Tampa Chiropractor

There is a large number of men and women today in a daily struggle to lose weight, particularly too much weight around the middle. But, the imperative to lose weight is, most often, more than merely a cosmetic issue.  The unfortunate truth is, if people are walking around with too much weight in their stomach area, their back is going to suffer as a result.

The majority of people who are overweight experience moderate to severe back pain. This occurs because the spine was not designed to haul something that weighs more than the body is at its normally healthy weight.  As a human being puts on extra pounds, the spine begins to distort and to compress, creating a lot of pain and discomfort.  The pelvis can additionally be affected and become tilted forward compelling it to pinch the sciatic nerve. That is one of the main reasons why those who are overweight tend to have challenges with their lower back. The suffering is due to either sciatica or the distorting of the spinal column.

If this condition sounds achingly familiar, and it’s your desire to get out pain, unmistakeably the thing to do is to do away with the extra weight that you are carrying around, and your spine will start to ease up and go back into its regular position.  Regrettably, weight loss is difficult and it can take time, even with the best of intentions. The good news is you don’t have to continue to experience back pain as you lose the weight. A chiropractor can assist you in getting the pain relief you’ll require to help you as you shed the extra pounds.

But, you will still need to lose the extra weight, and not having back pain will actually assist you in doing it. Losing the extra weight naturally and healthfully is crucial, and there are two (simple but not easy) things that will definitely work: Get some type of exercise every day, even if it’s just a small amount, and make sure that you take in fewer calories than you burn! Sure, you’ve heard about these two things before. However, now that you’ve found out that your back is depending on you, it’s the perfect time to get truly inspired.

Start exercising slowly, especially if you’re having problems with back pain. And, most importantly, be sure to see a chiropractor so that you don’t go wrong the way many people do, which is exercising into the pain. That will without a doubt make your condition worse. Exercise, though occasionally uncomfortable, should never be painful or cause pain. That’s why it’s important to see a chiropractor if you’re having difficulties with back pain.

Do simple stretching exercises and also concentrate on your core abdominal body muscles. Strong stomach muscles aid in relieving back pain. Your chiropractor will be able to provide exercises that are best for you, individually. Within just a week or two of dedication to losing the weight that is causing your back pain and perhaps other health problems as well, you should begin to notice a dramatic difference in the way that you feel.

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When a person wakes up in the morning with a stiff and painful neck the tendency is to blame the condition on one’s pillow, bed, or sleep position during that night. Other times a person can move their neck suddenly and feel sharp pain thinking that something suddenly slipped out of position or is pinching a “nerve”. It is important to understand that most neck problems are seldom caused by a single incident but by the cumulative affect of improper sitting posture, poor work and living habits, lack of proper exercise and flexibility and other lifestyle-related factors. Of course some neck problems are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall or a sports injury.

Anatomy

To understand neck pain it is necessary to understand the anatomy of the spine. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the neck consist of posterior joints called facets that link vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the motion of the spine. The intervertbral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are composed of a form of tough cartilage that encases a soft material in the centre called the nucleus. The primary function of the disc is a shock absorber and a spacer between the vertebrae. Ligaments are tough, non elastic bands that hold the bones together and muscles are the tissues that contract to move the body. For more information please feel free to visityour Tampa chiropractor. In a canal located between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. The spinal nerves exit the spine between the vertebrae and provide the energy to make the muscles and other organs of the body function. The spinal nerves also carry impulses from the body to the brain regarding pain, touch, position, temperature as well as other senses. The nerves from the neck are responsible for the entire upper extremity including the shoulder, elbow and hand as well as structures of the head and neck. The neck has a natural forward curve viewed from the side that helps properly balance the weight of the head as well as to decrease stress.

