Health Information

Information is presented on various health conditions, treatments and procedures with the goal of empowering patients to take an active role in managing their health with informed decisions about their care. This provides patients with knowledge, skills, and confidence to understand conditions and treatment plans that affect them.

The effort ultimately leads to positive experiences with healthcare providers, to improved health outcomes and a better quality of life.

Activator Technique

The Activator Technique of chiropractic treatment makes use of a device known as a mechanical force, manual assisted instrument (MFMA) as an alternative to manual manipulation of the spine or joints. Considered a gentler form of chiropractic treatment, the activator technique involves using the MFMA, a handheld spring-loaded instrument, to deliver enough kinetic energy to the spine to move the vertebrae slightly, correcting misalignment. This treatment method is commonly employed to relieve back pain, neck pain, and various types of headaches. Some studies indicate that the Activator Technique may be as effective as manual adjustment in relieving back pain. ...

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of chronic inflammatory arthritis that significantly affects the joints of the spine. This autoimmune condition causes swelling between the vertebrae, and often affects one or both sacroiliac joints, the joints that attach the spine to the pelvis. In severe cases, the extreme swelling may cause the bones of the spine to fuse. Pain, swelling, and stiffness in the lower back are the typical symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, but inflammation may occur in other parts of the body, including the eyes. Men are more likely than women to develop ankylosing spondylitis and it most commonly occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood. ...

Arthritis

There are two major types of arthritis: osteoarthritis, which is caused by aging and wear-and-tear, and rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the joints. Chiropractic care can be an effective treatment for both. Although the two types of arthritis differ in significant ways, both cause joint pain, stiffness, swelling and immobility that chiropractic treatment may relieve. ...

Back Pain

The spine is the main support for the human body and provides protection for the spinal cord. It is comprised of 33 vertebrae that permit you to maintain an upright position as well as bend. There are three regions of the spine: the cervical or neck area, the thoracic or chest area and the lumbar or lower back area. The sacral and coccyx areas make up the bottom of the spine. ...

Back Pain Prevention

At some point in their lives, the great majority of adults will suffer from significant low back pain, usually from an injury at work, at home or at play. Orthopedists, chiropractors, physical therapists, coaches and trainers all have helpful advice regarding back pain prevention. By following their directives, people can minimize the possibility of back injury, and keep themselves healthier in the process. ...

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is an alternative healthcare approach that focuses primarily on disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors use a hands-on approach to diagnose and treat problems that affect the nerves, muscles, bones and joints by mechanically adjusting the spinal column. Although spinal manipulation is the foundation of chiropractic care, chiropractors, who take a holistic approach to treatment, use many other types of therapy to relieve pain and restore mobility. ...

Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Chiropractic care is a safe, effective means of treatment of symptoms that often arise during pregnancy. A common complaint of pregnant women is back pain, and as many as 75 percent experience back pain during labor. Chiropractic care is a gentle way of ensuring musculoskeletal comfort and alignment as the patient's body changes to become more and more weight-bearing. Studies show that pregnant women who make use of chiropractic therapy achieve a high rate of symptom relief. ...

Bursitis

Bursitis is a common painful disorder involving inflammation of one or more bursae, the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the areas between bones and other body parts. When bursae are damaged by traumatic injury or chronic overuse, they become filled with excess fluid. This inflammation can cause severe pain at the affected site. Bursitis can occur in various regions of the body, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, or ankle. Once bursitis occurs, the patient's movements alter in an attempt to lessen the pain and further misalignments of the spine are likely to occur, exacerbating the condition. ...

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in the wrist that protects the median nerve, the nerve that runs down the arm, through the wrist and into the hand. The median nerve controls some hand movement, and sensation in the thumb, index and middle fingers, and half of the ring finger. Inflammation or compression of the median nerve can cause pain in the wrist and tingling and numbness in the fingers, a condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Since most people sleep with their wrists flexed, symptoms are often first apparent when a patient awakens. As the condition worsens, patients may develop weakened grip strength in addition to their other symptoms. While allopathic medicine often treats this condition with corticosteroid injections and, in severe cases, with surgery, chiropractic care takes a gentler, less invasive approach wherever possible. ...

