Sciatica
Sciatica is characterized by pain in the lower back that radiates down one or both legs. The pain is described as dull, achy, sharp, like “pins and needles” or similar to electric shocks. Other symptoms associated with sciatica include burning, numbness and tingling sensations. Sciatic nerve pain varies in intensity from mild to severe, and frequency may range from occasional to constant. The onset is generally gradual and not necessarily associated with a previous event. Sciatica is also known as radiating or referred pain, neuropathy, or neuralgia.
Neck Pain
The neck, also called the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and contains seven small vertebrae. The cervical spine supports the full weight of your head which is on average about 12 pounds. While the cervical spine can move your head in nearly every direction, this flexibility makes the neck very susceptible to pain and injury.
Disc Bulge/Herniation
A disc bulge or herniation occurs when the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disc protrudes through a tear or weak spot in the outer layer. This can result in compression or irritation of nearby nerves, leading to symptoms such as localized back pain, radiating pain down the arms or legs, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. The pain from a disc bulge or herniation can vary in intensity and may be exacerbated by certain movements or positions, such as bending, lifting, or sitting for prolonged periods. In some cases, a disc bulge or herniation may occur suddenly due to trauma or heavy lifting, while in others, it may develop gradually over time due to age-related degeneration or repetitive stress on the spine. Treatment options for disc bulge or herniation may include rest, physical therapy, medications, spinal injections, and in severe cases, surgery. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing symptoms and preventing further complications.
Low Back Pain
Given that low back pain ranks as the primary cause of disability globally, it’s crucial to understand how to prevent its onset. Maintaining a healthy diet and weight, staying active, and avoiding prolonged periods of inactivity or bed rest are all vital strategies for preventing low back pain. Additionally, it’s advisable to warm up and/or stretch before engaging in exercises or any physical activity.
Leg Pain
Leg pain can significantly impact daily life, making it essential to take preventive measures. To help prevent leg pain, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet. Stretching exercises targeted at the legs can improve flexibility and reduce the risk of muscle strain. Avoiding prolonged periods of standing or sitting and taking breaks to stretch and move around can also help prevent leg discomfort. If leg pain persists or worsens, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a very common condition and affects almost half of the U.S. Most patients feel some sort of pain, limited range of motion, an inability to engage in activities of daily living (ADL) or something more serious as a permanent disability.
Headaches/ Migraines
Nine out of ten Americans say that they suffer from headaches. Some of these people experience headaches frequently. Some experience constant headaches that are very painful. These can even make a person nauseous. Ninety-five percent of headaches are tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused from a disease, but from something in your body that is not sitting correctly.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
CTS is a problem of the median nerve which runs from the forearm into the hand. When there is excessive pressure in the wrist, it causes swelling of the median nerve. This small area called the carpal tunnel is a narrow tunnel at the wrist made up of bones, soft tissues, nerves, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. When the median nerve which runs through this tunnel gets compressed it causes pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the hand and wrist which radiates into the forearm. The carpal tunnel is the most common area that gets compressed in both the hands and feet.
CTS should be diagnosed and treated early. During your consultation, you will receive a standard physical examination of the hands, arms, shoulders and neck to help determine if your symptoms are related to daily activities or to an underlying disorder. Our highly skilled chiropractor will also utilize other orthopedic tests to try to produce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Laboratory tests and x-rays can reveal diabetes, arthritis, fractures, and other common causes of wrist and hand pain.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is when natural changes in the discs of your spine cause pain. The discs between vertebrae act as shock absorbers for your spine, and as you age, they begin to lose flexibility. While this is a normal part of aging, it should not cause pain. If you experience pain due to this, it is classified as degenerative disc disease.
Each disc is composed of a sturdy outer wall and a soft, gel-like inner core. When we are born, these discs are primarily composed of water, but as age advances, the discs lose some of this water content and begin to get thinner. As you might imagine, this means each disc doesn’t absorb the shocks of everyday life as well.
Scoliosis
When detected early, scoliosis can be managed and treated to prevent the problem from getting worse. With scoliosis, the spine has abnormal curvatures to the side or even twists. Most cases of scoliosis appear for unknown reasons as scoliosis tends to develop before puberty in adolescence, in children who previously had no spine issues.
Many cases of scoliosis do not require surgery or extensive treatment, but if the curvature becomes more severe, medical intervention may be needed. Scoliosis appears equally in boys and girls, but typically girls are more likely to develop significant curvature that warrants treatment.
Vertigo
Vertigo is the feeling that you are moving when you’re not. This sensation can be triggered by movements such as turning your head too quickly or looking down from a great distance, but it is ultimately caused by problems in the inner ear, brain, or brainstem. There are two different forms of vertigo with each stemming from various medical issues: peripheral vertigo and central vertigo.
Peripheral vertigo results in a problem with your inner ear and thus your balance, while central vertigo occurs when your brain or brainstem are suffering from a disease originating from your central nervous system (CNS). Peripheral vertigo is typically more severe, and central vertigo is more gradual in its onset. Regardless of the type of dizziness you are experiencing, more than likely, your quality of life is suffering because of it.
Whiplash
According to the American Chiropractic Association, one of the most common causes of neck pain is whiplash resulting from a car accident. A sudden forced movement of the head or neck in any direction and the resulting “rebound” in the opposite direction is known as whiplash. The sudden “whipping” motion injures the surrounding and supporting tissues of the neck and head. Muscles react by tightening and contracting, creating muscle fatigue, which can result in pain and stiffness. Severe whiplash can also be associated with injury to the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, muscles, and nerve roots.
Work Injuries
Workplace injuries don’t only occur during traumatic slips and falls at work but are more often than not, the result of repetitive movements, and caused by doing the physical demands required of your job over an extended period of time. These types of workplace injuries are all too common in today’s workforce and are best identified by their symptoms.
- Lower back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Carpal tunnel and hand pain
- Disc injuries
- Sciatica (pain caused by the sciatic nerve in your lower back and legs)
- Joint pain
Being examined by a chiropractor is often the first step in identifying and treating a workplace injury through non-invasive care which is why Congruent Chiropractic conducts thorough examinations during his first session with new patients in order to better assess their injury. Since workplace injuries usually develop over time, it’s important to share all the symptoms you may be experiencing so we can identify the root cause.
Pediatric Chiropractic
Chiropractic care is not just for adults. In fact, more and more parents are seeing the many benefits of their children seeing a chiropractor every single day. Some of the benefits are improved sleep, improved behavior and attitude, and improved immune system function. Children encounter many physical stresses in their life that you may not realize. These stresses can cause your child’s spine to have issues in growth and development.
Pre/Postnatal Chiropractic
Here at Congruent Chiropractic, we offer a conservative approach to treating pregnant women. Our prenatal care is gentle and safe. We aim to alleviate the stress and strains of pregnancy while improving comfort for both the mother and baby. We understand the physical changes that come with pregnancy, and we offer relief without using any drugs.
Worker’s Compensation
Worker’s compensation is a form of insurance that replaces lost wages and pays for medical and chiropractic care for people injured on the job. It typically covers a number of injuries that can happen to nearly any worker. These injuries may occur as a result of a slip and fall accident, tripping over a hazard or on an unsafe surface, or falling off a ladder. For some workers, workers’ compensation will cover injuries that happen while the worker is driving or traveling as part of his or her work duties.
Musculoskeletal disorders affect a person’s muscles, bones, joints and connective tissue, such as tendons and ligaments.
A number of musculoskeletal disorders can keep a worker off the job, including:
- Sprains, strains, and tears
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries
- Headaches and migraines