Conditions

Ankle and Foot Pain

Ankle pain is a common symptom that can be caused by several different factors, ranging from ill-fitting shoes to a bone fracture. Pain can develop on the inner or outer side of the ankle, and often causes difficulty walking and limited activities.

Treatment of ankle pain varies depending on the cause of the pain, but may include rest, ice, medication and alternative treatments such as chiropractic care, acupuncture and massage therapy.

 

Arthritis

Arthritis is a group of conditions that cause pain and damage to the joints of the human body, mostly targeting the cartilage that protects the joints. Nearly one in three adults suffer from the swollen, stiff and painful joints of arthritis, and it is the most common chronic ailment among the elderly. While there are over 100 types of arthritis, the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment of arthritis typically involves a combination of anti-inflammatory medication and devices to relieve stress on the joint (canes, crutches or splints). Regular exercise, weight loss for overweight patients, and cortisone injections may also be helpful.

 

Back Pain

Back pain is a common symptom that can be triggered by several different causes, including injury, accidents or degenerative conditions such as arthritis, disc disease or a herniated disc. This pain may be chronic or acute, depending on the cause, and can range in intensity from a dull ache to intense, throbbing pain.

Patients with back pain usually find relief through conservative treatments such as rest, ice or heat therapy and over-the-counter pain medications, as well as alternative treatments such as massage therapy and chiropractic care.

Bone Spurs

Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are bony calcium growths that develop on the end of bones and may cause pain and irritation as they rub against nerves and other bones.

Bone spurs can form on nearly any bone in the body, and are most common in the joints. The symptoms of bone spurs vary depending on the location. Bone spurs in the spine may be particularly painful, but many others do not cause any symptoms. In fact, many patients do not know that they have bone spurs for many years.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition involving numbness, pain, tingling and instability in the wrist, hand and fingers. It occurs when pressure is put on a nerve in the wrist called the median nerve, which controls motor function in the wrist and hand.

Most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome can be effectively treated with nonsurgical therapies such as wrist splints, anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids.

 

Disc Disorders

The intervertebral discs between the bones of the vertebrae help cushion the bones and allow for smooth and painless movement. These bones are composed of collagen and start out very soft, but gradually harden as we age and provide less support. When the discs become damaged or misplaced, symptoms may arise, causing pain that radiates throughout the body.

Discs may become damaged as a result of:

• Injury
• Herniation
  
• Degeneration
• Tumors
• Bone spurs
  

Elbow Pain

Elbow pain is a common symptom that is most often caused by trauma to the elbow from physical activity or an accident. Pain can occur on the inside or outside of the elbow joint and may be acute or chronic. Some of the most common types of elbow pain include tennis elbow, tendonitis, locked elbow and golfer’s elbow, all of which develop from overuse of the joint. In addition to pain caused by trauma, elbow pain may also be a result of arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic condition that causes pain throughout the muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue, headaches and other symptoms. It is similar to arthritis, but does not cause inflammation or damage to the painful areas.

Fibromyalgia is often hard to diagnose and may only be tested after several other conditions have been ruled out. Treatment for fibromyalgia focuses on relieving the symptoms of this chronic condition. Your doctor may prescribe analgesics, antidepressants, muscle relaxants or sleeping pills to help make fibromyalgia more manageable, as well as alternative treatments such as massage therapy, acupuncture and therapeutic exercise.

Hamstring Muscle Injuries

The hamstring is a group of muscles located on the back of the thigh that help extend the hip joint and flex the knee. As it is commonly used during physical and daily activities, the hamstring is prone to injuries such as a contusion or muscle strain. When these injuries occur, patients may experience bruising, swelling, muscle spasms and difficulty contracting the muscle.

Treatment for a hamstring injury depends on the severity of the condition, but may include rest, using crutches, icing the area, physical therapy and massage therapy.

Headaches and Migraines

A headache is a common symptom that involves aching or pain in one or more areas of the head or face. While there are many different types of headaches, one of the most common and most severe are migraines, which cause throbbing pain and may also lead to nausea, vomiting, depression and sleep disruption.