Chiropractic Care for Children

Chiropractic care is as helpful for children as it is for adults. In addition to strengthening the immune system and treating certain injuries and diseases, in children chiropractic care promotes proper alignment during growth and development. Chiropractic care is used as an adjunct to primary medical care, often enhancing medical treatment and sometimes providing effective relief of symptoms where typical medical remedies fail. In addition to assisting with the neuromuscular conditions so central to adult chiropractic care, chiropractic care for children has frequently proven helpful in solving common childhood complaints typically resistant to treatment. ...

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a debilitating and emotionally troubling disorder, has all too often been dismissed by medical professionals because of its amorphous symptoms and the inability to quantify the condition through diagnostic tests. Chiropractors, however, accustomed to treating symptoms that may be vague and chronic, have helped a great many patients with chronic fatigue syndrome towards recovery. The symptoms of CFS are neurological in origin and include constant exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, headaches, sore throats, joint pains, muscles aches, and swollen lymph nodes. ...

Dizziness

While dizziness is a common complaint, not all patients who complain of being dizzy are reporting the same sensation. The various types of dizziness may have a number of different causes and some are more likely to be responsive to chiropractic treatment than others. Dizziness may have its origin in dysfunction of the inner ear, traumatic injury, Meniere's disease, multiple sclerosis, tumor, hypotension, allergies, extreme anxiety, various medications or illegal drugs, heart abnormalities or internal bleeding. ...

Elbow Conditions

Elbow injuries are common conditions, most often resulting from repetitive strain or overexertion. They frequently occur during sports or exercise, or during certain occupational activities, such as construction work. Chiropractic care is an excellent treatment option for disorders and injuries of the elbow. The holistic approach taken by chiropractors is beneficial both in providing pain relief and in addressing underlying structural or postural causes of such problems. Although elbow conditions vary, they are often treated with many of the same chiropractic techniques. ...

Fertility Issues

Fertility issues are relatively common. These issues are distressing to both men and women and may result from dysfunction in the reproductive tract of either partner. In some cases, no cause of infertility can be isolated. Although some percentage of reproductive problems are related to anatomical abnormalities, diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, or exposure to toxins or radiation, in many cases fertility issues may be associated with improper functioning of the nervous system, a condition chiropractic care is specifically designed to address. ...

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia, a chronic, sometimes disabling, condition that causes fatigue and widespread muscle aches, often responds well to chiropractic treatment. In addition to constant dull pain, patients who suffer from fibromyalgia have specific points on their bodies that are sensitive to even minimal pressure. These tender spots may be present in the back, neck, shoulders and chest, or along the inner knees. Because in many cases conventional medical treatment does not provide sufficient relief, many patients with fibromyalgia turn to chiropractic care. ...

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Chiropractic care, although usually associated with neuromuscular problems, can be very helpful in providing relief from the symptoms of many gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, colitis, gallbladder disease, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and celiac disease. While research studies have not yet established connections between chiropractic treatment and relief of the symptoms of these disorders, there is a large amount of anecdotal evidence supporting this conclusion. In keeping with the views of chiropractic medicine, it is no surprise that manual adjustments of vertebral misalignments should be helpful in decompressing nerves that supply energy to the digestive tract. ...

Headaches and Migraines

Getting a headache is a universal human experience, and most headaches are short-lived and relatively benign. For millions of people, however, headaches are a serious problem because of their frequency or severity. A very small percentage of headaches are due to traumatic brain injury or tumor, and some are the result of anatomical abnormalities or polyps. The vast majority are due to more benign causes. This does not, however, make these headaches any less painful. While conventional medicine treats headaches primarily with medication, chiropractic care for headaches involves hands-on manipulation of misaligned vertebrae to reduce or eliminate nerve compression and increase the flow of oxygen and blood to the affected site. ...

High Blood Pressure

Chiropractic adjustments, long known to be beneficial for back and joint problems, have now also been validated as a means of reducing high blood pressure (hypertension). A recent study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension gives evidence that a chiropractic procedure tailored to the individual patient can significantly reduce hypertension within 8 weeks. The study was performed on 50 patients with early stage high blood pressure, none of whom were taking medication for the condition. The patients were divided into two groups, only one of which actually received appropriate chiropractic treatment. The others, used as a control group, underwent placebo procedures. Those who received appropriate chiropractic treatment had a 14 point drop in their systolic pressure and an average 8 point drop in their diastolic pressure. ...

