The Scoliosis Double Major 3D animated educational video can be found listed under “Types of Pain” in the Back Pain Section along with other back pain,injuries, conditions and diseases.

Back Pain - Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine that causes stiffness and pain. It is called an idiopathic disease because the cause of it is unknown. Scoliosis is more common in females and begins in childhood. However, merely 2 percent of the population is afflicted. If it is detected early, scoliosis treatment will prevent it from worsening over time.

The Cause

Scoliosis is derived from the Greek term meaning curvature. People with scoliosis have a sideways curve in their spine that makes an “S” or “C” shape. The vertebrae can rotate at the thoracic level of the spine causing this curve and resulting in a hump near the rib cage. If the curve is more than 60 degrees it is considered serious. Usually this curve makes the waist or shoulders uneven. And unlike the normal curvature of the spine, adjusting your posture will not correct the problem.

In some instances, the degenerative diseases of the spine can cause scoliosis. Osteoporosis is when the bones become brittle and usually occurs in older people. This softening can cause the vertebrae to bend and shape the curve causing scoliosis or kyphosis (round back). If not treated properly, severe back pain, deformity, and difficulty breathing can be some symptoms that will arise.

Chiropractic care can help improve this condition. We look at your overall health examining your spine as well as other factors of your lifestyle. To help identify the problem’s cause, we will discuss symptoms and previous injuries, your family’s health history, and recreational and work-related activities.

Regular visits to observe the progression of scoliosis are an integral part of living a full and happy life. Scoliosis can be treated in various ways to help alleviate pain and restore normal function. Regardless of the treatment used, physical therapy may be added to scoliosis treatment to increase muscle strength and mobility. If you have any questions about your physical limitations, please contact us.

The Scoliosis 3D Animated educational video can be found listed under “Types of Pain” in the Back Pain Section along with other back pain,injuries, conditions and diseases.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine that causes stiffness and pain. It is called an idiopathic disease because the cause of it is unknown. Scoliosis is more common in females and begins in childhood. However, merely 2 percent of the population is afflicted. If it is detected early, scoliosis treatment will prevent it from worsening over time.

The Cause

Scoliosis is derived from the Greek term meaning curvature. People with scoliosis have a sideways curve in their spine that makes an “S” or “C” shape. The vertebrae can rotate at the thoracic level of the spine causing this curve and resulting in a hump near the rib cage. If the curve is more than 60 degrees it is considered serious. Usually this curve makes the waist or shoulders uneven. And unlike the normal curvature of the spine, adjusting your posture will not correct the problem.

In some instances, the degenerative diseases of the spine can cause scoliosis. Osteoporosis is when the bones become brittle and usually occurs in older people. This softening can cause the vertebrae to bend and shape the curve causing scoliosis or kyphosis (round back). If not treated properly, severe back pain, deformity, and difficulty breathing can be some symptoms that will arise.

Chiropractic care can help improve this condition. We look at your overall health examining your spine as well as other factors of your lifestyle. To help identify the problem’s cause, we will discuss symptoms and previous injuries, your family’s health history, and recreational and work-related activities.

Regular visits to observe the progression of scoliosis are an integral part of living a full and happy life. Scoliosis can be treated in various ways to help alleviate pain and restore normal function. Regardless of the treatment used, physical therapy may be added to scoliosis treatment to increase muscle strength and mobility. If you have any questions about your physical limitations, please contact us.

A further 32 animated educational videos are available to view, these can be found listed under “Types of Pain” in their various  ”Pain ” named sections

Disc Degeneration and Lower back Pain

What Is It?

Lower Back Pain

Eighty percent of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctors. In fact, it is estimated that low back pain affects more than half of the adult population each year and more than 15% of all people experience frequent bouts of low back pain.

Among the many causes of back pain, the most common by far is a sprain or strain of muscles, ligaments and joints. Muscle spasm can occur after twisting or bending awkwardly, or from a simple sneeze or cough. The majority of muscle spasms tend to get better over time.  The inter-vertebral discs may also be commonly affected.

The susceptibility of the low back to injury and pain is due to the fact that the low back, like the neck, is an unstable part of the spine, unlike the thoracic spine, which is supported by the rib cage. This instability allows us to have a great deal of mobility to touch our toes, tie our shoes or pick something up from ground level, but at the cost of increased risk of injury.

The low back can withstand tremendous forces as long as it is healthy and functioning correctly. However, if the low back is out of alignment or has weakened supporting muscles, something as simple as putting a bag or suit case in and out of the boot of a car, picking something up off the floor, or simply bending down can cause a low back injury.

Studies have shown that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, and is very likely to return. The importance of taking low back pain seriously cannot be stressed enough. 

Disc Degeneration 

What Is It?

Disc Degeneration is a wear and tear process of the inter-vertebral discs. This may be just a case of increased wear and tear as we get older or excessive wear and tear earlier in life due to work or strenuous sports or lifestyle activities.  Symptoms may include any of the following 

• Low Back pain
• Groin pain
• Buttock pain
• Thigh pain
• Calf/Shin pain
• Ankle/Foot pain
• Toe pain

Often, there may also be pins and needles, dullness, numbness, cold, heat, weakness associated with the pain.

How Does It Happen?

Disc problems are common causes of back pain. After an injury, or as we age, discs lose fluid content and deteriorate in a process called disc degeneration. The earliest form of disc injury is in the form of tears or fissures in the annulus fibrosis (outer portion) of the disc. The annulus fibrosis is very much is like a large round ligament that prevents the nucleus pulposus (inner gel-like portion) of the disc from protruding outward. Tears in the annulus heal by scar formation which weakens the disc further. The repetitive annular tears which heal by forming scar tissue lead to a disc that begins to degenerate.

As degeneration progresses the disc becomes stiff, narrow, and losses its ability to act as a shock absorber thus leading to increased stress being put on the bones of the spine causing formation of bone spurs or osteophytes. If bone spurs get large enough, they may cause pressure on nerves in the spinal canal which could present as numbness or weakness in the legs depending on the spinal level being affected. The combination of disc degeneration and bone spur formation in the spine is called spondylosis. Any narrowing within the spinal canal, from bone spur formation or from any other cause such as a prolapsed disc or thickening of the ligaments of the spine is called spinal stenosis. Spondylosis or spinal stenosis can occur at any region in the spine: cervical, thoracic, or lumbar.

 What Should You Do?

It is strongly recommended you seek the assistance of a local health care professional, who can then carry out a thorough case history, examination and carry out treatment if appropriate. If the health care professional cannot help you, then they should tell you so and either arrange further tests if necessary (X-Rays, MRI/CT scans, ultrasound scans, blood tests, urine tests etc) or refer you onwards to another appropriately qualified professional.

What Shouldn’t You Do?

DO NOT IGNORE the problem! From time to time we all have neck or low back pain after sleeping awkwardly, which normally subsides within 2-3 days. Obviously in that scenario, no treatment is required. However, if the problem persists or gets any worse, then you should seek professional advice.

Long Term Effects

Don’t forget, disc degeneration is as it says on the tin “degeneration”, meaning it doesn’t happen overnight. Therefore, it is likely that you may get recurring symptoms and because of that some patients prefer to be seen from time to time almost like an MOT for your car. Obviously your body is a lot more complicated than your car, but many people tend to look after their cars much better than they look after themselves.

Diagnosis

Seek professional advice and start by getting a diagnosis and then discuss the options with your healthcare professional.

BULGING DISC and Lower back Pain

What Is It?

Lower Back Pain

Eighty percent of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctors. In fact, it is estimated that low back pain affects more than half of the adult population each year and more than 15% of all people experience frequent bouts of low back pain.

Among the many causes of back pain, the most common by far is a sprain or strain of muscles, ligaments and joints. Muscle spasm can occur after twisting or bending awkwardly, or from a simple sneeze or cough. The majority of muscle spasms tend to get better over time.  The inter-vertebral discs may also be commonly affected.

The susceptibility of the low back to injury and pain is due to the fact that the low back, like the neck, is an unstable part of the spine, unlike the thoracic spine, which is supported by the rib cage. This instability allows us to have a great deal of mobility to touch our toes, tie our shoes or pick something up from ground level, but at the cost of increased risk of injury.

The low back can withstand tremendous forces as long as it is healthy and functioning correctly. However, if the low back is out of alignment or has weakened supporting muscles, something as simple as putting a bag or suit case in and out of the boot of a car, picking something up off the floor, or simply bending down can cause a low back injury.

Studies have shown that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, and is very likely to return. The importance of taking low back pain seriously cannot be stressed enough.

Bulging Disc

What Is It?

The above term generally describes a disc that is displaced beyond the limits of the inter-vertebral disc space i.e. the borders of annulus fibrous (the outer fibrous part of the disc). To say that the disc slips isn’t strictly true, it bulges or protrudes. The correct term to use would be herniated disc.

Disc prolapse or herniation is the protrusion of the central portion of the disc through a tear in the outer annular wall of the disc. If disc prolapse results in the compression (direct or indirect) of the nerve root it would cause symptoms of pain, numbness, or weakness. In some individuals however, disc protrusions will not cause any symptoms. A disc extrusion is a severe version of a disc protrusion in which a large portion of the nucleus pulposus is displaced through the wall of the disc. A disc extrusion would almost always result in the symptoms of nerve root compression.