Risk Factors for Neck Pain

More and more people are now making their living sitting at a desk. The use of computers have risen astronomically and many of us spend eight to ten hours a day slumped over the keyboard and staring at the monitor. When we sit with our head in a forward bent position, the posture that most desk workers assume, the ligaments that hold the facets together and the muscles in the neck are put under tremendous strain. In addition the normal forward curve of the neck becomes reversed causing more stress upon all the surrounding tissues of the neck. All of this can lead to spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the main causes of spinal nerve irritation. Besides pain, spinal nerve irritation in the neck can cause symptoms including headaches, eye problems, giddiness, arm and hand pain and paraesthesia, as well as shoulder pain.

Whiplash

Many people are involved in car accidents during their lifetime. By far the most common auto accident is when one car collides in to the rear-end of another car. During such an accident, the passenger in the front vehicle gets their head forcefully jerked backward and then forward causing injury to the structures of the back and front of the neck. This type of injury is often called a whiplash. Even at low speeds, the amount of force generated by such an accident is very strong and can cause trauma to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs and the spinal nerves. Besides neck pain and immobility, symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vertigo, arm and shoulder pain, tingling in the hands and fingers and weakness of the arm and hand are associated with whiplash injury. It is very important to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. However in most cases, the injuries are usually to the soft tissues and joints. Proper management is essential to recover from the pain and symptoms of whiplash and to prevent future disability. Tampa chiropractors are educated to understand whiplash injury and manage the case from beginning to end.

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Low back pain is a common health problem that at some time affects more than 80% of the population – making it second in prevalence only to the common cold. Although most of us are aware that the common cold is due to a viral infection, back pain is often a mystery to most of its sufferers. Chiropractors are experts at solving that mystery.

Anatomy

To understand back pain it is important to understand the anatomy of the spine. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back consist of posterior joints called facets that link vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the motion of the spine. The intervertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae. They are composed of a form of tough cartilage that encases a soft material in the center called the nucleus. The primary function of the disc is a shock absorber and a spacer between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also connect the vertebrae. The bottom wedge shaped bone at the bottom of the spine is the sacrum and is joined to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. In a canal located between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. The spinal nerves exit the spine between the vertebrae.

Causes of Back Pain

The majority of back pain patients have not experienced any trauma, accidents or major injuries prior to the onset of their problem. The cause of most back pain is the cumulative affect of improper sitting posture, poor work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of proper exercise and other lifestyle-related factors. All of these factors cause stress and imbalances on the spine and eventually pain. This is why people often injure their back by just bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The spine was already compromised and just the simple act of bending was enough to set off the problem. When this occurs, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back.

Disc Problems & Sciatica

Prolonged sitting especially in a slouched position causes increased pressure upon the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles surrounding the spine. Eventually the lower spine loses its normal function and no longer can accommodate the normal day-to-day stresses in one’s life. Ultimately, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures or cracks allowing the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. If the disc pushes upon sensitive tissues one feels pain and this is often referred to as a slipped disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve a person can develop sciatica which is defined as pain, tingling, numbness and sometimes weakness in their lower extremities. Sometimes if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition is not managed correctly, surgery is required to remove the herniated disc material. However, with the correct chiropractic adjustments and management, andPostural exercises most of these cases can recover.

Spondylosis

Repetitive injury to the disc, the facet joints, and the surrounding ligaments may result in increased wear and tear and weight-bearing stress on the spine. This stress can negatively affect the cartilage around the joints and causes calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae, forming bone spurs. These spurs can compress adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain, numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This condition – known as Spondylosis – is a form of arthritis that affects almost everyone at some point in his or her life. It is also a common part of the aging process of the spine. However, factors such as previous trauma, lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influences the time of onset in life. Chiropractic adjustments and management is very effective in helping spondylosis sufferers manage their condition.

Sacroiliac Problems

Another common area of dysfunction or injury in the low back are the sacroiliac joints. These weight-bearing joints link the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are normally very strong and stable. However with trauma such as falls, sports injuries and lifting heavy objects, the joints can become unstable and move to an abnormal position. This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Women may get this condition during or after their pregnancy. Sacroiliac subluxation causes imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. People with this condition will feel pain especially with prolonged standing, walking or during or after physical activity and often complain of lack of energy and feeling tired easily. Often this imbalance can affect structures further up the spine and people can develop neck and shoulder pain as well as headaches. Chiropractic adjustments and treatment are extremely affective in correcting this problem by establishing proper alignment of the joints.

