Low back pain is a common health challenge that at some point affects more than 80% of people, making it second in commonality only to the common cold. However, unlike the common cold, back pain is often perplexing to most of its sufferers. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor is an expert at solving that mystery.

Anatomy

Knowledge of the anatomy of the spine is very important in understanding back pain. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back consist of posterior joints called facets that join vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the action of the spine. Inter-vertebral discs, made of strong cartilage, link the bodies of the vertebrae. This dense cartilage covers the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also link the vertebrae. The sacrum is a wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine. It is attached to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. The spinal cord is positioned between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves exit the spine between the vertebrae.

Causes of Back Pain

The majority of back pain victims have not experienced any trauma, accidents or major injuries prior to the onset of their problem. The cumulative effects of awkward sitting posture, bad work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of proper exercise, and other negative lifestyle-related factors produce most back pain.  All of these factors produce stresses and imbalances on the spine and eventually generate pain. This is why people can often injure their back merely by bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The spine was already at risk and just the simple act of bending was enough to set off the problem. When this happens, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.

Disc Problems & Sciatica

Increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles encompassing the spine can come about during and after prolonged sitting, especially in a awkward position. Eventually the lower spine loses its ability to function normally during everyday stresses. Finally, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, letting the soft nucleus to bulge the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it creates the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, one can develop sciatica, which is defined as pain, tingling, numbness, and on occasion weakness in the lower extremities. On occasion if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition is not managed correctly, surgery is required to remove the herniated disc material. With chiropractic adjustments and care, which often includes postural exercises, most disc complications, including sciatica, can be mended. If you are experiencing any of the problems defined above, it is very important for you to seek chiropractic attention.

Spondylosis

Repetitive assault to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments may cause increased wearing away and weight-bearing stress on the spine. Bone spurs are produced when the cartilage around the joints is adversely affected by stress that causes calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae. These spurs can compress adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This condition – known as Spondylosis – is a type of arthritis that is likely to affect almost everyone at some point in life, as it is a common part of the aging process of the spine as well. Nevertheless, factors such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic adjustments and overall chiropractic management is very effective in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as aiding Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor has treated many Spondylosis sufferers.

Sacroiliac Problems

The sacroiliac joints are a general area of dysfunction or injury in the low back. These weight-bearing joints attach the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are innately very strong and stable. However with damage such as falls, sports injuries, or lifting heavy objects, the joints can become unstable and move to an abnormal position.  This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Women may get this condition during or after their pregnancy. Sacroiliac subluxation causes imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. Those with this condition will feel pain especially with prolonged standing and walking, or during or after physical activity. Many complain of lack of energy and exhaustion.  Other symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches, can advance further up the spine. Chiropractic adjustments and treatment are extremely effective in correcting this problem by establishing proper alignment of the joints.. Ask your Fort Worth chiropractor how you can receive effective pain relief.

Spinal Subluxation

A commonplace disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine, is subluxated or misaligned facet joints. Subluxations can happen on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. Subluxations are not only painful, but they can constrict the nerves as they exit the foramen (or spaces) between the vertebrae, creating paraesthesia. Paraesthesia is a change of sensation described as a tingling, burning or “funny feeling.” Paraesthesia in the upper extremities usuallyoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is commonly associated with nerve dysfunctionin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also belinked to, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best corrected by chiropractic adjustments.

Trauma

Injury such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can cause damage to the spine and lower back. Many times these traumas cause over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine. When this takes place a person can experience considerable pain and immobility. Expert chiropractic treatment at the onset of symptoms is vital in order to avoid long term disability and the development of any of the above conditions. If you experience a trauma, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is often associated with low back pain. Chiropractic care offers exceptional pain relief.

When it comes to the spine, chiropractors have more education and training than medical doctors. I can provides state of the art diagnosis and skilled treatment for any of the above-mentioned problems of the spine and lower back.

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One of the most frequently misunderstood conditions among people is arthritis..Often the word, “arthritis,” produces fear of a future that includes crippled and twisted joints.  However “arthritis” is generic word that encompasses many different conditions from the benign to the severe. For our purposes we will limit this discourse to the most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are the names for the most common form of arthritis, which is also called, spondylosis, if it occurs in the spine. This form of arthritis is not limited to humans, but occurs in all mammals, and is due to the degradation of the cartilage that protects the joint surfaces. Degenerative changes in the joint takes place when joint cartilage is injured and causes stress to the sensitive bone tissue that is normally preserved by the cartilage. Sometimes the bone around the joint will proliferate and make osteophytes, or what are often called bone spurs. These spurs can produce painful irritation to other tissues adjacent to the joint, in this way complicating the already distressing condition. 

Degenerative joints most often occur in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, hips, and fingers. Everyone may experience DJD at one point in their lives, though previous trauma, ones occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity impact the degree of the condition and its onset.

Pain and/or stiffness in the affected joints are primary indicators of DJD. If the weight-bearing joints, such as the hips or knees are involved, ones mobility can be affected notably in the more advanced stages of the condition.  In some cases, if the joint is sufficiently worn and the person can no longer walk without severe pain, the joints are surgically replaced with synthetic devices. Of course, one should make an effort to manage the condition early on in ones life to avoid the need for surgery.

The best management of DJD is, of course, prevention that involves taking care of ones joints at an early age.

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

• Care should be taken to cushion knees from strain and pain when kneeling on hard surfaces.

• The natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants included in fruits and vegetables are vital for healthy joints and a healthy body.

Recent studies have shown that long-term use of the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can not only assist with DJD symptoms, but can possibly help to rebuild joint cartilage.

Chiropractic adjustments help to restore proper mobility and function to the spinal joints. Chiropractic care is not only safe, but extremely effective in relieving the debilitating pain of arthritis. Your Fort Worth chiropractor is highly skilled when it comes to arthritic pain relief. In addition, chiropractic modalities such as joint mobilization, ultrasound, cold laser therapy, massage and electro-therapy may be used to aid in the treatment of painful and stiff joints. On occasion a brace is used to help stabilize the joint in order to alleviate pain. Movement is vital to the maintenance of arthritic joints. A chiropractor often suggests gentle, mobilizing activities such as stretching, yoga, and tai chi can be beneficial.

Gout

Gouty arthritis is caused by increased levels of uric acid in the blood and the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. The most common joints are the big toes, the knees, ankles and wrists, and is often characterized by acute pain and swelling. Many people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are generally brought on by binge eating of the wrong foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Foods that must be avoided include a natural substance called Purines that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. Individuals with this condition cannot efficiently metabolize uric acid, thus the buildup in the bloodstream and the resultant joint problems. The foods most connected with high purine content are: red meat especially organ meat, certain seafood, legumes, mushrooms and other foods as well. There are other dietary restrictions that must be followed including refraining from drinking alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of systemic origin. The primary cause is not known, but it is thought to be connected to a problem with the immune system. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, although other areas of the body can be affected as well. The condition is generally associated with morning stiffness that is aggravated by motion. Other symptoms can involve general malaise and fatigue, and in its more advanced stages other systems of the body may be affected. Rheumatoid arthritis can be easily identified through definitive blood tests. Though, currently, there is no cure, in addition to medication and vitamin and diet therapy, treatment should include chiropractic manipulations to mobilize joints and help to relieve the pain and stiffness accompanying this disease. Additional modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy, and massage may also be beneficial. Your Fort Worth chiropractor is dedicated to assisting individuals in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

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