Disc Herniations

A herniated disc does not automatically mean that you may suffer from low back pain. In one study almost 60% of all adults had at least one bulging or herniated disc, even though they did not experience any back pain. However, herniated discs can be a source of severe and debilitating pain, which may radiate to other areas of the body. Unfortunately, when discs herniate, they rarely, completely heal.

Symptoms may include any of the following:

• Low Back pain
• Groin pain
• Buttock pain
• Thigh pain
• Calf/Shin pain
• Ankle/Foot pain
• Toe pain

Often, there may also be pins and needles, dullness, numbness, cold, heat, weakness associated with the pain.

How Does It Happen?

Disc problems are common causes of back pain. After an injury, or as we age, discs lose fluid content and deteriorate in a process called disc degeneration. The earliest form of disc injury is in the form of tears or fissures in the annulus fibrosis (outer portion) of the disc. The annulus fibrosis is very much like a large round ligament that prevents the nucleus pulposus (inner gel-like portion) of the disc from protruding outward. Tears in the annulus heal by scar formation which weakens the disc further. The repetitive annular tears which heal by forming scar tissue lead to a disc that begins to degenerate.

A herniation begins when the inner nucleus pulposus bulges through the annulus fibrosis, causing a bulging or protruding disc ie the disc is sticking out a bit. This bulge can put pressure on a spinal nerve root. This can then interfere with the natural blood supply to the nerve root and set up a condition known as intra-neural oedema. Basically, as the nerve root is compressed the micro-circulation is reduced and can progress to the point where the nucleus begins to leak out of the disc. At this point the body begins to fight back by launching an autoimmune response to the disc material (nucleus pulposus).

The reaction of this defence mechanism causes severe inflammation and progressive deterioration of the nerve root. If the herniated disc is located in the lumbar spine (low back), the symptoms can cause low back pain, with or without leg pain. Sometimes numbness, tingling or muscle weakness can occur too.

What Should You Do?

It is strongly recommended you seek the assistance of a local health care professional, who can then carry out a thorough case history, examination and carry out treatment if appropriate. If the health care professional cannot help you, then they should tell you so and either arrange further tests if necessary (X-Rays, MRI/CT scans, ultrasound scans, blood tests, urine tests etc) or refer you onwards to another appropriately qualified professional.

What Shouldn’t You Do?

DO NOT IGNORE the problem! From time to time we all have neck or low back pain after sleeping awkwardly, which normally subsides within 2-3 days. Obviously in that scenario, no treatment is required. However, if the problem persists or gets any worse, then you should seek professional advice.

Long Term Effects

As stated earlier, many people will have one or more disc herniations, but no symptoms at all. The point here is that the early phase of degeneration of the disc has already taken place. Although pain may occur immediately as you bend, lift, cough or sneeze, the damage has been done way before that. This makes sense because everyone knows they have carried out these actions thousands of times before without any problems.

Therefore, it is likely that you may get recurring symptoms and because of that some patients prefer to be seen from time to time almost like an MOT for your car. Obviously your body is a lot more complicated than your car, but many people tend to look after their cars much better than they look after themselves.

Diagnosis

Seek professional advice and start by getting a diagnosis and then discuss the options with your healthcare professional.

SLIPPED DISC and Lower back Pain

What Is It?

Lower Back Pain

Eighty percent of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctors. In fact, it is estimated that low back pain affects more than half of the adult population each year and more than 15% of all people experience frequent bouts of low back pain.

Among the many causes of back pain, the most common by far is a sprain or strain of muscles, ligaments and joints. Muscle spasm can occur after twisting or bending awkwardly, or from a simple sneeze or cough. The majority of muscle spasms tend to get better over time.  The inter-vertebral discs may also be commonly affected.

The susceptibility of the low back to injury and pain is due to the fact that the low back, like the neck, is an unstable part of the spine, unlike the thoracic spine, which is supported by the rib cage. This instability allows us to have a great deal of mobility to touch our toes, tie our shoes or pick something up from ground level, but at the cost of increased risk of injury.

The low back can withstand tremendous forces as long as it is healthy and functioning correctly. However, if the low back is out of alignment or has weakened supporting muscles, something as simple as putting a bag or suit case in and out of the boot of a car, picking something up off the floor, or simply bending down can cause a low back injury.

Studies have shown that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, and is very likely to return. The importance of taking low back pain seriously cannot be stressed enough.

Slipped Disc

What Is It?

The above term generally describes a disc that is displaced beyond the limits of the inter-vertebral disc space i.e. the borders of annulus fibrous (the outer fibrous part of the disc). To say that the disc slips isn’t strictly true, it bulges or protrudes. The correct term to use would be herniated disc.

Disc prolapse or herniation is the protrusion of the central portion of the disc through a tear in the outer annular wall of the disc. If disc prolapse results in the compression (direct or indirect) of the nerve root it would cause symptoms of pain, numbness, or weakness. In some individuals however, disc protrusions will not cause any symptoms. A disc extrusion is a severe version of a disc protrusion in which a large portion of the nucleus pulposus is displaced through the wall of the disc. A disc extrusion would almost always result in the symptoms of nerve root compression.

Disc Herniations

A herniated disc does not automatically mean that you may suffer from low back pain. In one study almost 60% of all adults had at least one bulging or herniated disc, even though they did not experience any back pain. However, herniated discs can be a source of severe and debilitating pain, which may radiate to other areas of the body. Unfortunately, when discs herniate, they rarely, completely heal.

Symptoms may include any of the following:

 Low Back pain

• Groin pain
• Buttock pain
• Thigh pain
• Calf/Shin pain
• Ankle/Foot pain
• Toe pain

Often, there may also be pins and needles, dullness, numbness, cold, heat, weakness associated with the pain. 

How Does It Happen?

Disc problems are common causes of back pain. After an injury, or as we age, discs lose fluid content and deteriorate in a process called disc degeneration. The earliest form of disc injury is in the form of tears or fissures in the annulus fibrosis (outer portion) of the disc. The annulus fibrosis is very much like a large round ligament that prevents the nucleus pulposus (inner gel-like portion) of the disc from protruding outward. Tears in the annulus heal by scar formation which weakens the disc further. The repetitive annular tears which heal by forming scar tissue lead to a disc that begins to degenerate.

A herniation begins when the inner nucleus pulposus bulges through the annulus fibrosis, causing a bulging or protruding disc ie the disc is sticking out a bit. This bulge can put pressure on a spinal nerve root. This can then interfere with the natural blood supply to the nerve root and set up a condition known as intra-neural oedema. Basically, as the nerve root is compressed the micro-circulation is reduced and can progress to the point where the nucleus begins to leak out of the disc. At this point the body begins to fight back by launching an autoimmune response to the disc material (nucleus pulposus).

The reaction of this defence mechanism causes severe inflammation and progressive deterioration of the nerve root. If the herniated disc is located in the lumbar spine (low back), the symptoms can cause low back pain, with or without leg pain. Sometimes numbness, tingling or muscle weakness can occur too.

What Should You Do?

It is strongly recommended you seek the assistance of a local health care professional, who can then carry out a thorough case history, examination and carry out treatment if appropriate. If the health care professional cannot help you, then they should tell you so and either arrange further tests if necessary (X-Rays, MRI/CT scans, ultrasound scans, blood tests, urine tests etc) or refer you onwards to another appropriately qualified professional.

What Shouldn’t You Do?

DO NOT IGNORE the problem! From time to time we all have neck or low back pain after sleeping awkwardly, which normally subsides within 2-3 days. Obviously in that scenario, no treatment is required. However, if the problem persists or gets any worse, then you should seek professional advice. 

Long Term Effects

As stated earlier, many people will have one or more disc herniations, but no symptoms at all. The point here is that the early phase of degeneration of the disc has already taken place. Although pain may occur immediately as you bend, lift, cough or sneeze, the damage has been done way before that. This makes sense because everyone knows they have carried out these actions thousands of times before without any problems.

Therefore, it is likely that you may get recurring symptoms and because of that some patients prefer to be seen from time to time almost like an MOT for your car. Obviously your body is a lot more complicated than your car, but many people tend to look after their cars much better than they look after themselves.

Diagnosis

Seek professional advice and start by getting a diagnosis and then discuss the options with your healthcare professional.

For the management of Back Pain, here at Central Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Clinic we use the latest Low Level Lasers which accelerate the recovery and healing process, leading to a significant reduction in pain inflammation. A 5 star rating has been awarded to Low Level Laser Therapy, our laser section can be found listed under “Pain Relief,” please also view our “Low level Laser Testimonial Video”. 

When the spinal column suddenly becomes unstable 

 The normal  spinal column is made up of individual vertebral bodies; the cervical spine has 7 vertebrae, the thoracic spine 12 and the lumbar spine 5.  

The abnormale spinal column 

There are variations, especially in the lumbar spine. Some people have 4 or 6 vertebrae in their lumbar spine, during the embryonic stage there may also be problems in the development of the vertebrae. One such example of this is the incomplete closure of the spinal arch (spina bifida). Such malformations can affect the interplay of the entire chain of vertebrae in the spinal column. 

