Showing posts with label sciatica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sciatica. Show all posts
Friday, July 2, 2010
Health Related Workshops
I am giving a series of health related workshops covering topics such as sciatica, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, low back pain, and neck pain. Each workshop will about 20 minutes long and will discuss common causes and treatments, as well as demonstrations of some things you can do on your own to help. I will also be allowing a question and answer period where people can get questions about their specific problems answered. Check out our website at www.thefixchiro.com for complete details and a schedule of topics. No cost, No Obligation, Refreshments provided.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
What is a Chiropractor? What Kinds of Problems do They Treat?
What is a Chiropractor? What Kinds of Problems do They Treat?
A chiropractor, or Doctor of Chiropractic, is a licensed physician with the educational and professional expertise in the area of treating musculoskeletal disorders of the spine; in other words, they are experts at treating symptoms such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Chiropractors commonly work with problems such as sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, disc problems, arthritis, and many others.
The word Chiropractor comes from the Greek words for “hand” and “practice or treat”, so Chiropractic literally means “treating with the hands”. This definition is very appropriate to the practice of Chiropractic, as Chiropractors work with their hands to “adjust” or “mobilize” the joints of the spine in order to provide a drug and surgery free method of relieving a person’s symptoms and restoring their spine back to normal health. Chiropractors rely on different adjusting techniques to correct postural problems, reduce structural misalignments, and improve joint range of motion. A Chiropractic adjustment is a specific movement or maneuver performed by a Chiropractor that includes the proper force, speed, and direction in order to effectively move or mobilize the bones of the spine. Chiropractors rely on their extensive background in spinal anatomy combined with years of hands-on education to provide adjustments in a comfortable, pain free, and safe manner.
Before beginning adjustments on a patient, Chiropractors typically take a thorough history, including information about the patient’s presenting problems, as well as past health history, relevant family health history, and a review of systems. A Chiropractor also performs a complete orthopedic and neurological exam to determine if the patient is a candidate for Chiropractic adjustments or if a referral needs to be made. The exam also helps to determine the projected length of treatment and expected outcomes. In some offices x-rays may be taken or referred out, depending on the needs of the patient.
Besides treating musculoskeletal conditions of the spine, many Chiropractors are heavily involved in preventative health measures as well. They are advocates of proper nutrition, exercise, non-smoking, natural foods, limited use of medications, proper posture, and proper biomechanics while at work. Many Chiropractors also recommend maintaining the health of the spine through the process of regular “maintenance” adjustments.
This has been a brief overview, for more information about the practice of Chiropractic, call or visit a local Chiropractor in your area.
Dr. Calvin Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor of nine (9) years is the owner of The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY. For more information please visit the website at www.thefixchiro.com, or telephone at 270-450-0848, or visit the office in The Village Business Center (behind The Home Depot, next to Dallas Medical and David Spicer Jewelers) in Paducah, KY.
A chiropractor, or Doctor of Chiropractic, is a licensed physician with the educational and professional expertise in the area of treating musculoskeletal disorders of the spine; in other words, they are experts at treating symptoms such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Chiropractors commonly work with problems such as sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, disc problems, arthritis, and many others.
The word Chiropractor comes from the Greek words for “hand” and “practice or treat”, so Chiropractic literally means “treating with the hands”. This definition is very appropriate to the practice of Chiropractic, as Chiropractors work with their hands to “adjust” or “mobilize” the joints of the spine in order to provide a drug and surgery free method of relieving a person’s symptoms and restoring their spine back to normal health. Chiropractors rely on different adjusting techniques to correct postural problems, reduce structural misalignments, and improve joint range of motion. A Chiropractic adjustment is a specific movement or maneuver performed by a Chiropractor that includes the proper force, speed, and direction in order to effectively move or mobilize the bones of the spine. Chiropractors rely on their extensive background in spinal anatomy combined with years of hands-on education to provide adjustments in a comfortable, pain free, and safe manner.
Before beginning adjustments on a patient, Chiropractors typically take a thorough history, including information about the patient’s presenting problems, as well as past health history, relevant family health history, and a review of systems. A Chiropractor also performs a complete orthopedic and neurological exam to determine if the patient is a candidate for Chiropractic adjustments or if a referral needs to be made. The exam also helps to determine the projected length of treatment and expected outcomes. In some offices x-rays may be taken or referred out, depending on the needs of the patient.