Spinal Subluxation

A very common disorder of the lower back as well as the entire spine is subluxated or misaligned facet joints. Subluxations can exist on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and spondylosis. They can cause pain as well as compromise to the spinal nerves as they exit the foramen or spaces between the vertebrae. A symptom often associated with nerve compression is paresthesia which is an alteration of sensation described as a tingling, burning or funny feeling. Paresthesia in the upper extremities usually originates from nerve problems in the neck while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is most often associated with nerve problems in the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also be associated or complicated by spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best corrected with chiropractic adjustments.

Trauma such as a fall, a car accident or sports injury can also cause injury to the spine and lower back. Often these traumas cause over-stretching or tearing of any of the tissues of the spine. When this happens a person can feel considerable pain and immobility. Proper chiropractic management at the onset of symptoms is very important in order avoid long term disability and the development of any of the above conditions.

Scoliosis can also be associated with low back pain.

Chiropractic care provides state of the art diagnosis and treatment for problems associated with any of the above mentioned conditions of the back. Please take advantage of this month’s offer to see how we can help your problem.

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One of the most frequently misunderstood conditions among sufferers is arthritis..When some people hear this word they contemplate a future with crippled and twisted joints.  However, many conditions from benign to severe are filed under the term, arthritis. For our purposes we will confine this analysis to the most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are the labels for the most common form of arthritis, which is also called, spondylosis, if it occurs in the spine. Essentially, the condition is due to the wearing out of the cartilage that lines the joint surfaces, and it is found not only in humans, but also in all mammals. Degenerative changes in the joint occurs when joint cartilage is injured and causes stress to the sensitive bone tissue that is ordinarily preserved by the cartilage. Sometimes the bone around the joint will proliferate and make osteophytes, or what are often called bone spurs. These spurs can produce painful irritation to other tissues surrounding the joint, therefore complicating the already painful condition.

Degenerative joints most often occur in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, hips, and fingers. Previous trauma, certain occupations and activities, weight, diet, and heredity all appear to impact both the onset and severity of DJD.

The symptoms of DJD always involve some degree of pain and/or stiffness in the body part involved. As the condition advances there can be loss of mobility, particularly when weight-bearing joints such as hips or knees are affected.  As a last resort joints can be surgically replaced with synthetic devices. This should be done only in severe cases where the joint is measurably worn and movement is unattainable without severe pain.

Prevention is always the best option, beginning at an early age.

• Making sure that all injuries to joints are properly treated will help to avoid future problems.
• People involved in occupations that require standing or walking should wear suitable shoes that offer good support and shock absorption.
• Weight loss through proper diet will help to decrease stress on weight-bearing body joints.

• Avoid kneeling on hard surfaces, such as when doing housework, as this can put strain and produce knee pain.

• The natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants provided by fruits and vegetables are crucial for healthy joints and a healthy body.

Recently there have been some studies that offer proof that the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can help with DJD and might help rebuild joint cartilage. However, it must be used over a long-term period and does not work in all conditions.

Chiropractic adjustments help to restore proper mobility and function to the spinal joints. Chiropractic care is not only sound, but extremely effective in relieving the dibilitating pain of arthritis. Your Tampa chiropractor is highly trained when it comes to arthritic pain relief. Other forms of chiropractic care may include joint mobilization, massage, ultrasound, cold laser, or electro-therapy, all of which may be helpful in the relief of painful and stiff joints. Occasionally, a brace is necessary to support the joint and relieve pain. Movement is vital to the maintenance of arthritic joints. Your Tampa chiropractor often suggests gentle, mobilizing activities such as stretching, yoga, and tai chi can be beneficial.