Spondylolisthesis  

 If the vertebrae start to slip or move out of place (spondylolisthesis), symptoms do not necessarily occur immediately. However, the space in the spinal canal becomes severely restricted. This spinal canal houses our nerve structures: the spinal cord runs through the cervical and thoracic spinal canal and it continues through the central and lower lumbar spine as a bundle of nerve fibres. Between each vertebra the nerve fibres have connections to other parts of the body. If one disc slips, the spinal canal narrows and the nerves are restricted. The spinal column gradually narrows as we get older as a result of natural wear and tear on the spinal column. In conjunction with a slipped disc this can cause considerable discomfort. 

Symptoms 

It becomes increasingly difficult to walk for a long time. Initially pain is felt in the back, but this then spreads to the leg. Under stress or strain, patients sometimes feel a general weakness in the legs and unsteadiness when walking. 

Treatment 

Firstly it is very important make a careful diagnosis. We have to find out whether the narrowing of the spinal canal is caused by a slipped disc or degenerative changes. Once the diagnosis has been made you make an informed choice Chiropractic Treatment or invasive surgery 

Chiropractic Treatment 

Chiropractic can be a very effective approach when trying to manage your back pain. Treatment may include: manipulation, mobilisation, soft tissue work, Low Level laser Therapy or acupuncture.  Exercises may be advised ie stretching in the early phase of treatment and later strengthening to protect and help maintain good spinal function. Other lifestyle issues such as correct diet and posture may be discussed. 

Surgery 

In some rare instances chiropractic treatment may not rectify the original problem and therefore surgery may be required. If the main cause of the problem is degeneration and there is no significant instability in one particular segment, the spinal canal can be surgically extended. Where there is severe vertebral displacement, a screw fixation may be required. In even rarer cases surgery may not provide adequate benefit either. Patients must realise there is no guarantee that any intervention may result in the patient being 100% cured after treatment.

Also available are 32 3D animated educational videos  for various Back Pain, injuries and conditions such as (1) Sciatica (2) Degenerative disc (3) Herniated disc (4) Facet Joints (5) Scoliosis (6) Kyphosis Posture (7) Back Neck and Pain Decompression (they can be found under the listing ”Types of Pain” in our “Back Pain” Section).   

For pain management and Back Pain at Central Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Clinic, we use the latest Low Level Lasers which accelerate the recovery and healing process, leading to a significant reduction in pain inflammation. A 5 star rating has been awarded to Low Level Laser Therapy, our laser section can be found listed under ”Pain Relief”, please also view our  ”Low level Laser Testimonial Video”.  

Back Pain 

Disc Degeneration 

Disc problems are common causes of back pain. After an injury, or as we age, discs lose fluid content and deteriorate in a process called disc degeneration. 

The earliest form of injury to a disc is in the form of tears or fissures in the annulus fibrosis (outer portion) of the disc. The annulus fibrosis is very much is like a large round ligament that prevents the nucleus pulposus (inner gel-like portion) of the disc from protruding outward. Tears in the annulus heal by scar formation weakening the tissue. The repetitive annular tears which heal by scar formation lead to a disc that begins to degenerate. 

As degeneration progresses the disc becomes stiff, narrow, and losses its ability to act as a shock absorber. Loss of shock absorbing capacity of the disc leads to increased stress being put on the bones of the spine causing formation of bone sours or osteophytes. If bone spurs get large enough, they may cause pressure on nerves in the spinal canal which would present as numbness and weakness in the arms or legs depending on the spinal level being affected. The combination of disc degeneration and bone spur formation in the spine is called spondylosis. Any narrowing within the spinal canal, from bone spur formation or from any other cause such as disc prolapsed of thickening of the ligaments of the spine is called spinal stenosis. Spondylosis or spinal stenosis can occur at any region in the spine: cervical, thoracic or lumbar.

Also available are 32 3D animated educational videos for various Pain, injuries and conditions, they can be found under the listing “Types of Pain” Section.  

For pain management for Sacroiliac Joint Pain Sprain or Strain and Back and Hip Pain at Central Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Clinic, we use the latest Low Level Lasers which accelerate the recovery and healing process, leading to a significant reduction in pain inflammation. A 5 star rating has been awarded to Low Level Laser Therapy; our laser section can be found listed under “Pain Relief “

Pregnancy Pain

Pre-existing pelvic and spinal imbalances usually become overtaxed when pregnant. The added stress leads to discomfort and difficulty while performing regular activities. Regular physical therapy throughout pregnancy can relieve the common discomforts experienced in pregnancy. At our Physiotherapy & Chiropractic Sports injury Clinic we accurately diagnose and treat all pregnancy-associated pain:

Chiropractic or Physiotherapy in Pregnancy

How can Chiropractic or Physiotherapy help me during pregnancy?

Pre-existing pelvic and spinal imbalances usually become overtaxed when pregnant. The added stress leads to discomfort and difficulty while performing regular activities. Regular physical therapy throughout pregnancy can relieve the common discomforts experienced in pregnancy. At our Physiotherapy & Chiropractic Sports injury Clinic we accurately diagnose and treat all pregnancy-associated pain:

• Back pain
• Hip pain
• Neck pain
• Sacro-iliac joint pain
• Sciatica

We give specific adjustments to restore balance and eliminate stresses in your pelvis and spine that result in greater comfort and a return to pain-free walking, sitting and lifting.

Pregnancy and pelvic joint pain explained

Can Chiropractic Care Help Me

Chiropractic care is a natural way to treat back pain during and after pregnancy. Your doctor of chiropractic is specially trained to determine the best treatment for your own individual needs.

History

You and your chiropractor will discuss your symptoms, if any, and your lifestyle. Gentle physical, orthopaedic (bone and muscle), and neurological (nerve) tests help reveal the condition of your spine. Gently pressing on the spine helps check for tenderness, pain, swelling, and restricted range of motion. These tests are safe for the baby and the pregnant mother.

Spinal Adjustments special chiropractic methods, called adjustments, can help relieve your back and leg pain. Adjustments cause no harm to the baby and are safe up until delivery. During an adjustment, your chiropractor gently presses on joints in the spine. This relieves pressure on nerves and restores motion and alignment. Adjustments can reduce pressure on nerves. They can also help restore alignment, improve mobility, and relieve pain and stiffness.

Related Treatment

Your chiropractor may suggest other types of treatment to improve your posture and relieve your back or leg pain. These may include ice or heat, massage, or gentle stretching exercises.
Your chiropractor can discuss these with you.

Why Are Regular Spinal Checkups Important!

Even if you don’t have back pain, having regular spinal checkups is one of the best ways to help prevent back pain during and after pregnancy. Giving birth is stressful on the spine. The extra bending and lifting you do as you care for your baby puts added stress on the spine, too. Your chiropractor can help you and your family manage or prevent spinal problems and maintain healthier lives.

Do Exercises for Your Back

Gentle exercises can help reduce back pain by increasing the flexibility of your spine. Your chiropractor can help you design an exercise program for your needs. Be sure to do each exercise exactly as directed by your chiropractor.

Sitting Twist

Lace your fingers together and point your elbows outward.

Slowly rotate your upper body to one side. Move your head and arms with your torso.

Slowly come back to the front. Then rotate to the other side.

Repeat 10 times on each side, or as directed.

What Causes Back and Leg Pain During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the increasing weight and size of the baby put stress on the spine’s three natural curves. As a result, changes in posture occur that can cause pain in your back or legs.

Increased Stress on Your Spine

As your baby grows, you carry more and more weight in front of you. This stretches your abdominal muscles. When you stand, the baby pulls down on the thoracic curve (middle back) and forward on the lumbar curve (lower back). The larger the baby grows, the more exaggerated these curves become.

This puts pressure on the joints in the spine. It may also put pressure on nerves, causing pain. The sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower spine down the legs, can also become irritated, causing pain in your legs. At the same time, joints in the pelvis loosen. This helps prepare you for delivery, but it can also irritate nerves in the spine.

What Can I Do to Ease Back and Leg Pain

Along with spinal adjustments, maintaining good posture, moving safely, exercising regularly, and eating right can help reduce stress on your spine and relieve pain.

Practice Good Posture

Good posture reduces stress on the joints, nerves, and muscles in your back. Keep your head and shoulders centred over your hips. When you sit, keep your knees level with your hips. To lift, end at the hips and knees, not the waist. Then lift with your legs. To reach, turn your whole body, not just your head and neck. Sleep on your side with your knees slightly bent. This relieves pressure on your spine. Put a pillow between your legs, beneath your abdomen, and under your neck-but not under your shoulder.

Pelvic joint pain explained

Although it appears to be a firmly fixed circle of bone, the pelvis is actually four separate bones jointed together – the sacrum and coccyx at the back and at the sides the two hip bones which curve around to meet at the front. These are joined at the front by the symphysis pubis.