Besides treating musculoskeletal conditions of the spine, many Chiropractors are heavily involved in preventative health measures as well. They are advocates of proper nutrition, exercise, non-smoking, natural foods, limited use of medications, proper posture, and proper biomechanics while at work. Many Chiropractors also recommend maintaining the health of the spine through the process of regular “maintenance” adjustments.
This has been a brief overview, for more information about the practice of Chiropractic, call or visit a local Chiropractor in your area.
Dr. Calvin Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor of nine (9) years is the owner of The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY. For more information please visit the website at www.thefixchiro.com, or telephone at 270-450-0848, or visit the office in The Village Business Center (behind The Home Depot, next to Dallas Medical and David Spicer Jewelers) in Paducah, KY.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
What is Sciatica? How can it be Treated?
Sciatica generally refers to any set of symptoms running into the leg, which can include pain, numbness, burning, tingling, or all of the above. Sciatic symptoms can go part way down the leg or all the way to the toes, depending on the severity of the condition. Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve or other nerves of the spine are compressed as they leave the spine and travel down the leg. It is important to understand that sciatica refers to the symptoms of pain, numbness, or tingling, and not the condition that is causing them. Sciatica can be caused by bulged or herniated discs, a muscle problem known as Piriformis Syndrome, Spinal Stenosis, chronic back problems, or complications from a back injury.
Treatment of Sciatica involves applying measures to control or reduce the resulting inflammation and swelling around the sciatic nerve, as well as measures to correct the causative condition. The application of ice is an effective means of reducing swelling and inflammation, however, the ice should not be applied on the leg where the symptoms are being experienced, rather, in the area of the lower back or hip were the symptoms originate. Ice should be used only 15-20 minutes at a time with 30minutes between applications. There are over-the-counter medications that can be used for control of swelling and inflammation, but should be used short-term only.
For diagnosis and treatment of the cause of the sciatica, it is best to turn to a qualified health care professional. For the treatment of non-complicated Sciatica, both Chiropractic and Physical Therapy have been shown to be superior treatment methods when compared with treatment by a medical doctor using pharmaceuticals. Physical Therapists can work with the different muscles involved in order to reduce the tightness of the muscles and increase range of motion. Chiropractors can also work with the affected muscles, but also employ spinal adjusting or “spinal mobilization” to directly relieve the pressure off of the nerves and speed up the healing process.
If you are experiencing Sciatica or similar symptoms, it is best to be evaluated by a Chiropractor or Physical Therapist in your area to determine what type of sciatica you have, and to determine the proper course of treatment.
Dr. Calvin Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor of nine (9) years is the owner of The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY. For more information please the website at www.thefixchiro.com, or telephone at 270-450-0848, or visit the office in The Village Business Center (behind The Home Depot, next to Dallas Medical and David Spicer Jewelers) in Paducah, KY.
Treatment of Sciatica involves applying measures to control or reduce the resulting inflammation and swelling around the sciatic nerve, as well as measures to correct the causative condition. The application of ice is an effective means of reducing swelling and inflammation, however, the ice should not be applied on the leg where the symptoms are being experienced, rather, in the area of the lower back or hip were the symptoms originate. Ice should be used only 15-20 minutes at a time with 30minutes between applications. There are over-the-counter medications that can be used for control of swelling and inflammation, but should be used short-term only.
For diagnosis and treatment of the cause of the sciatica, it is best to turn to a qualified health care professional. For the treatment of non-complicated Sciatica, both Chiropractic and Physical Therapy have been shown to be superior treatment methods when compared with treatment by a medical doctor using pharmaceuticals. Physical Therapists can work with the different muscles involved in order to reduce the tightness of the muscles and increase range of motion. Chiropractors can also work with the affected muscles, but also employ spinal adjusting or “spinal mobilization” to directly relieve the pressure off of the nerves and speed up the healing process.
If you are experiencing Sciatica or similar symptoms, it is best to be evaluated by a Chiropractor or Physical Therapist in your area to determine what type of sciatica you have, and to determine the proper course of treatment.
Dr. Calvin Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor of nine (9) years is the owner of The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY. For more information please the website at www.thefixchiro.com, or telephone at 270-450-0848, or visit the office in The Village Business Center (behind The Home Depot, next to Dallas Medical and David Spicer Jewelers) in Paducah, KY.
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