Gout

An elevated level of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints cause gouty arthritis. Generally, gouty arthritis is characterized by intense pain and swelling of the joints in the big toes, knees, ankles and wrists. A large number of people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are generally brought on by binge eating of agitative foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Foods that need to be avoided include a natural substance called Purines that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. People with this condition cannot effectively metabolize uric acid, thus the buildup in the bloodstream and the subsequent joint problems. The foods most correlated with high purine content are: red meat especially organ meat, certain seafood, legumes, mushrooms and other foods as well. There are other dietary restrictions that must be followed including the avoidance of alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is systemic in nature and thought to be created by immune system dysfunction. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, though other areas of the body can be affected as well. Morning stiffness aggravated by movement is generally associated with the disease. Frequently people complain of general malaise and fatigue, and the disease in its more advanced forms can affect many of the other body systems. There are particularized blood tests to help identify Rheumatoid arthritis that can be easily run. Though, currently, there is no cure, in addition to medication and vitamin and diet therapy, treatment should include chiropractic adjustments to mobilize joints and help to relieve the pain and stiffness accompanying this disease. Additional modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy, and massage may also be helpful. Your Tampa chiropractor is dedicated to supporting sufferers in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

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In the past, sports injuries were mostly limited to professional athletes, young people participating in school sports programs, and men participating in weekend activities such as rugby. However more and more people of all ages and both sexes are doing regular sports and fitness activities. There are even women now doing traditional men’s sports such as soccer, basketball and rugby. However the majority of people are involved in such activities as golf, tennis, running and activities such as aerobic classes or weight training. No matter what activity one does, there is always the risk of injury. Injury can be broken down into two basic types, one from trauma such as a slip, fall or collision and the other being of the over-use or repetitive stress variety.

Traumatic Injuries

These injuries can cause the debilitating type of problems often associated with trauma. Most of these injuries are usually to the ligaments, the tissue that connects bones to bones and or to muscles though fractures and dislocations do occur at times especially with the contact sports. A strain is any injury to either a muscle or its tendon and a sprain to ligaments. The most common areas for these types of injuries are the ankles, knees, and the shoulders though other areas can be affected including thelow back and neck. Of course, injuries to the neck and low back can be quite serious as the spinal cord or spinal nerves can also be involved.

Traumatic injuries can vary from a mild “muscle pull” or ankle twist to a serious problem requiring surgery. It all depends upon the degree of tearing of the tissues, the location, and the age of the person. Most sprains and strains are associated with some degree of swelling and sometimes internal bleeding especially with the ankles and knees. With all strains and sprains proper management is very important especially during the initial stages of the injury to insure proper healing and no future disability.

The following is an acronym for the post-injury management of sprains and strains especially if no professional help is available: PRICE
P -Protect the injury from further damage
R -Rest the injury
I – Ice the injury to reduce swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm and pain
C -Compress the injury with a specialised support or elastic bandage to support the injured tissues
E – Elevate the injury if necessary when dealing with ankles and knees.

Of course it is important to get the injury properly assessed by a chiropractor or other professional so to know the extent of damage. Most of these injuries can recover though do need proper care during the various stages of healing. If not manage carefully some sprains and strains can leave us with long lasting problems of joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. A Chiropractor who is trained in the management of sports injury can give you the proper advice and treatment to insure that your injury will heal in the best possible way.

Overuse or Repetitive Strain Injuries:

These injuries are becoming more and more common especially among people pursuing sports such as golf, tennis, bowling or any other activity that are requires one to do the same activity over and over. Even running, especially on a treadmill can cause such problems. Some of these problems have been discussed in greater detail in other sections of the website one beingtennis or golf elbow.

Basically these conditions occur when we are involved in a repetitive activity that causes a very slight strain to tissues especially tendons and muscles that alone would not cause a problem but done many times has an accumulative affect. carpal tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common types of overuse injuries. After some time the muscle or other affected tissue develops changes that no longer allow it to function properly resulting in pain, stiffness and disability. There are two types of factors that predispose one to these types of problems one being intrinsic or found within one’s own body and extrinsic or external factors that can often be changed or controlled by the individual.