“In pregnancy the hormone relaxin is released to soften the joints in preparation for the birth of your baby, but in around one in 40 women the hormone causes the ligaments to soften and stretch too much and become painful. It is normal for there to be a gap of 4-5mm between the two pubic points at the symphysis pubis joint and during any pregnancy this widens by another 3 mm. If this gap widens more than this pain may occur and in some cases a severe form of the condition called diastasis symphysis pubis is diagnosed.

The job of the symphysis pubis joint is to hold the pelvis steady when we’re using our legs, and if the ligaments have softened or stretched too much it won’t work properly and strain is put on the other pelvic joints, causing pain.

How to recognise SPD

The main symptoms are pain in your pubic area, groin, the inside of your thighs and sometimes in your lower back and hips. “The pain is worse when you walk or move and climbing stairs is especially painful. Getting in and out of the car or turning in bed is also painful  There  might hear a clicking sound when you walk and feel as though the bones are grinding together. Parting your legs can be difficult and painful.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, don’t let your doctor or midwife dismisses them as ‘part of being pregnant’. The condition is now more widely recognised than it was a few years ago. It can be diagnosed by examining your pelvic joints and watching how you move. If it occurs after giving birth, as it does in a few cases, a pelvic X-ray or scan can be done. “You’ll normally have a urine sample taken too to exclude any other causes of pain such as a urine infection   SPD normally happens from the second trimester of pregnancy onwards, but can occur at any stage in any pregnancy, even if you’ve never suffered before.

Treating SPD

• The best person to treat SPD is a Chiropractor, and usually your midwife can refer you.
•  A pelvic support garment to wear such as a belt or Tubigrip bandage, and crutches if walking is difficult. You’ll also be given gentle exercises to help strengthen the muscles supporting the joint and general advice about posture and activities to avoid. They will also discuss delivery options and positions with you. If necessary, you can also be referred to an occupational therapist for other aids to make your daily life easier.
• The most effective alternative therapies, according to the British SPD Support Group, include chiropractic which can help to relieve joint pain.
• In most cases you’ll be fully recovered in six months after giving birth, but if the pain continues, surgery to fix the joints together may be considered.
• Rest as much as you can.
• Avoid movements that place extra strain on the symphysis pubis. When you get out of bed, roll out with both legs together. When climbing stairs, go one step at a time. Avoid breast stroke when swimming.

How will it affect my labour?

• Make sure anyone attending you is aware that you have SPD. Your midwife should measure how far you can comfortably widen your legs at the onset of labour and ensure that you don’t exceed this.
• “If you have an epidural or spinal block injection, it’s particularly important to ensure you don’t exceed the comfortable gap as you won’t be able to feel any damage you do.
• In very severe cases, an elective caesarean may be considered.
• Make sure you’re in a comfortable position before any internal examinations are performed.
• Experiment with different positions for giving birth, kneeling on all fours may be more comfortable for you.

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Back Neck Shoulder Pain and specific injuries and conditions are listed below.

Neck & Upper Back Pain, Mid Back Pain Chest & Ribs,  Bulging, Prolapsed, Herniated, or“Slipped disc” Disc Degeneration, Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolysis Spondylolisthesis, Sacroiliac joint inflammation, Facet Joints. Muscles, Ligaments, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Sciatica and Lower back Pain, Scoliosis, Muscle Spasm, and Trigger Point Therapy, Trapped Nerves, Cervicalgia.

Neck and back pain are usually caused common conditions or injuries to the neck and back. The pain may come on gradually, or it may be acute and come on suddenly. Bad posture is a common cause in the onset of this pain but it is not the only cause.

Chiropractors Coventry  understand the various causes of neck pain and can offer advice. One instance of neck pain is Cervicalgia.

Cervicalgia

The neck muscles are constantly placed under tension, although this tension helps to keep the head in position i.e. upright. However, the muscles in the neck are more prone to becoming stiff and painful as a result of this tension. As a result of violent movement or sudden impact

Cervicalgia  is a localized pain that does not radiate through into other areas of the neck.

Symptoms include:

• sharp pain in the neck
• Neckache
• Pain on head movement
• Pain radiating to the shoulders, arms and fingers

It also may radiate pain into other areas; this is usually caused by a trapped nerve or nerves. Nerves can become trapped by tight muscles, disc damage, or the formation of bony deposits. Radiating pain in the neck which affects the shoulders and arms may also affect the fingers.

Neck dysfunction can cause  dizziness,  nausea or headaches which can be successfully treated by Cold Laser Therapy, one of the treatment  modalities offered by Central Chiropractic Clinic.

Back Injury. 

Back Pain and injuries such as Bulging, Prolapsed, Herniated or “Slipped disc”. Disc Degeneration. Spinal Stenosis. Spondylolysis Spondylolisthesis. Sacroiliac joint. Facet Joints. Muscles. Ligaments. Ankylosing Spondylitis. Sciatica and Lower back Pain.

Neck and Upper Back Pain

People do not realize how much they move their neck, until they are unable to do so. The neck has the least amount of muscular stabilization to support and moves your head which weighs around 10 lbs, which makes it very susceptible to injury. It doesn’t take much force to disrupt that fine balance.

The spinal cord passes through a space in the vertebrae sending nerve impulses to every part of the body. Between each pair of cervical vertebrae, the spinal cord sends bundles of nerves that pass down the arms and to the upper back, and if your arm is hurting, it may be a problem in the neck! Symptoms in the arms can include numbness, tingling, coldness, heaviness, aching, and “pins and needles”.

The neck can also contribute to headaches, muscle spasms in the shoulders and upper back, ringing ears, otitis media (inflammation in the middle ear, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ or jaw joint). Dysfunction of the neck also causes restricted range of motion and chronic tightness in the upper back.

Causes of Neck and Upper Back Pain

Neck and upper back pain is caused by a combination of factors, including injury, poor posture, stress, and disc problems.

Injuries

The most common injury to the neck is a whiplash injury. Whiplash is caused by a sudden movement of the head, (View our Whiplash section)

Poor Posture

Much more common causes of neck pain and headaches are poor posture. It’s easy to get into bad posture habits, can eventually lead to pain and headaches. The rule is simple: keep your neck in a “neutral” position whenever possible. Don’t bend or hunch your neck forward for extended periods. Also, do not to sit in one position for extended period of time. If you must sit for an extended period, make sure your posture is good: Keep your head in a neutral position, make sure your back is always supported, keep your knees slightly lower than your hips.

Stress

When people become stressed, they unconsciously contract their muscles. Particular the muscles in their back. This ‘Muscle guarding’ or Defence posture is a response designed to guard against injury. Muscle guarding occurs whenever we become emotionally stressed. The areas most affected are the muscles of the neck, upper back and low back.

Disc Herniations

Discs in your neck may herniated or bulge and put pressure on the nerves that lead from the spine into your shoulders, arms and hands. Although cervical discs do not bulge nearly as often as lumbar discs do, they occasionally can still get damaged, especially when damage sustained from a whiplash injury.

 (View our Cold Laser Therapy Section .)

Mid-Back Pain. Chest & Ribs.

Put your hands alongside your chest and sides and you can easily feel your bony ribs. In the front they attach to your breastbone or sternum and in the back they attach to your spinal bones or vertebrae. Ancient anatomists thought your ribs looked like the bars of a cage so they called them, with their attachments, your “rib cage.”

What is in that cage? Some very important organs are protected there: your heart, lungs, major blood vessels, diaphragm and other structures. It’s important to keep this “cage” in alignment and balanced. A misaligned rib cage can put unnatural pressure on its vital inhabitants affecting their proper functioning.

Thoracic Subluxations

Thoradc subluxations can affect the heart, lungs and other organs in your chest cavity, preventing the proper draining of lymphatic fluids from your head, brain, throat, chest, abdomen and legs. Subluxations can also restrict your breathing, and can also affect your sympathetic nerves which influence the function of your internal organs, senses and brain itself. Two types of thoracic subluxations have a special name: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and T4 Syndrome.

Thoradc Outlet Syndrome (TGS) affects your brachial plexus, a collection of nerves that go from your spine to your arms, hands and shoulders. TGS is characterized by pain in the head, neck or upper extremities, paresthesia (strange nerve pains) and other symptoms.

Symptoms of T4 Syndrome, caused by a vertebral subluxation of the 4th thoracic, may include heaviness and swelling in one or both upper extremities; “creepy crawly” feelings of the shoulders. arms or hands; feelings of a tight band around the upper arm and feelings of heat or cold in one or both hands. Because the sympathetic system can be involved, patients with these syndromes may feel heart-like pain in the chest and left upper extremity and think they are having a heart attack. These conditions can also be confused with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Are You Subluxated?

The ribs may get subluxated from trauma-sports, accidents, injuries and even birth stress. However, the thoracic spine moves differently from the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) areas since it is attached to the ribs.

Special spinal adjustment techniques have been developed for this area. When a thoracic vertebra becomes subluxated, the ribs and the sternum (breastbone) are affected. Some chiropractors adjust the ribs and sternum directly while others adjust the vertebrae so the connecting structures will then realign. Why not ask your chiropractor how he/she addresses this?

When your chiropractor releases subluxations or spinal nerve pressure in this area the benefits can be both physically and psychologically profound. Everyone should see a chiropractor for a checkups to ensure their mid-back; ribs and the rest of their body are in proper alignment and balance.