Joint Pain

Joint pain is a common complaint, often prompting patients to seek chiropractic or other medical care. When joints, the places where bones meet in order to facilitate movement, get out of alignment, several painful conditions can result. Joint misalignment affects both muscles and nerves, often resulting not only in localized pain, but in radicular pain, pain that runs down the adjacent limb. Although any joint can move out of its correct position, the joints that most often bring patients in for treatment are the facet joints of the back, the sacroiliac (SI) joints and the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). ...

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system. The disorder causes an inflammation of the myelin sheath, the outer covering of the nerves, precipitating a wide variety of symptoms, including muscles weakness, pain, numbness, decreased coordination, spasticity (muscle stiffness) and, when the optic nerve is affected, visual difficulties. Chiropractic care, with its holistic emphasis on correcting spinal misalignments to allow the body to heal itself, is a natural treatment for this disease. ...

Muscle Spasms

Muscles spasms, or sudden involuntary contractions of muscles, are a common, painful ailment. Spasms occur as the body's reaction to sudden trauma, as during a vehicular of athletic accident, or repetitive trauma, as occurs when people remain in an uncomfortable position for too long, exercise without warming up, carry unusually heavy loads, or work physically hard in extreme heat. Muscle spasms are the body's way of protecting an injured joint by preventing further movement. Chiropractic care, which focuses on spinal and joint manipulation, as well as stretching and massage, can be very helpful in relaxing the affected muscles and relieving the intense pain of muscle spasms. ...

Neck Pain, Stiffness and Radiculopathy

The neck, or cervical section of the spine, is a crucial area of the body since it supports the skull and brain. While mild stiff necks are a common complaint, more serious neck pain, particularly pain that is radicular, or travels down the arm, may be cause for concern. There are two types of neck pain: mechanical, which is caused by injury and subsequent inflammation of the soft tissues of the region, and cervical radiculopathy. ...

Spine Conditions

Ever since homo sapiens evolved into upright creatures, there has been strain placed on the spinal column. Chiropractors are able to treat spinal disorders that occur because of birth defects, injuries, repetitive stress or disease processes. Through manual adjustments, chiropractors correct misalignments of the vertebrae in the spine, decompressing discs and nerves in the process. By restoring proper alignment of the vertebrae, they help to restore musculoskeletal, neurological, and vascular health, promoting proper circulation so that all systems of the body receive proper oxygenation and nourishment. ...

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a common painful disorder involving inflammation of a tendon, a band of tissue that joins muscle to bone. Tendonitis can be effectively treated with chiropractic care. There are a tendons at various regions of the body, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle, and any one of them can become inflamed because of traumatic injury, chronic overuse, or an underlying disease condition. Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or lupus can make tendonitis more likely to occur. Injuries that may precipitate tendonitis include sports activities or accidents that stretch the tendon beyond its normal range or twist it abnormally. Once patients are suffering the acute pain of tendonitis, they often move in ways that worsen the condition by resulting in misalignments of the spine. ...

Upper Respiratory Infections

Upper respiratory infections, or URIs, are illnesses that affect the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, ears, throat, tonsils, sinuses, and bronchial tubes. The most common upper respiratory infection is the common cold. The flu, while it has some other systemic symptoms, is also considered a respiratory infection. Although some upper respiratory infections may be bacterial, most are viral and so do not respond to antibiotic treatment. In many cases, upper respiratory infections respond well to chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments at the onset of the infection may lessen its duration and keep it from developing into a more serious, bacterial infection. ...

Whiplash

Whiplash is a painful, sometimes immobilizing, injury of the head and neck that can often be effectively treated with chiropractic care. Whiplash occurs when a sudden backwards-forwards motion of the head, commonly the result of vehicular accidents or sports injuries, causes muscles and ligaments of the neck to move beyond their normal range of motion. Most often whiplash injuries are limited to strains, sprains, and inflammations of the nerves or facet joints. ...

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that is characterized by extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest. Fatigue caused by this condition is ongoing and may worsen after physical activity or mental exertion. Anyone can suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, although it is most common in middle aged women. The exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown which makes this condition difficult to treat. ...