Common Intrinsic factors of Injury:
Age – the older we are the easier it is to get injured
Congenital abnormalities – some people are born joint or muscle problems
Previous injuries – previously injured joints or muscles often lack proper function

Common Extrinsic factors of Injury:
Equipment – improper grip size of tennis racquet, worn out running shoes
Playing surface – playing soccer on hard surfaces, uneven treadmill
Improper technique – improper golf grip or swing
Poor conditioning – doing activity when out of shape
Lack of warm-up – not stretching or preparing for activity
Increased frequency or duration – not building up slowly
Flexibility – too stiff to do activity correctly
Stress – being tired or stressed can cause number 3 or 7

As we can see there are more factor that are extrinsic and therefore within our control. However most of us need assessment by a qualified health professional to determine the nature of the injury as well as the solution to the problem as left untreated these injuries can greatly affect ones life and limit a favorite activity. Besides eliminating the cause treatment is often required to stabilize the condition. The treatment might include joint manipulation, massage, therapy modalities, bracing and specific exercises.

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The complexity of the shoulder joint allows it to perform many different movements and activities. Anatomically, the shoulder involves three different bones – the scapula, the clavicle, and the humerus – many connecting ligaments, and approximately 20 different muscles. The main articulation, the glenohumeral joint, is connected by ligaments and a group of muscles (and their tendon attachments) known as the rotator cuff. Problems with the rotator cuff are common causes of shoulder pain and disability. As with other joints, shoulder problems can be caused by trauma as with sports injuries, mechanical dysfunction due to imbalances in the muscles, or by wear and tear of the tissues surrounding the joint. Arthritic changes due occur in the shoulder joint though not as commonly as the weight bearing joints of the spine, hips and knees.

Anatomy

Problems in the shoulder often originate in the cervical spine as the nerves from this region innervate all of the muscles and other tissues of the shoulder, elbow, arm and hand. If these nerves are irritated, the shoulder muscles can become tight or weak causing dysfunction in the normal mechanics of the joint, especially in the rotator cuff. A similar situation can occur if one overuses the shoulder in sports such as tennis and golf or other repetitive activities that causes the muscles of the joint to become overly tight or strained. People who sit too much in a slouched position or with the shoulders held forward are also at risk at developing these imbalances and shoulder problems.

Rotator Cuff Syndrome

Regardless of the reason, if the imbalances and irritation to the shoulder are not corrected, pain and limitation of normal motion will eventually develop. The severity can vary from a slight catching or pain to an almost complete inability to use the shoulder. This painful condition is often called Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Syndrome and can afflict individuals of all ages.

Frozen Shoulder

Another common problem is ” frozen shoulder. ” This often debilitating condition occurs when the ligaments and tendons of the glenohumeral joint get so irritated that adhesions develop making the joint almost stuck together. This results in an extreme limitation of shoulder motion and pain that makes it difficult for some individuals to even get dressed! Left alone frozen shoulder can take several years to resolve on its own if ever, and therefore needs attention by a professional such as a chiropractor. There are many other disorders of the shoulder although those mentioned above are by far the most common. More information can be found by linking to sports injuries.

Treatment

The treatment of most conditions of the shoulder is basically the same. One must correct muscle imbalances with either soft tissue mobilization modalities, restore proper mobility to the shoulder joints and of course correct any subluxations in the spine. Special rehabilitation exercises advised by your Tampa chiropractor are also essential in order for a full & fast recovery.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Causes

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

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

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

Treatment

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

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When the body is viewed from behind, a normal spine appears straight without much deviation from side-to-side. However if the spine is observed to have a lateral or side-to-side curvature, the person might have a condition called scoliosis. This disorder often gives the appearance of the person leaning to one side though it should not be confused with poor posture. Scoliosis is a complicated deformity that is characterized by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra often causing a characteristic rib hump in the mid or thoracic spine. This is caused by the vertebrae in the area of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their attached ribs posterior causing the characteristic rib hump seen in thoracic scoliosis. If the thoracic curve and rib rotation is severe, greater than 70 degrees, pulmonary and cardiac function can be impeded. This amount of curve and subsequent cardiac and pulmonary changes are often seen later in life in untreated severe idiopathic infantile and juvenile scoliosis patients and present a threat to life.