Thoracic Vertebrae

The thoracic spine contains 12 medium sized vertebrae all of which form articulations (joints) with 2 opposing ribs. Like the other spinal vertebrae, the thoracic vertebrae act as attachments for muscles and ligaments in the mid spine and also encase and protect the median aspect of the spinal cord and thoracic nerve roots.

Because the thoracic vertebrae form relatively strong articulations with the ribs, the mobility of the thoracic spine is less than that of the cervical and lumbar spines. However, this same characteristic also protects the thoracic spinal discs and facet joints from the wear and tear experienced by these structures in the other areas of the spine.

Common vertebral problems in the thoracic spine include vertebral subluxations, a condition where the vertebrae of the thoracic spine become statically misaligned and/or function abnormally resulting in pain, muscle spasm, and sometime nerve malfunction.

Rib Articulation

The thoracic is unique in that each of its vertebrae attaches to a pair of ribs. There are 12 thoracic vertebrae and thus, 24 ribs (12 ribs on the left and 12 ribs on the right). Just like adjacent connecting vertebrae can misalign and biomechanically malfunction, so too can the thoracic vertebrae and it’s adjacent ribs. When ribs “go out” or misalign in relation to their connecting vertebrae, the individual will often experience sharp pains in the area of the misaligned rib head, especially on twisting movements of the torso.

As with vertebral subluxations, chiropractors can successfully treat rib misalignments with the chiropractic spinal adjustment. The adjustment repositions the rib to it correct position and normalizes impaired motion patterns.

Thoracic Intervertebral Discs

The intervertebral discs in the thoracic spine are located between adjacent vertebrae. They function as spacers to provide clearance for exiting spinal nerves, as connectors to link adjacent vertebrae together and allow for movement, and also as spinal shock absorbers.

The discs of the thoracic spine are less likely to become injured compared to those of the cervical and lumbar spines, making up only 2% of intervertebral disc herniations. This is because of the rib articulations made by the vertebra which significantly increases the stability of the thoracic spine. This does not mean that the discs of the thoracic are immune from damage, rather, statistically less likely to become injured.

Thoracic Facet Joints

The facet joints in the thoracic spine allow for considerable amounts of flexion and extension. The facet joints can become injured with excessive amounts of rotation and extension. Golfers are prime candidates for facet joint injury due to their repetitive twisting motions as they swing their golf clubs. When injured, pain is often sharp and localized to the area of the affected facet joint.

Thoracic Spinal Nerves

The thoracic spinal nerve roots exit openings formed between adjacent thoracic vertebrae termed the intervertebral foramina or IVF. The spinal nerves from the thoracic spine innervate the many muscles of the back as well as the many visceral organs and tissues of the chest and abdominal regions.

Spinal nerve root irritation or compression in the thoracic region commonly leads to intercostal pain (between the ribs). Sharp shooting pains are often experienced along the path of the ribs. Additionally, an increased susceptibility to herpes zoster or “shingles” in some individuals,( generally the elderly or immune compromised) is thought to occur when the thoracic spinal nerves are irritated or compressed. Herpes zoster involves infection to an area of the nerve root, the dorsal root ganglion, with the herpes virus.

Thoracic Spinal Musculature

The paraspinal muscles of the thoracic spine are numerous. They are responsible for the majority of trunkal movements as well as a number of upper extremity movements and are a common source of injury and pain.

Over exertion of the muscles from lifting and pulling and poor posture are the major contributors in mid back strains. Pain originating from these muscles characteristically produces a dull generalized ache.

Muscle Spasms and Trigger Points

The Body is made up of over 60% nerve, muscle and bone, it should come as no surprise that chronic pain, strain, spasm, irritation, inflammation, trigger points or other neuro-musculoskeletal (nerve-muscle-bone) conditions are so common. In fact, many of the millions of people who visit their doctors of chiropractic do so because of these problems.

Do Injections and Physical Therapy Work?

For standard medicine, how to best deal with the symptoms of muscle spasm, trigger points and similar problems is a mystery. Medical treatments such as novocaine, procaine and xylocaine injections; cooling sprays; muscle relaxant drugs; cortisone injections; and other drugs have been tried with mixed results. Heat, massage and other modalities have had limited success.

The Cause

The cause of this mystery illness, may, at least in part, be spinal trauma. In one study, adults with neck injuries had a 16 % increase of neuromuscular pain and fibromyalgia within one year of their injury. Others have found similar associations.

The Chiropractic Approach

Those suffering from muscle spasm, trigger points, neuromuscular pain and problems, fibromyalgia and similar symptoms are seeing chiropractors in record numbers because they are getting results. For example, in one study 10 men and 20 women, aged 13 to 70 with chronic fatigue syndrome, trigger point pain and fibromyalgia, who had been suffering for years began chiropractic care. After a series of spinal adjustments, every patient was able to resume normal activities including full time work and maintained their improvements one year later at follow-up. The authors of the study write:

“Improvement in symptoms was achieved in both these syndromes”

In another study of   trigger points, muscle pain and fibromyalgia experienced moderate to greater improvement under Chiropractic care while anti-depressant medication benefited only around 30% and exercise helped 25% In another study, 55% of patients had at least a 45% reduction in pain symptoms with chiropractic. Similar results were found with those suffering from fibromyalgia with tender trigger points, numbness, tingling and pain.

Trigger Points

How do you feel in the morning?                                                              

Do your muscles feel “tight,” especially in the morning? Do you always need to stretch with constant aches and pains in your neck, low back and hips? Do you feel old and stiff with morning fatigue, sleeping problems and many tender spots (trigger points)?

Trigger Points

Trigger points are tender, sensitive areas that when pressed, stuck, heated or cooled can be exquisitely painful. You may first discover trigger points when you are surprised by someone pressing a seemingly pain-free area. Trigger point pain may also be referred to other areas of the body. Trigger points are common in chronic muscle spasm, myalgia, myositis, fibrositis, strain and sprain, and other muscle and joint problems.

Vertebral Subluxations

Chiropractors locate and correct vertebral subluxations, a spinal condition that damages nerves, muscles, fascia, meninges and other tissues. Subluxations can alter the concentration of enzymes and other chemicals necessary for skeletal muscle health which may play a role in muscle diseases. Compression of a nerve interferes with impulse transmission, causing muscle paralysis, vasodilation and trophic ulcers.

Chronic hyperactivity of sympathetic nerves is detrimental to the tissues and organs which they innervate and musculoskeletal dysfunction in the spinal area.

Vertebral subluxations cause joints to “freeze” or lose normal movement, causing damage to the involved area. Movement is essential for the prevention of contracture and adhesion formation within the joint.

Conclusion

Doctors of chiropractic spend thousands of hours and many years learning how to correct vertebral subluxations using the art of the chiropractic spinal adjustment. The adjustment removes severe stress from the spine as well as related nerve and other tissues including the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and other soft tissues. This permits your body to work better, under the direction of your inner healer (your innate healing ability) thus permitting you to better heal yourself. After your spine is adjusted your head is more balanced in relationship with gravity, your hips and shoulders are more level and stress is taken off the joints and muscles throughout your body. Because less of your energy goes into supporting an unbalanced spine and skeleton, you may immediately discover more energy, greater ease in movement and improved relaxation.

A recent book review on muscle spasm, trigger points, pain and fibromyalgia in the] journal of the American Medical Association carried this shocking admission by the reviewer:

Anyone with the above conditions or with any health problem should see a doctor of chiropractic to make sure that their spine is free from vertebral subluxations.

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Sciatica.               

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your pelvis, through your hip area and buttocks and down each leg. The sciatic nerve branches into smaller nerves as it travels down the legs providing feeling to your thighs, legs, and feet as well as controlling many of the muscles in your lower legs. The term sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of this nerve.

What causes Sciatica?

Sciatica is actually a sign that you have an underlying problem putting pressure on a nerve in your lower back. The most common cause of this nerve compression is a bulging or herniated lumbar disc. Piriformis syndrome is another common cause of sciatica. The piriformis is a muscle that lies directly over the sciatic nerve. If this muscle becomes tight or if you have a spasm in this muscle, it puts pressure directly on the sciatic nerve. Occasionally, sciatic pain in men is caused by sitting on a wallet.

How do I know if I have sciatica?

Pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg is the hallmark of sciatica. Sciatica may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the affected leg. This pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating discomfort. Sometimes it may feel like a jolt or electric shock. Sciatic pain often starts gradually and intensifies over time. It’s likely to be worse when you sit, cough or sneeze.

How is Sciatica Treated?

The vast majority of the time, sciatic pain can be relieved through a combination of stretches, deep tissue massage of the piriformis muscle and chiropractic care. Occasionally, in cases where chronic spasm of the low back or piriformis muscles is causing the sciatic pain, it may be necessary to do a procedure called a trigger point injection, where a medical pain specialist injects a small amount of anaesthetic directly into a spasmed muscle to break the spasm cycle. For further detailed information on Sciatica, view our main page  Sciatica .

(View our Cold Laser Therapy Section )

Lower Back Pain

Eighty percent of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctors. In fact, it is estimated that low back pain affects more than half of the adult population each year and more than 15% of all people experience frequent bouts of low back pain.

