burning.

Piriformis Syndrome is one of the most common causes for Sciatica. The piriformis is a muscle that ties the lower spine to the thighbone. Its purpose is to help with hip rotation. The piriformis muscle is susceptible to getting injured by slips and falls. It can also have problems if you have different leg lengths or develop hip arthritis. If this muscle starts to tense or spasm it pinches the Sciatica causing discomfort, pain and inflammation. Along with insomnia, Sciatica pain can even result in the loss of feeling or paralysis of a single limb or group of muscles.

Accurate Diagnosis of Sciatica is Critical

We have discussed a few of the possible causes of Sciatica pain. However there are quite a few possible causes for Sciatica pain. To form a correct diagnosis for your Sciatica pain your Chiropractor will perform a physical and neurological examination and thoroughly review your medical history. Your chiropractor many times will need to get some tests to accurately diagnose what is causing your Sciatica pain. Some of the tests can include x-ray, CT scans, MRI and/or electrodiagnostic tests.

There are a few causes of Sciatica that are beyond the scope of Chiropractic treatment, so accurate diagnosis is very helpful for the doctor and patient. If your doctor determines that your disorder is in fact caused by a disorder that will not respond to chiropractic treatments they will refer you to another medical specialty to receive the treatment and pain relief you are seeking.

Sciatic Chiropractic Treatments For Symptoms

Which type of chiropractic treatment your chiropractor recommends and employs to help you with your Sciatica pain depends on the cause of your Sciatica pain. These treatments are drug-free and non-invasive. The treatments used to treat Sciatica are many times trying to capitalize on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. This is based on the principle that restricted or interrupted spine movement causes pain and diminished performance and function.

Treatment Types For Sciatica

In Glendale you’ll find that the variety of Sciatica treatments can vary from cold/ice therapies, ultrasound, spinal adjustments, and TENS. Which type or types you’ll need depend on your cause and severity of Sciatica pain. Below you’ll find more detailed descriptions of each type of Sciatica treatment.

Ultrasound Sciatica Treatment – Using sound waves heat is transferred deep into tissues. This heat helps increase circulation and helps to cut down the cramping, muscle spasms, stiffness, swelling and pain.

Cold/Ice Therapy – The application of ice packs or cold helps to manage pain and reduces inflammation.

Spinal Adjustments – Everyone who has been to the chiropractor knows the table and the relief when a spinal adjustment brings that relief for pain that’s been plaguing us for weeks, months, or years. This is the core of chiropractic treatment. These adjustments return the vertebral bodies to their proper position in your spinal column. This spinal adjustment and manipulation restores unrestricted movement of the spine and reduces nerve irritability. When the nerves are calmed down it will reduce inflammation, pain, muscle spasms and the other symptoms that have been plaguing you. These adjustments should not be painful and are safe and effective.

During training and education in college chiropractic students learn to master different spinal adjustment techniques. These can vary from a minimal or gentle pressure to swift high velocity thrusts to treat the several types of subluxations and disorders.

TENS Unit – TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. This simply means that this therapudic device uses electrical impulses delivered through the skin to help treat your Sciatica. It is a small battery powered machine that is portable. It has variable levels of intensity to customize the level of treatment to your needs. Larger more powerful units are used by physical therapists and in chiropractic offices.

5 Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Stress Relief – Having the muscular/skeletal systems out of alignment the anything contained within them will also be out of line, including your nervous system. Your body knows when it is out of alignment which causes subconscious stress. Achieving balance will release tension immediately, alleviating a good portion of the stress right away. You brain will relax, which will allow your body to follow.
Better Posture – Regular chiropractic care can restore the natural curvature of your spine, which will improve your every day posture. This can help out with neck discomfort in particular. Constant computer and cell phone use are leading to the onset of neck issues at much earlier ages than in the past. Improving the posture and strength of the muscles along your spine will allow you to stand tall.
Mood Improvement – When the various systems in your body find balance your overall mood will improve. This is due to the fact that your body can achieve its proper and natural chemistry levels. There have been many testimonials of patients who have been dealing with depression feeling an improvement in their condition after receiving regular chiropractic care. People with ADHD have also expressed experiencing improvement.
Immune System Improvement – Aligning your body’s various systems can remove sublaxations that interfere with the regular functioning or your immune system. So much information is transferred by your nervous system that any interruptions can serious effect your immune system adversely. The better condition your immune system is, the healthier you will feel on an everyday basis.
Improvements in Sleep Patterns – Many of us do not get adequate amounts of sleep and that is one of the unhealthiest aspects of our society. Stress is the leading reason why so many of us lack sleep, but pain and aches are right up there among the leading causes. Chiropractic care can address all of these issues and more often than not will lead to improved sleep that lasts for longer durations.