Anatomy

If one is to observe the trunk from a side view, the spine will demonstrate four normal curves, the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral. The thoracic or chest area has a normal round back called a kyphosis, while in the lower spine there is a swayback, or lordosis. Increased kyphosis in the thoracic area is correctly called hyperkyphosis while increased swayback is termed hyperlordosis. Changes from normal on a side view frequently accompany scoliosis changes. Some round back deformities are simply due to bad posture can often being corrected with postural exercises. A small percentage of patients with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are associated with vertebral deformity. This type is called Scheuermann’s kyphosis and is much more difficult to treat than postural kyphosis. Its cause is unknown.

A layman can even help to identify a child or person with scoliosis by simply observing the person in the standing position, preferably with out a shirt and in their underpants, and observing the following:
One shoulder may be higher than the other.
One scapula (shoulder blade) may be higher or more prominent than the other.
With the arms hanging loosely at the side, there may be more space between the arm and the body on one side.
One hip may appear to be higher or more prominent than the other.
The head is not centered over the pelvis.
When the patient is examined from the rear and asked to bend forward until the spine is horizontal, one side of the back appears higher than the other.

Once identified, the child should be sent to a health-care professional such as a chiropractor for further evaluation.

There are many different causes and varieties of scoliosis but by far the most common is Idiopathic scoliosis and accounts for about 85 % of all cases. “Idiopathic” means no known cause and is seen with equal frequency in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. This disorder can be sub classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent types, depending upon the age of onset. Idiopathic scoliosis frequently runs in families and may be due to genetic or hereditary influences. However girls, for unknown reasons, are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves increase in size and require treatment. The most frequent time for the development of Idiopathic scoliosis is during adolescence when children are completing the last major growth spurt. At this age young people are reluctant to allow their bodies to be seen by parents and other adults so it is very important to have this age group examined on a regular basis.

If a scoliotic curve is found in the growing adolescent, it is very important that the curves be monitored for change by periodic examination and some times standing X-rays. In ninety percent of cases, the scoliosis are mild and do not require active treatment though increases in spinal deformity require evaluation to determine if brace or other treatment is required. In a small number of patients, surgical treatment may be needed.

Brace treatment (orthosis) is recommended for both juvenile and adolescent children observed to be increasing with their scoliosis or kyphosis and newly identified cases of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis. There are many types of braces, all designed to prevent curves from increasing by acting as a buttress for the spine to prevent the curve from increasing during active skeletal growth. Braces will not usually make the spine perfectly straight, and cannot always keep a curve from increasing. However, bracing is effective in halting curve progression in a significant percentage of skeletally immature adolescents.

There is no simple solution for scoliosis. The majority of cases though often monitored are not actively treated. The standard medical treatment for moderate cases is a brace where the severe cases are sometimes corrected surgically.

Besides bracing many other methods have been used including specialized exercise, electric stimulation of spinal muscles, nutritional programs, and chiropractic treatments. It seems that the best results have been maintained with a multifactorial approach to the management of this condition.

There are chiropractors that are specializing in these cases though most chiropractors are familiar with the scoliosis cases.

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

Anatomy

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

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

Some accepted causes and associated conditions are:

• repetitive and forceful grasping with the hands

• prolonged computer usage especially with poor wrist position

• activities that require repetitive bending of the wrist

• broken or dislocated bones in the wrist which produce swelling

• arthritis, especially the rheumatoid type

• thyroid gland imbalance

• sugar diabetes

• hormonal changes associated with menopause or pregnancy

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

Treatment

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

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