The susceptibility of the low back to injury and pain is due to the fact that the low back, like the neck, is an unstable part of the spine, unlike the thoracic spine, which is supported by the rib cage. This instability allows us to have a great deal of mobility to touch our toes, tie our shoes or pick something up from ground level, but at the cost of increased risk of injury.

The low back can withstand tremendous forces as long as it is healthy and functioning correctly. However, if the low back is out of alignment or has weakened supporting muscles, something as simple as putting a bag or suit case in and out of the boot of a car, picking something up off the floor, or simply bending down can cause a low back injury.

Studies have shown that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, and is very to likely return. The importance to take low back pain seriously cannot be stressed enough. The professional chiropractic care is one of the best ways to care for your back.

The Causes of Low Back Pain

Sprained ligaments, strained muscles, ruptured disks, trigger points and inflamed joints are the many of different conditions that can result in low back pain. While sports injuries or accidents can lead to an injury and pain, sometimes even the simplest movements, like picking up a pencil from the floor, can have painful results. In addition, conditions such as poor posture, stress, arthritis, kidney stones and kidney infections, can be the cause of low back pain.

There may be many other things that can cause low back pain, and some of those things can be serious if left untreated. Chiropractors are the experts in diagnosing the cause and determining a proper course of treatment for low back pain. Following are some of the most common causes.

Subluxations

When a disruption in the normal movement or position of the vertebrae occurs it results in pain and inflammation. In the lumbar spine these occur at the transition between the lower spine and the sacrum. Subluxations can lead to debilitating low back pain, however, subluxations are easily treatable and there is often a significant reduction in pain experienced almost immediately after treatment.

Disc Herniations

A herniated disc does not automatically mean that you may suffer from low back pain. In one study almost 60% of all adults had at least one bulging or herniated disc, even though they did not experienced any back pain. However, herniated discs can be a source of severe and debilitating pain, which may radiate to other areas of the body. Unfortunately, when a disc herniates, they rarely, completely heal. Further deterioration can be avoided through chiropractic care, but a complete recovery is less common.

Sprains, Strains and Spasms

Sprains strains and spasms, are the most common source of low back pain. Overworking the muscles or ligaments of the low back may lead to tears in the tissues, which become painful, swollen and may even ache, with a tightening to the area affected.

Stress

When you become stressed, your body responds by increasing the levels of stress hormones leading to the rise of blood pressure and heart rate and tightening up of your muscles. By becoming stressed all the time your muscles will become weak and painful loaded with trigger points.

Chiropractic treatment for the low back has been repeatedly shown to be the most effective treatment for low back pain. Major studies have shown that chiropractic treatment is more effective, and has better long-term outcomes than any other treatment. Why? This makes sense is because chiropractic treatment is the only method of treatment that works to re-establish normal vertebral motion and position in the spine. All other treatments, such as muscle relaxants and pain killers, will only decrease the symptoms of the problem and do not correct the problem itself.

Chiropractic treatment for low back pain is normally straight forward, and simply a matter of adjusting the lower lumbar vertebrae and pelvis to re-establish normal motion and position of your bones and joints. ( View our Cold Laser Therapy Section .)

Is A Trapped  Nerve or “Pinched” Nerve Making Your Life Miserable?

Having a Trapped nerve hurts.  That will feel like a severe, sharp, intense pain. Trapped nerves could happen nearly anywhere and affect nerves that go to your arms, fingers, wrists, neck, head, back, shoulders, legs, muscles and internal organs. “Pinched” or Trapped nerves can affect your health, posture, vitality, resistance to disease, even your emotional health. “Pinched”/Trapped nerves can make your life miserable.

Trapped ?

Do nerves really get Trapped? Actual Trapping is quite rare. What is much more common is what chiropractors call the vertebral subluxation complex or subluxations. Other terms for this are nerve impingement, nerve irritation, nerve lesion, spinal stress and meningeal tension.

Even though there may be no actual Trapping, people like the word because it’s so descriptive. It can really feel like something is being Trapped in there. Some health professionals even use it. People at times seeing a chiropractor’s  saying their GP, osteopath, massage therapist or other healer referred them because they had a” Trapped” nerve and should see a chiropractor to get  the trapped.nerve freed

What Can Cause Subluxations?

Nearly any kind of stress can cause a subluxation: a fall or an accident, even a very I:nild one that happened years ago; a
bad sleeping position; poor posture; fatigue; dental work; a difficult birth; emotional stress; poor nutrition or a combination of stresses. A subluxation need not happen all at once. It could “set” in your body over time–coming on so gradually that you
won’t be aware you have one.

Most Trapped Nerves Don’t Hurt

Most people with Trapped nerves are not in pain since most nerves do not carry pain messages. Chiropractors sometimes say that people with painful Trapped nerves might be considered lucky-they know they have a problem and they (hopefully) will go to a chiropractor.

But what of those not “lucky” enough to have painful Trapped nerves?

They may watch their body suffer and their health deteriorate for years without the faintest idea that the problem may be coming from their spine. These people desperately need to see a chiropractor but because they don’t have spine or nerve pain they may never receive the care they need. This is the big job facing chiropractors today; educating people about vertebral subluxations and the need for periodic spinal checkups.

Correct Your Trapped Nerves

Trapped nerves do not go away by themselves. No amount of painkillers or muscle relaxants can fix them. Only doctors of chiropractic are able to analyze your spinal column for Trapped nerves or vertebral subluxations and use spinal adjustment techniques to gently realign your spine, release your internal stress and free you from your Trapped nerves.

 Chiropractic spinal analysis and spinal adjustment can relieve your body of vertebral subluxations.

Where Do Nerves Go?

Individual nerve fibers are microscopic. although they may be many inches long they are so thin you need a powerful microscope to see them. Nerve fibers are also found in large bundles called nerves, which you can see. Billions of nerve fibers are bundled inside your spinal cord, an extension of your brain, which passes through your spinal column. Nerves branch off from your spinal cord through openings between the vertebrae to connect to every nook and cranny in your body.

Life without Nerves

Your nerves connect you to the world. Without them you couldn’t see, hear, touch, taste or smell or feel hot, cold, pleasure or pain. Your body would be the ultimate sensory deprivation tank; no messages could come in-and no messages could go out; without nerves no muscles could move; you’d be a prisoner within yourself.

Nerves Keep You Alive and Healthy

Nerve messages also help regulate your body activities such as breathing, heartbeat, digestion, excretion, and your blood pressure and immune system so that you can respond to germs, changes in temperature and all kinds of stress. In addition to nerve impulses, nutrients flow over your nerves to nourish your muscles and tissues. If this flow is blocked it may cause your muscles to waste away.

If your nerves are Trapped, “impinged” or otherwise interfered with, the flow of messages and nutrients over them can be disrupted and your body can become “diseased” or weakened. When you are dis-eased you have less energy and vitality and are less able to deal with physical and emotional stress.

Lowered resistance to disease, infection, colds, flu, allergies, ulcers, constipation, diarrhea, asthma, fevers, headaches, seizures, bedwetting, hearing, balance or visual disturbances and many other health problems have been related to an unhealthy nervous system.

How Do Nerves Get Impinged or Trapped

Your skeletal system, especially your spinal column, protects your spinal cord and other nerves. If your spinal bones (vertebrae) are misaligned even slightly they may “pinch,” impinge, irritate, compress or stretch the nerves they are supposed to protect.

This in turn can affect other structures in the area including blood vessels, discs, ligaments, joints, muscles, fascia, tendons and meninges. As mentioned earlier, this is referred to as a subluxation.

“Slipped Disc”

Common  Slipped Disc, also known as Prolapsed, Bulging, Herniated or Extruded Disc

Disc Problems

What Causes Disc Problems?

Discs are the soft but strong cushions that separate the bones (vertebrae) in your spine and absorb shock as you move. Repeated strain over time, an injury, or sudden, forceful movements can damage discs and irritate nerves, causing pain, numbness, or tingling in your back, legs, neck, and arms.

Common Slipped Disc, Neck Disc Injury

A Slipped Disc or (Disc Prolapsed) in the neck is a common cause of neck pain. Slipped disc treatment during the early stages involves limited mobilisation. Later, more active physical therapy rehabilitation is useful. During the later stages neck pain treatment can be enhanced if a Pillow is used to support the neck.

Common Slipped Disc Neck Disc injury signs and symptoms:

• Patients with a slipped disc in the neck may experience severe neck pain.
• Sometimes there is neck and shoulder pain or pain in the arm.
• There may be weakness or a loss of sensation in the arms or hands.

Common Slipped Disc in the Lower Back, signs & symptoms.

            What are the symptoms of a low back slipped disc?

            The first symptom would be mild pain along with a tingling, aching affect.

            Then the symptoms develop to irritating pain, swelling and heat in the region of rupture.

           Muscle weakness and problems in sitting, lying, walking or even standing for long periods 

these are the symptoms of this condition. Besides these, some other complications arise if the nerves of some of the respective areas suffer pinching of the discs.