Headaches can often be treated with over-the-counter medications, although some are so severe that they require more advanced prescription drugs. Chiropractic care has also been proven effective for the treatment of migraine headaches.

 

Heel Pain

Heel pain is one of the most common forms of foot pain and may be caused by wearing shoes that do not fit properly, injury, or conditions such as Achilles tendonitis, heel bursitis and plantar fasciitis. This pain is often most severe in the morning or after prolonged activity. Patients may also experience swelling, redness and heat.

Hip Pain

The hip joint is a ball and socket joint that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the pelvic bone (ilium). Cartilage lubricates the joint and allows for fluid movement, but may become diseased or damage as a result of several different factors. As we age, the hip joint becomes more susceptible to pain, stiffness and inflammation caused by arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis and nerve irritation. Your doctor will evaluate the cause of your hip pain through a series of diagnostic evaluations before recommending the best treatment option.

Jaw Pain

Jaw pain may be caused by injury or disease, and is most likely a result of disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the lower jaw to the skull. In addition to pain, patients may experience a click or popping sounds while moving the jaw, chronic headaches, earaches and facial pain.

Back to Top

Joint Disorders

Joint disorders can affect nearly any joint in the body, but are especially common within the joints of the spine, known as facet joints. These joints are located in pairs in between each vertebra and allow the spine to move smoothly. Facet joints can be damaged as a result of trauma or long-term degeneration, and may cause pain, stiffness, headaches and difficulty moving. These disorders can be effectively treated through chiropractic care and other alternative treatment methods.

Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common ailment that affects thousands of people in the US each year. There are several different structures in the knee, each of which can be damaged by several different causes. Some of the most common causes of knee pain include:

• Trauma
• Overuse
• Sudden turning movements
• Awkward landings from falls
• Infection
• Degeneration.

Leg Pain

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, stretching from the end of the spinal cord to the end of each leg. This nerve is susceptible to pain caused by injury, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, tumors or infection. Patients may experience pain radiating down the entire nerve, as well as numbness, tingling and muscle weakness. Most cases of sciatic pain go away within six to eight weeks, and can be prevented by stretching and practicing good posture.

Lower Back Pain

The lower back is one of the most important parts of the body, as it holds most of our body weight when we stand and is involved in the movement when we bend or twist at the waist. Because of its pivotal role and frequent use, it is susceptible to injury and chronic pain. Lower back pain is especially common in older adults, who may have decreased bone strength and muscle elasticity.

Lower Back Pain with Leg Symptoms

Pain in the lower back is often accompanied by leg pain, numbness and tingling as a result of irritated nerves and certain trigger points within the spine. This type of pain is commonly referred to as sciatic pain, as it affects the sciatic nerve that runs from the end of spinal cord through the legs. Pressure on these nerves cause symptoms to travel along the nerve, through the spine and down the legs.

Low back pain with sciatica typically responds well to chiropractic treatment, as well as massage therapy, acupuncture and other alternative treatments.

Mid Back Pain

Pain in the mid back is often caused by scoliosis, poor posture, misaligned vertebrae or strained muscles. Patients may experience pain that is dull or sharp, and occurs constantly or intermittently.

Mid back pain can often be treated with chiropractic care, including manipulation, physiotherapy and exercise. Patients can prevent this pain from occurring by following a proper exercise program and always stretching before physical activity.

Muscular Pain

Muscle pain is a common ailment that may occur as a result of an injury, such as a pull, tear or rupture, or a strain from overuse, improper lifting or poor postures. Many people do not notice that muscle damage has occurred until pain has spread to the surrounding joints and nerves. Fortunately, muscle damage can usually be treated without the need for surgery, and can instead by done through a combination of chiropractic treatments to relive pain and speed the healing process.

Neck Pain

Neck pain most often derives from the cervical spine, the uppermost part of the spinal cord that connects it to the brain and contains many ligaments and tendons as well. Pain often develops as a result of a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degeneration or osteoarthrisits. Depending on the cause, neck pain can be acute or chronic and may also cause pain radiating down the arm, as well as numbness, tingling and muscle weakness.

