Did you know…? Chiropractic Edition–Volume 2

 

·      Did you know…that chiropractors search for the underlying causes of symptoms instead of just treating the symptoms?

When you go see a medical doctor for a musculoskeletal complaint, they aren’t the least bit interested in what caused it.  They only care about relieving symptoms, usually with medications); which is great for now…but what happens when those symptoms return a few weeks later?  Or when those medications they gave you cause side effects for which you need more medication?  The chiropractors at Pro Chiropractic care about your symptoms, of course, but we look deeper to determine what is actually causing those symptoms to manifest and we address that.  Do you have low back pain?  That low back pain might not even be from a low back issue.  It may be because your big toe isn’t working the way it’s supposed to which wreaks havoc on the biomechanics of the other joints in your feet, ankles, knees and hips; and because your body is an expert at overcompensating, that pain can manifest in your low back.  Fix the biomechanical issue in the big toe and “voilà”…no more low back pain.

 ·    Did you know…that one of the most important times for a woman to seek chiropractic care is when she is pregnant?

When a woman is pregnant, the baby’s health is directly tied to the mother’s.  If the mother is not eating properly, the baby can be malnourished.  If the mother is not taking care of her body physically, the baby can suffer.  If the mother’s nervous system is not functioning optimally, it can impair the development of the baby.  How can the mother keep her nervous system as healthy as possible?  Go see a chiropractor!  That’s what we do!  We can also give advice on nutrition and exercise.  Receiving consistent spinal adjustments during pregnancy will relieve pressure and irritation on the spinal cord, allowing the nervous system to function without interruption which helps baby as well!  During pregnancy, the body releases a hormone called Relaxin which causes laxity in the pelvic ligaments to prepare the body for the birthing process.  If left unchecked, the ligaments may stretch too much and cause pain and instability in the sacroiliac joints and become a chronic problem after the baby is born.  Chiropractic care during pregnancy can also help reduce labor time, the need for medications during labor, and back pain during the pregnancy. 

·      Did you know…that chiropractic doesn’t actually cure anything?

It’s true!  Chiropractic care doesn’t cure anything.  YOU DO!  Now don’t get me wrong…chiropractic care plays an important role in your health and recovery, it just won’t get rid of cancer or arthritis or any other systemic disease.  Chiropractic care DOES, however, ensure that your nervous system is functioning at an optimum level so that your body, as it is designed to do, can heal itself!  How amazing is that?!?  If your body is firing on all cylinders, it has an amazing ability to heal and to fight off potential disease.  Have you ever noticed that when you are worn out, over stressed, or in pain that you seem to be more susceptible to getting a cold or other common infections?  When your nervous system is impaired, it can negatively affect your immune system which is your body’s defense against disease.  Restoring function to your nervous system through chiropractic care will help rebuild your body’s defenses and promote health within the entire body!

·      Did you know…there are common triggers for migraines?

“Migraine” seems to be the catch-all term for severe headaches, but a migraine headache is not as common as people think.  They have very specific symptoms.  Migraines are typically unilateral, or only affect one side of the head, described as throbbing or pulsating, aggravated by physical activity, and last anywhere from 2 to 72 hours.  There are many different types of migraines, each with its own specific criteria for diagnosis.  The two most common types are classic migraine and common migraine.  A classic migraine is distinguished from a common migraine by the fact that it is preceded by an aura.  The aura can be a disturbance in vision, hearing or overall affect.  Some see spots, zig zagging lines or experience blurring vision, which others notice sensitivity to loud noises or nausea.  Many migraine sufferers say the headaches are triggered by specific things; including foods, beverages, stress, and even smells.  The five most common migraine triggers are:

1. Chocolate

2. Alcohol

3. Perfume

4. Bright lights

5. Changes in weather

·      Did you know…that the human body is about 60% water?

Hydration is a very important part of our health because over half of our body is made up of water.  Staying hydrated has many benefits including weight loss, increased energy, relieving headaches, and helping with digestive issues.  Drinking water replaces high calorie drinks, such as soda and alcohol, with a zero calorie, zero fat, zero carb and zero sugar alternative.  It also acts as an appetite suppressant because it fills the stomach.  This all helps with losing weight.  Are you feeling fatigued, weak, or dizzy?  Drink more water!  If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. And dehydration can sap up your energy and make you feel tired.  It can also cause headaches.  So before you reach of that bottle of ibuprofen or Tylenol…try drinking a glass of water first.  Have you noticed that you’re a little stopped up?  You might not be drinking enough water.  Your digestive system relies heavily on water, and fiber, to move the food through your intestines and absorb the nutrients needed to survive.  If your body is dehydrated, it will pull the water from your digestive tract to use in more important systems which can leave you constipated.  Drinking a glass of water with every meal and carrying a water bottle with your during the day are two simple ways to help you stay hydrated!