Degenerated Discs

Degenerated discs are a common back problem. The spinal discs, which are soft, gelatinous cushions that separate the vertebrae, wear down during the aging process. Because the discs function as between-the-bones shock absorbers, allowing the spine to bend and twist, this deterioration can result in serious back pain. As discs are damaged or wear away, the amount of space between the vertebrae gets smaller. As the space narrows, joints are placed under greater stress, resulting in further degeneration. ...

Diversified Technique

Diversified technique is the primary treatment used by chiropractors to correct subluxations (partial dislocations) of the spine. Chiropractic medicine focuses on restoring biomechanical function to each section of the spine: lumbar, thoracic and cervical. Since the original development of the diversified technique, this method has evolved as a means to adjust the joints of the extremities as well as those of the limbs. This adaptation has broadened the use of diversified technique to assist in treating sports injuries and injuries due to other causes. ...

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Electric muscle stimulation (EMS) is a method of treatment frequently used in chiropractic therapy to relieve muscle spasms and pain. During EMS, electrodes attached to an electric stimulation machine are placed on the patient's areas of discomfort, transmitting mild electrical current to the region. The purpose of EMS is to decrease pain, strengthen muscles, and reduce inflammation. Patients who undergo electric muscle stimulation most often find it soothing and pleasant, something like a deep electrical massage. ...

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes fatigue, as well as widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. People with fibromyalgia have specific tender points on their bodies that are particularly sensitive when pressure is applied. Fibromyalgia is also associated with sleep problems, headaches and trouble concentrating. Women are more likely than men to develop fibromyalgia, as are people between 40 and 60 years old. ...

Gonstead Technique

The Gonstead technique stems from an understanding of chiropractic medicine as a field with some connection to engineering and architecture. The concept postulates that the body, like any structure, must have a substantial, reliable foundation in order to function well. In the case of the human body, this foundation is the pelvic girdle, the bony structure of the hip bones and lower spine. When the pelvic girdle is stable and well-aligned, the body works well, but when there are subluxations or misalignments, health disorders can occur. ...

Migraine Headache

Migraines are chronic headaches that cause intense pain, and throbbing or pulsing sensations in the head. Along with severe head pain, some people also experience nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. The pain and symptoms of a migraine may last from hours to days at a time. Most people experience recurring migraine headaches that may be triggered by stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, certain foods or changes in sleep patterns. Migraines are more common in women than men and they may develop as a result of genetic or environmental factors. Migraines can begin at any age, though most people experience their first migraine during adolescence. ...

Heat Therapy

Heat therapy, also known as thermotherapy, involves the application of heat to the body to relieve pain, increase circulation and mobility, and assist in the healing process. Frequently used by chiropractors and physical therapists, heat therapy has a long medical history as an a means of rehabilitation. Moist heat is sometimes considered even more effective because water carries heat more rapidly than air, though research has not confirmed this. ...

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc (also called a ruptured or slipped disc) is a damaged "cushion" between two bones in the spine (vertebrae). Normally, the gelatinous discs between the vertebrae hold the bones in place and act as shock absorbers, permitting the spine to bend smoothly. When a disc protrudes beyond its normal parameters, and its tough outer layer of cartilage cracks, the disc is considered "herniated." ...

Low-Level Laser Therapy

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), also known as cold laser therapy, is a treatment in which specific wavelengths of light are used to help invigorate the body's natural healing process. LLLT is often used in chiropractic medicine to help improve cell function and increase circulation. Approved by the FDA, cold laser therapy has proven to be an effective method of pain relief, particularly in combination with chiropractic manipulation. It not only relieves pain and inflammation, but reduces spasms and increases mobility. It can be used for patients with chronic disease conditions as well as those with acute injuries. ...

Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is the most common cause for a work-related disability and one of the main reasons for people staying home from work. The lower back is one of the most important parts of the body as it holds most of our body weight when we stand and is involved in movement when we bend or twist at the waist. Because of its pivotal role and frequent use, the lower back is susceptible to injury and chronic pain. Lower back pain is especially common in older adults who may have decreased bone strength and muscle elasticity. The spongy cartilage pads, called intervertebral discs, that allow for flexibility may wear away and weaken in an elderly person. ...