Back to Top

Nerve Disorders

Nerves within the spine can be damaged in several different ways, including compression, subluxation, pinching and more. Nerve damage can cause pain throughout the body, along with numbness, weakness, fatigue, loss of motor control and even paralysis.

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is a form of chronic pain that is usually caused by tissue injury and causes damage to the nerve fibers as a result. Patients with neuropathic pain experience shooting and burning pain or tingling and numbness. These symptoms can occur anywhere on the body, depending on which nerves are affected. Neuropathic pain often has no specific cause, but may be influenced by conditions such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis, or by procedures such as chemotherapy, amputation or spine surgery.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common condition that affects more than half of adults over the age of 65, causing bone loss that leads to fractures, height loss and a hump-backed appearance. Post-menopausal women are at the highest risk of developing osteoporosis, which may also be affected by heredity, nutrition, medications, lifestyle and illnesses.

Bone lost from osteoporosis cannot be replaced, but your doctor will work with you to prevent further weakening. The treatment plan may include exercise, diet changes, hormone therapy or chiropractic treatment.

Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve is a common condition that occurs when too much pressure is applied to the nerve from surrounding bones, cartilage and muscles. This excess pressure causes nerve malfunction and may result in pain, tingling, numbness or muscle weakness. This condition can occur anywhere in the body, and most often affects patients with poor posture, osteoarthritis, those with jobs that require repetitive use of the hand or wrist, or patients who are obese. Treatment for a pinched nerve aims to restore nerve function and can be done through rest and chiropractic care.

Pregnancy Pain

Pregnant women often experience several different types of back pain as a result of the excess weight they are carrying. This pain may occur in the coccyx (tailbone), groin, pelvic, upper leg, sacroiliac joint and other locations as well. It most often worsens as the pregnancy progresses and the weight of the baby increases.

Patients can relieve this pain by maintaining good posture, performing proper exercises, avoiding standing for long periods of time and wearing low-heeled shoes.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a common condition that involves an abnormal curvature of the spine. It may be present at birth or can develop later on, but the cause is unknown. Scoliosis affects about 2 to 4 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 16, and is more common in girls.

Scoliosis does not usually worsen and can often be treated simply by regular doctor's appointments to monitor the condition. Chiropractic care can help prevent further spine curvature and may even reverse the current damage in some cases. Back braces are also effective in correcting curvature.

Sports Injuries

Sports injuries are common conditions that occur because of the overuse, repetitive actions and direct contact that many sports include. Different sports often cause different types of injuries:

• Running/Jogging – This activity puts stress on the back, as the pounding against pavement can compress structures within the spine.
• Swimmer’s Shoulder – Shoulder pain in swimmers is often caused by rotator cuff irritation that occurs from overuse and emphasis on the internal rotation of the shoulder. This condition causes pain radiating down the arm.
• Tennis Elbow – This condition involves pain on the outside part of the elbow as a result of tendon tears or ruptures, commonly caused by the twisting and rotating motions from tennis.
• Weightlifting – Weightlifting can cause serious injuries within the back, shoulders, neck and knees as a result of heavy lifting.
  

Subluxation

Subluxation is a dislocation of a bone within the vertebrae, which can cause nerve irritation, pain and an imbalance in neurological functioning of the body. Subluxation may occur as a result of a fall, injury or other trauma, or from poor posture, improper sleeping position, obesity, lack of rest or lack of exercise.

There are four different phases of subluxation, which are classified by how long the condition has been present and progressively worsen with time. This condition can be corrected through chiropractic care.

Whiplash

Also known as neck sprain or strain, whiplash involves an injury to the neck, and is commonly caused by a car accident, blow to the head or repetitive stress injury. In addition to pain, patients with whiplash also experience swelling, tenderness, muscle spasms, nausea, blurred vision, ear ringing and headaches.

Chiropractic care is often effective in relieving symptoms of whiplash. Most patients recover fully from this condition within 12 weeks.

Back to Top