If the Slipped disc presses against the sciatic nerve, the pain from the back will reach into the buttocks and then moves down into one or both legs and to areas like thighs, cuffs, or ankles. The nerves of the bowel and kidneys pass through the lumbar region. The protrusion of any of these nerves can cause bowel irregularity and kidney disorders.

Healthy Disc

A disc has a spongy, gel-like centre (nucleus) and a tough outer ring (annulus). The vertebrae rock back and forth and rotate on the discs, allowing you to move easily.

Can Chiropractic Care Help Me?

Your doctor of chiropractic looks at your overall health-focusing not only on your discs but also on your lifestyle. This total approach to wellness helps determine the best treatment for your problem.

You’re Health History

To help find the cause of your disc problem, you and your chiropractor discuss your symptoms. You might have a disc problem, for example, if it’s painful to cough or sneeze. Your doctor of chiropractic also discusses prior injuries, your health history, and your lifestyle, including work-related and leisure activities.

Physical Exam

Physical, orthopaedic (bone and muscle), and neurological (nerve) tests can help reveal the condition of your discs. Your chiropractor gently moves your spine and legs to locate muscle tightness and show how well each vertebra moves.

Tests

X-rays may be done to reveal any problems with your vertebrae. If needed, other imaging tests, such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), may be used to show detailed images of discs, nerves, and other soft tissue.

Diagnosis

Based on the results of your exam and tests, your doctor of chiropractic may recommend a treatment program to help realign your vertebrae, relieve irritation on your spinal nerves, and reduce pain. If needed, your chiropractor also consults with or refers you to other medical specialists

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine that causes stiffness and pain. It is called an idiopathic disease because the cause of it is unknown. Scoliosis is more common in females and begins in childhood. However, merely 2 percent of the population is afflicted. If it is detected early, scoliosis treatment will prevent it from worsening over time.

The Cause

Scoliosis is derived from the Greek term meaning curvature. People with scoliosis have a sideways curve in their spine that makes an “S” or “C” shape. The vertebrae can rotate at the thoracic level of the spine causing this curve and resulting in a hump near the rib cage. If the curve is more than 60 degrees it is considered serious. Usually this curve makes the waist or shoulders uneven. And unlike the normal curvature of the spine, adjusting your posture will not correct the problem.

In some instances, the degenerative diseases of the spine can cause scoliosis. Osteoporosis is when the bones become brittle and usually occurs in older people. This softening can cause the vertebrae to bend and shape the curve causing scoliosis or kyphosis (round back). If not treated properly, severe back pain, deformity, and difficulty breathing can be some symptoms that will arise.

Chiropractic care can help improve this condition. We look at your overall health examining your spine as well as other factors of your lifestyle. To help identify the problem’s cause, we will discuss symptoms and previous injuries, your family’s health history, and recreational and work-related activities.

Regular visits to observe the progression of scoliosis are an integral part of living a full and happy life. Scoliosis can be treated in various ways to help alleviate pain and restore normal function. Regardless of the treatment used, physical therapy may be added to scoliosis treatment to increase muscle strength and mobility. If you have any questions about your physical limitations, please contact us.

(View our Cold Laser Therapy Section.)

Back Pain and injuries such as Bulging, Prolapsed, Herniated or “Slipped disc”. Disc Degeneration. Spinal Stenosis. Spondylolysis Spondylolisthesis. Sacroiliac joint. Facet Joints. Muscles. Ligaments. Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Causes of back pain

Muscles/Ligaments

Among the many causes of back pain, the most common by far is a sprain or strain of muscles or ligaments. Muscle spasm can occur after twisting or bending awkwardly, or from a simple sneeze or cough. The majority of muscle spasms tend to get better over time. Severe cases of muscle spasm are treated with medication, physical therapy, also cold laser therapy, see our cold laser therapy section under “Treatments”. 

Discs

Disc Degeneration

Disc problems are common causes of back pain. After an injury, or as we age, discs lose fluid content and deteriorate in a process called disc degeneration. The earliest form of disc injury is in the form of tears or fissures in the annulus fibrosis (outer portion) of the disc. The annulus fibrosis is very much is like a large round ligament that prevents the nucleus pulposus (inner gel-like portion) of the disc from protruding outward. Tears in the annulus heal by scar formation weakening the tissue. The repetitive annular tears degeneration which heals by scar formation lead to a disc that begins to degenerate.

As degeneration progresses the disc becomes stiff, narrow, and losses its ability to act as a shock absorber thus leading to increased stress being put on the bones of the spine causing formation of bone sours or osteophytes. If bone spurs get large enough, they may cause pressure on nerves in the spinal canal which would present as numbness and weakness in the arms or legs depending on the spinal level being affected. The combination of disc degeneration and bone spur formation in the spine is called spondylosis. Any narrowing within the spinal canal, from bone spur formation or from any other cause such as disc prolapsed of thickening of the ligaments of the spine is called spinal stenosis. Spondylosis or spinal stenosis can occur at any region in the spine: cervical, thoracic, or lumbar.

Bulging Disc, Protruding Disc, Prolapsed Disc, Herniated Disc, Extruded disc,

Slipped Disc.

Slipped Disc also known as Bulging Disc, Protruding Disc, Prolapsed Disc, Herniated Disc, Extruded disc,

The above terms generally describe a disc that is displaced beyond the limits of the intervertebral disc space i.e. the borders of annulus fibrous (the outer fibrous part of the disc)

Disc prolapse or herniation is the protrusion of the central portion of the disc through a tear in the outer annular wall of the disc. If disc prolapsed results in the compression (direct or indirect) of the nerve root it would cause symptoms of pain, numbness, or weakness. In some individuals however, disc protrusions will not cause any symptoms. A disc extrusion is a severe version of a disc protrusion in which a large portion of the nucleus pulposus is displaced through the wall of the disc. A disc extrusion would almost always result in the symptoms of nerve root compression.

Facet Joints

Facet joints irritation is another cause of back pain. Facet joints are small pairs of joints on the back of the spinal column where the vertebrae meet. Facet joints provide stability to the spine by interlocking two adjacent vertebrae. Facet joints also allow the spine to bend forward (flexion), bend backward (extension), and twist. 

Inflammation of facet joints can occur from injuries, excessive stress put on the spine or a form of arthritis. Facet joint problems are functional problems and would not be visualised on the x-rays of the MRI scan.

Spinal Stenosis

The term stenosis describes any narrowing of the spinal canal. Among many causes of spinal stenosis the most common one is degenerative changes or oseoarthritis of the spine, which occurs almost inevitably as a part of the ageing process.

Canal stenosis can be caused by many factors such as enlargement of the facet joints due to degenerative changes; hypertrophy (enlargement) of the ligamentum flavum – the main ligament of the spinal canal; the protrusion or herniation of intervertebral discs into the canal and forward slippage of vertebrae in a condition called spondylolisthesis – all contribute into narrowing of spinal canal on their own or in conjunction with each other.

Main symptoms of spinal stenosis in lumbar spine is pain in the back and legs aggravated by standing and walking and relieved by sitting or stooping forward. Legs pain induced by walking is known as neurogenic claudication (from the Latin claudico, to limp). Neurogenic claudication must be distinguished from is vascular claudication, or leg pain on walking caused by insufficient blood flow to the legs. The features which help to distinguish neurogenic from vascular claudication are the following:

In neurogenic claudication pain occurs after varying amounts of exercise, with standing, or with coughing. Vascular claudication is reliably produced with a fixed amount of exercise, such as walking a certain number of blocks, and is rare at rest. The main distinguishing feature of neurogenic claudication and vascular claudication is the pain relief with sitting and stooping in cases of neurogenic claudication while vascular claudication pain is usually quickly relieved by resting in a standing position. Sensory loss of neurological claudication is in a nerve root distribution, while with vascular insufficiency it is in a stocking-glove distribution. Signs of vascular insufficiency should be absent in neurogenic claudication: diminished pulses, foot pallor on elevation, and decreased temperature of the feet.

 Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolistheses is the most common causes of lower back pain in adolescents. Spondylolysis is a fracture in one or both pedicles of the vertebrae that make up the spinal column. It usually affects either the fourth or the fifth lumbar vertebra in the lower back. The fracture site is called a pars defect.

If the bone is unable to maintain its proper position, the top vertebrae can shift forward on top of the bottom vertebrae. This condition is called spondylolisthesis.

For adults, a spondylolisthesis is normally caused from degenerative changes in the spine. When too much movement or slippage occurs, the bones may begin to press on nerves and surgery may become necessary to correct the condition.

Causes such as genetic, overuse or degenerative changes can contribute to development of spondylolisthesis. 

Sacroiliac Joints

Another very common cause of lower back pain is a dysfunction of sacro-iliac joints. The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum (the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine) with the pelvis (iliac crest).

The inflammation of sacroiliac joint can result from an acute injury or from chronic postural abnormalities such as undue stress on the joint following lower back fusion surgery, degenerative changes of the hip and knee joint as well as from fallen arches of the foot. Pain distribution from sacroiliac joint abnormalities is in the low back, buttock/hip, abdomen, groin or legs.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the spine. With ankylosing spondylitis, the joints and ligaments that normally permit the spine to move become inflamed and stiff. with time the bones of the spine may fuse together, causing the spine to become rigid and inflexible.