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy involves hands-on stimulation of the soft tissues of the body to increase blood flow and stimulate the healing process. During massage, skin, muscles, joints and connective tissue are manipulated as a means of reducing pain and stress. Massage therapists are trained professionals who use specific techniques to treat various medical problems. ...

Mechanical Traction

Mechanical traction is an effective, nonsurgical treatment for spinal pain. While it can be performed manually by a chiropractor or physical therapist, it usually has a greater rate of success when administered mechanically by a device specially designed for the purpose. The machine is normally a special table that uses ropes or pulleys that attach either to the neck, legs or lower back. By pulling on the vertebrae with gentle force, often exerted against gravity, mechanical traction reduces pressure on the vertebral discs, thus straightening the spine and permitting improved circulation. These actions reduce pain, allowing the body to heal itself without interference. ...

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating condition that affects the central nervous system, and disrupts the communication between the brain and other parts of the body. MS is believed to be an autoimmune disease that causes the wearing away of the myelin sheath, the protective covering of the nerves, resulting in a slowing or stoppage of the transmission of nerve impulses. Symptoms of MS may vary depending on the amount of damage and the specific nerves that are affected, but it can can gradually affect vision, speech, movement, walking, and memory. MS commonly affects women more than men and is typically diagnosed in women between the ages of 20 and 40. ...

Neck Pain

Neck pain, or a stiff neck, involves discomfort and possibly soreness in the neck. Often it becomes painful to turn the head. The majority of neck pain cases are the result of muscle strain in the neck, often brought on by poor posture, awkward sleep positions or a jarring movement. If the nerves are affected, you may experience tingling, numbness or a weakening of the neck, arm or hand. More serious causes of neck pain include falls, accidents, problems in the spinal canal or vertebrae and fibromyalgia. ...

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a form of therapy designed to relieve chronic and acute pain through special, targeted massage that aims to reduce tightness within the fascia, a sheet of connective tissue below the surface of the skin. Tightness within the fascia can restrict a patient's range of motion or cause the patient to favor one side of the body. The goal of myofascial release is to relieve pain and allow the patient to regain range of motion. ...

Nerve Pain

Nerve pain often results from nerve entrapment syndrome, the damage caused when a nerve is pinched or compressed. Patients with this condition may experience mild or severe pain that is temporary or chronic. The nerves of the body extend from the brain and spinal cord, threading through to every region of the body. The compression of the nerve can take place in the spine, causing pain to radiate into the limbs, or can take place in other parts of the body. It may occur do to a traumatic injury, repeated stress, or an underlying disease condition. ...

Neuromuscular Re-Education

Neuromuscular re-education is a mode of therapy used by chiropractors and physical therapists to assist in restoring normal movement after injury. Normally, muscles and nerves work together to produce movements. In fact, it is believed that nerves and muscles are so in tune that such collaborative patterns are reinforced over time, stored in the brain, and become automatic. A good example of this process is the way people come to walk stairs, adjusting to step height without conscious thought. When disease or traumatic injury interrupt this process, neuromuscular re-education can help to restore the patient's neuromuscular function. ...

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition caused by damage within the nerve fibers, resulting in the delivery of incorrect signals to the brain. Neuropathic pain, a response to injury to the central nervous or peripheral nervous system, usually causes tissue damage. What makes neuropathic pain so difficult to treat is that it is not only chronic and severe, but unresponsive to simple analgesic relief. ...

Pain Management

An estimated 70 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain is a major medical condition distinctly different from and more complex than acute pain. Whereas acute pain is a normal sensation triggered in the nervous system to alert the body to possible injury, chronic pain is a state in which pain persists, for many months or years, beyond the normal course required by healing. The effects, both economic and personal, associated with chronic pain can be significant. They include loss of income; debt from costly medical treatment; impaired mobility; and anxiety and depression. ...

Personal and Auto Accident Injuries

Many individuals turn to physical therapy and chiropractic care when they have been injured in an auto, job-related, or other type of accident. Such injuries can be overwhelming emotionally as well as physically. Working on an individual therapeutic basis with a skilled professional can be both reassuring and healing. For the majority of injuries, there are several types of care available as alternatives or adjuncts to surgical treatments Such hands-on physical therapies have several advantages: they are non-invasive, less expensive, and less painful than other types of treatment, and produce no scarring. ...