If you or someone you know in the Gallatin Valley area is looking for a chiropractor, please call Dr. Shea Stark with Pro Chiropractic at 406-388-9915 to schedule an appointment in our Belgrade, Manhattan, or Bozeman office.  Dr. Stark is a board certified chiropractor and the author of this blog post.  To learn more about Dr. Stark and the many benefits of chiropractic care, please visit our website: www.prochiromt.com.

Did You Know…? Chiropractic Edition–Volume 1

·         Did you know….that 95% of infants are born with misalignments in their spine? 
When a baby is being born, whether naturally or via C-section, 80-90 pounds of pressure is applied to their necks while the physician guides them out of the womb.  That amount of pulling and traction can cause significant subluxations (misalignments) in the spine which can lead to a multitude of problems such as colic, digestive issues, difficulty latching on during breastfeeding, and difficulty sleeping.  A visit to a qualified chiropractor could help relieve these symptoms and improve not only the quality of the baby’s life, but the parents’ as well!

·         Did you know…that chiropractic care can help lower blood pressure naturally?

Approximately 1 in 3 American adults today has hypertension (high blood pressure); and another 1 in 3 has pre-hypertension (on the verge of high blood pressure).  Having high blood pressure puts you at risk for serious health conditions such as stroke, heart attack, and other heart conditions.  A medical doctor's go-to choice for patients with hypertension is medication, but medication typically only manages symptoms and does not solve the underlying problem.  They just try to decrease the symptoms, which ultimately binds you to that medication for the rest of your life.  Chiropractic care, on the other hand, promotes adopting a healthier lifestyle including better diet, more exercise, and reducing stress.  Furthermore, recent studies have shown that chiropractic manipulation to the cervical spine (neck) and thoracic spine (mid back) may relieve pressure on the nervous system in the areas that help control blood pressure.

 

·         Did you know…that chiropractic care may help relieve ear infections and promote proper draining of the Eustachian tubes in the ears?

The first instinct of a parent when their child has an ear infection is to take them to a medical doctor to get antibiotics; however, antibiotics are becoming less and less effective for treating ear infections.  The efficacy of chiropractic care, however, has again been proven.  A study published in 1996 in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics showed that of the 45 children with ear infections treated with chiropractic care, 93% of the cases resolved.  75% of those, resolved within 10 days or less.  (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8728460#)  When a misalignment is present in the upper cervical spine, nerve function is interrupted to many areas in the head, including the Eustachian tubes in the ears.  Decreased nerve function may cause dysfunction in the Eustachian tubes which leads to increased pressure and improper draining of fluid.  When that fluid builds up, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, thus increasing the risk of otitis media (ear infection).  Clearing the misalignments in the cervical spine by chiropractic manipulation helps to relieve pressure in the Eustachian tubes which facilitates proper drainage.

·         Did you know…that only a small percentage of nerves in your body are designed to produce pain?

Only 18% of the nerves in your body produce pain.  That leaves 82% that serve other functions.  You may have nerve dysfunction and not even be aware of it because you don’t feel pain.  All of the nerves in your body stem from your spinal cord which is encased in your spine.  Having a misalignment in your spine puts pressure on those nerves causing them to not function properly.  That dysfunction can lead to a decrease or loss of muscle function, impaired signaling to and from the brain, changes in sensation to a particular part of the body, impairment to digestive and/or reproductive organs, as well as a multitude of other issues…all before you feel pain.  Getting regular chiropractic care maintains the proper alignment of your spine which limits the interference on your nervous system.

·         Did you know…that chiropractic doesn’t cost?  It saves!!!

In November 2010, a study was published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics that compared the cost of medical doctors treating low back pain to chiropractors treating low back pain.  The 85,000 Blue Cross/Blue Shield patients participating in the two year study had their own choice of which type of physician to see for treatment.  Over that time, the paid costs for treatment initiated with a chiropractor was 40% less expensive than seeking treatment with a medical doctor.  In essence, the study showed that it saves money to see a physician who will treat the underlying cause of the problem rather than a physician who will only treat the symptoms.  

If you or someone you know in the Gallatin Valley area is looking for a chiropractor, please call Dr. Shea Stark with Pro Chiropractic at 406-388-9915 to schedule an appointment in our Belgrade, Manhattan, or Bozeman chiropractic clinics. Dr. Stark is a board certified chiropractor and the author of this blog post. To learn more about Dr. Stark and the many benefits of chiropractic care, please visit our website: www.prochiromt.com.



Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – What you Should Know

In the past 15 years, carpal tunnel syndrome has become a “catch all” diagnosis for any wrist or hand pain.  True…it is a very common issue; however, there are specific symptoms which classify your hand issue as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).  There are also several different mechanisms of injury that can lead to CTS.  Surgery may be the first treatment that may be recommended by your friends and even your doctor for CTS, but did you know that there are more conservative ways to relieve your symptoms?

Before we dive into causes, symptoms, and treatments, let’s talk about what CTS actually is.  CTS is the compression of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel of the wrist from the forearm into the hand.  The carpal tunnel itself is a narrow tunnel made up of three carpal (wrist) bones that form an arch.  Nine flexor tendons of the hand and the median nerve pass through this arch.  The transverse carpal ligament closes off the arch securing the contents in the tunnel.  The median nerve supplies sensation to the thumb, index, middle and half the ring finger on the palm side of the hand.  It also innervates muscles in the hand which allow the thumb to move away from the fingers, as well as cross the thumb over the palm to touch the pinky. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome has many different causes, including anatomical variants, overuse injuries, and even fluid retention.  Narrowing of the carpal tunnel itself can also be a result of the misalignment of one or more of the carpal bones that form the tunnel.  The carpal bone misalignment most commonly associated with CTS is when the lunate bone shifts forward thus reducing the size of the tunnel.  Enlargement of the tendons enclosed in the tunnel can also cause narrowing.  This enlargement occurs with injury or overuse of the tendons caused by repetitive motions with the hands, such as using hand tools like a screwdriver or wrench, continuously holding tools that vibrate like dental tools or a drill, or even from constant typing without ergonomic support for the wrists.  Certain conditions, such as pregnancy, menopause, diabetes, obesity, and hypothyroidism, can cause fluid retention in the extremities.  If fluid is retained in the hands or wrists, it can increase the pressure in the carpal tunnel causing compression of the median nerve.

Symptoms of CTS are specific and often allow for easy diagnosis.  In a case of CTS, you will have paresthesia (or altered sensation, such as numbness, tingling, burning or itching) in the thumb, index, middle, and half the ring finger on the palm side of the affected hand.  You could also experience weakness in the muscles of the thenar region (thumb side) of the hand which decrease grip strength and make fine movements of the hand difficult.  In severe cases, you will also notice atrophy (or wasting) of the muscles in the thenar region due to improper function of the medial nerve and disuse of the affected muscles.

There are several treatment options for CTS.  The most commonly known option is surgery.  However, there are more conservative treatments to consider before deciding on surgery, including physical therapy, bracing, and chiropractic care.  Physical therapy will provide exercises to help strengthen and support the wrist and hand.  You may also be given nerve flossing techniques that will promote proper gliding of the nerve through the tunnel which can clear the nerve of any adhesions connecting it to surrounding tissues.  Bracing/Splinting is another option to consider when trying to avoid surgery.  Braces are usually recommended for use while sleeping to help the wrists stay in a more neutral or slightly extended position.  As we sleep, we have a tendency to curl our wrists in toward our body which can cause compression of the median nerve thus producing CTS symptoms.  Braces are not to be worn all the time though because they can hinder proper movement on the wrist and hand which will weaken the muscles.  The most diverse conservative treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome is chiropractic care because there are many different techniques chiropractors can use to help alleviate symptoms.  For example, a chiropractor can perform an extremity adjustment to the carpal bones of the wrist to create more space in the carpal tunnel.  The chiropractors at Pro Chiropractic are all well trained in several different soft tissue techniques that can help reduce swelling, inflammation and adhesions in and around the carpal tunnel which will relieve symptoms of CTS.  We are also trained in different taping techniques that may help reduce swelling, help decompress the inflamed tissues, and provide support to the wrist and hand if necessary.  And just in case you need another reason to see a chiropractor for CTS, we can also provide strengthening and stabilization exercises as well as nerve flossing instruction similar to what you would get when visiting a physical therapist. 

Don’t live another day with pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand and/or wrist!  Call Pro Chiropractic today!!!

If you or someone you know in the Gallatin Valley is suffering from wrist or hand pain, please call your local Bozeman Carpal Tunnel Doctor, Dr. Shea Stark with Pro Chiropractic at 406-388-9915 to schedule an appointment in our Belgrade, Manhattan, or Bozeman office.  Dr. Stark is a board certified chiropractor and the author of this blog post.  To learn more about Dr. Stark and the many benefits of chiropractic care, please visit our website: www.prochiromt.com.