Coccygodynia

Pathophysiology

The word coccyx comes from the Greek word for cuckoo, the name apparently having been derived from the tailbone’s shape, which resembles that of a cuckoo’s beak. The coccyx is the terminal end of the spine, just inferior to the sacrum. The human coccyx is composed of 3-5 individual segments (coccygeal vertebrae), with variations occurring with regard to the number of segments, the overall angulation (curve) of the coccyx, and the degree of articulation versus fusion between the individual segments. In 85% of patients, the coccyx is made up of 4 coccygeal vertebrae.

Typically, the coccyx is concave anteriorly and convex posteriorly. The human coccyx is often considered a remnant of a tail; thus, the coccyx is colloquially referred to as the tailbone.

Anatomy and function of the coccyx

In humans, the coccyx serves important functions, including as an attachment site for various muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Physicians and patients should remember the importance of these attachments when considering surgical removal of the coccyx.

Muscles inserting on the anterior coccyx include the levator ani, which is sometimes considered as several separate muscle parts, including the coccygeus, iliococcygeus, and pubococcygeus muscles. This important muscle group supports the pelvic floor (preventing inferior sagging of the intrapelvic contents) and plays a role in maintaining fecal continence.   Muscles originating on the posterior coccyx include the gluteus maximus, which is the largest of the gluteal (buttock) muscles and which functions to extend the thigh during ambulation.

Multiple important ligaments attach to the coccyx. The anterior and posterior sacrococcygeal ligaments attach the sacrum to the coccyx (similar to the functions of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments spanning cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spinal segments). Laterally, the transverse process of the coccyx serves as an attachment site for the lateral sacrococcygeal ligaments (arising from the inferolateral sacrum), as well as for fibers from the sacrospinous ligament (arising laterally from the spine of the ischium) and the sacrotuberous ligament (connecting the sacrum with the ischial tuberosity but with fibers attaching to the coccyx as well).

The coccyx serves as somewhat of a weight-bearing structure when a person is seated, thus completing the tripod of weight bearing composed of the coccyx and the bilateral ischium. The ischial weight-bearing surfaces are, more specifically, at the ischial tuberosities and inferior rami of the ischium. The coccyx bears more weight when the seated person is leaning backward; therefore, many patients with coccydynia sit leaning forward (flexing at the lumbosacral and hip regions), which shifts more of the weight to the bilateral ischium rather than the coccyx . Alternatively, patients with coccydynia may sit leaning toward one side so that the body weight is exerted mainly on one ischial tuberosity or the other, with less pressure on the coccyx. Such side leaning may lead to concomitant ischial bursitis in addition to the antecedent coccydynia.

The base of the coccyx articulates with the sacral apex via the sacrococcygeal junction. The sacrococcygeal articulation and intracoccygeal articulations contain fibrocartilaginous discs, comparable to the intervertebral discs present at other spinal levels. The apex (distal tip) of the coccyx is typically rounded but may be bifid.

Muscle Spasms and Trigger Points

The Body is made up of over 60% nerve, muscle and bone, it should come as no surprise that chronic pain, strain, spasm, irritation, inflammation, trigger points or other neuro-musculoskeletal (nerve-muscle-bone) conditions are so common. In fact, many of the millions of people who visit their doctors of chiropractic do so because of these problems.

Do Injections And Physical Therapy Work?

For standard medicine, how to best deal with the symptoms of muscle spasm, trigger points and similar problems is a mystery. Medical treatments such as novocaine, procaine and xylocaine injections; cooling sprays; muscle relaxant drugs; cortisone injections; and other drugs have been tried with mixed results. Heat, massage and other modalities have had limited success.

The Cause

The cause of this mystery illness, may, at least in part, be spinal trauma. In one study, adults with neck injuries had a 16 % increase of neuromuscular pain and fibromyalgia within one year of their injury. Others have found similar associations.

The Chiropractic Approach

Those suffering from muscle spasm, trigger points, neuromuscular pain and problems, fibromyalgia and similar symptoms are seeing chiropractors in record numbers because they are getting results. For example, in one study 10 men and 20 women, aged 13 to 70 with chronic fatigue syndrome, trigger point pain and fibromyalgia, who had been suffering for years began chiropractic care. After a series of spinal adjustments, every patient was able to resume normal activities including full time work and maintained their improvements one year later at follow-up. The authors of the study write:

“Improvement in symptoms was achieved in both these syndromes”

In another study of   trigger points, muscle pain and fibromyalgia experienced moderate to greater improvement under Chiropractic care while anti-depressant medication benefited only around 30% and exercise helped 25% In another study, 55% of patients had at least a 45% reduction in pain symptoms with chiropractic. Similar results were found with those suffering from fibromyalgia with tender trigger points, numbness, tingling and pain.

Trigger Points

How do you feel in the morning?  

Do your muscles feel “tight,” especially in the morning? Do you always need to stretch with constant aches and pains in your neck, low back and hips? Do you feel old and stiff with morning fatigue, sleeping problems and many tender spots (trigger points)?

Trigger Points.

Trigger points are tender, sensitive areas that when pressed, stuck, heated or cooled can be exquisitely painful. You may first discover trigger points when you are surprised by someone pressing a seemingly pain-free area. Trigger point pain may also be referred to other areas of the body. Trigger points are common in chronic muscle spasm, myalgia, myositis, fibrositis, strain and sprain, and other muscle and joint problems.

Vertebral Subluxations

Chiropractors locate and correct vertebral subluxations, a spinal condition that damages nerves, muscles, fascia, meninges and other tissues. Subluxations can alter the concentration of enzymes and other chemicals necessary for skeletal muscle health which may play a role in muscle diseases. Compression of a nerve interferes with impulse transmission, causing muscle paralysis, vasodilation and trophic ulcers.

Chronic hyperactivity of sympathetic nerves is detrimental to the tissues and organs which they innervate and musculoskeletal dysfunction in the spinal area.

Vertebral subluxations cause joints to “freeze” or lose normal movement, causing damage to the involved area. Movement is essential for the prevention of contracture and adhesion formation within the joint.

Conclusion

Doctors of chiropractic spend thousands of hours and many years learning how to correct vertebral subluxations using the art of the chiropractic spinal adjustment. The adjustment removes severe stress from the spine as well as related nerve and other tissues including the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and other soft tissues. This permits your body to work better, under the direction of your inner healer (your innate healing ability) thus permitting you to better heal yourself. After your spine is adjusted your head is more balanced in relationship with gravity, your hips and shoulders are more level and stress is taken off the joints and muscles throughout your body. Because less of your energy goes into supporting an unbalanced spine and skeleton, you may immediately discover more energy, greater ease in movement and improved relaxation.

A recent literature review on muscle spasm, trigger points, pain and fibromyalgia in the] journal of the American Medical Association carried this shocking admission by the reviewer:

Anyone with the above conditions or with any health problem should see a doctor of chiropractic to make sure that their spine is free from vertebral subluxations.

 Also available are 32 3D animated educational videos  for various Back Pain and conditions such as (1) Sciatica (2) Degenerative disc (3) Herniated disc (4) Facet Joints (5) Scoliosis (6) Kyphosis Posture (7) Back Neck and Pain Decompression  (they can be found under the listing ”Types of Pain” in our “Back Pain” Section).  

For pain management and Back Pain at Central Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Clinic, we use the latest Low Level Lasers which accelerate the recovery and healing process, leading to a significant reduction in pain inflammation. A 5 star rating has been awarded to Low Level Laser Therapy, our laser section can be found listed under ”Pain Relief”, please also view our  ”Low level Laser Testimonial Video”.   

Upper back pain is one of the most common conditions encountered by Chiropractors. Patients may not realise it, but back and neck pain could be the root cause of a range of other conditions such as, arm pain, headaches and ringing in the ears. All of these conditions can cause severe disruption to an individual’s lifestyle, therefore it is important to have them treated by a registered specialist. The Central Chiropractic Clinic, a back pain Coventry specialist, is qualified to offer a wide range of treatments for a selection of conditions in their fully equipped surgery. 

There are a combination of factors that can contribute towards back pain including poor posture, disc problems, stress and injury. One of the most common instances when back pain is sustained is during a car accident, whiplash is caused when a driver breaks suddenly and there is a rapid movement of the head. It can cause severe pain and stiffness in the upper back and neck area. 

Back pain is common in those individuals that spend long periods of time sitting in the same position, for example in an office environment. This can cause poor posture, straining the back and promoting the potential for headaches. 

The Central Chiropractic Clinic provide a selection of treatments to tackle the symptoms of back pain. Dependent upon the individual’s requirements they could provide cold laser therapy, a non-invasive treatment that focuses upon particular areas of the body. 

All treatment will be determined following a comprehensive examination with one of this back pain Coventry specialists Chiropractors. They use a variety of methods including X-rays and scans to diagnose the underlying issue. 

For further information about the services available from this back pain Coventry specialist, contact a member of their team to arrange a consultation. They also have a wide range of information published on their website, plus details about the Chiropractors at the clinic for patients to read through before visiting.