Rehabilitation for Spinal Conditions

Rehabilitation for spinal problems may be prescribed before or after spinal surgery, or in the hope that it will make surgery unnecessary. Whenever it is prescribed, rehabilitation for the back is designed to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and restore strength and mobility. Sometimes, treatment also attempts to realign mild anatomical deformities that may be the result of congenital defects, diseases or injuries. Physical rehabilitation for spinal problems includes ice, heat, hydrotherapy, massage, electrical stimulation and ultrasound, in addition to physical exercises specifically tailored to strengthen the spine. ...

Rehabilitation for Whiplash

Whiplash is a common condition that occurs when a sudden backward-forward motion of the head causes muscles and ligaments in the neck to move beyond their normal range of motion. Whiplash injuries are frequently associated with vehicular accidents and contact sports. No single treatment has proven effective for all whiplash injuries, but there are many viable treatment options available. The first treatment for a whiplash injury is usually the application of ice for 24 hours. After that, passive treatments, which are administered by physicians or other medical professionals, and do not require patient participation, are typically used. Passive therapy is designed not only to relieve pain and improve mobility, but to help patients heal enough so that they can engage in the active exercises that will lead to full rehabilitation. ...

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, also known as sacroiliitis, is the inflammation of one or both of the sacroiliac joints, the joints that link the pelvis and lower spine by connecting the sacrum to the iliac bones. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction may be caused by injury, pregnancy, osteoarthritis, degeneration of cartilage, or inflammatory joint disease. At times, a structural abnormality, such as legs of differing lengths or severe pronation, may put increased stress on the joint, resulting in this problem. Patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction typically experience pain in the buttocks and lower back that worsens when running or standing. While a traumatic injury may cause this problem, it more often develops gradually over a long period. ...

Sciatica

Sciatica is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body. The sciatic nerve stretches from the spinal cord to the end of each leg and may become inflamed for a number of reasons, including age-related changes in the spine, obesity, or a sedentary lifestyle. Sciatica usually develops gradually as the nerve is compressed over time. This results in pain along the nerve pathway, as well as numbness, tingling and muscle weakness in the affected area. ...

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. While all spines have a natural curve, patients with scoliosis have excessive spinal curving. Usually scoliosis develops during the growth spurt before puberty, between the ages of 9 and 15. Although some cases of scoliosis are congenital, and some are the result of underlying neuromuscular conditions, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, most cases of scoliosis are idiopathic, meaning their cause is unknown. Both girls and boys can develop scoliosis, but cases in females are more likely to require treatment. In some cases, scoliosis appears to be hereditary. ...

Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression is a therapeutic treatment option for patients suffering from chronic back, neck and leg pain caused by herniated, bulging, or degenerating discs in the spine. This nonsurgical system gently stretches affected areas of the spine to reduce pressure on the discs and relieve symptoms such as tingling, numbness and pain. This newest type of spinal decompression, which is controlled by a computer system, replaces the older mechanical type of traction decompression used by medical professionals for many years. ...

Spinal Instability

Spinal instability, or disc disruption, is a disorder in which there is abnormal motion between the vertebrae. This can be caused by a congenital condition or may be the result of a traumatic injury. It can also be caused by spinal degeneration due to arthritis or osteoporosis, previous surgery, or the presence of a tumor. When a disc degenerates and possibly extends beyond the parameters of the spinal column, vertebrae move in an abnormal way, shifting the vertebral (facet) joints out of proper alignment. Too much irregular movement of the facet joints encourages the growth of bone spurs in the joints as well as arthritis which may further exacerbate the problem. ...

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing in one or more areas of the spinal canal as a result of injury or deterioration of the discs, joints or bones of the spine. Most cases of spinal stenosis develop as a result of the degenerative changes that occur during aging. Osteoarthritis is the main cause of spinal stenosis, since this condition causes deterioration of cartilage in the area that leads to the bones rubbing against each other. As bones make repeated abnormal contact, bone spurs form, narrowing the spinal canal. ...

Thompson Technique

The Thompson Technique is a technique of chiropractic medicine that uses a segmental drop table to intensify the force of thrust during a chiropractic adjustment. Originally invented and patented by Dr. Thompson in the mid 1950s, the table was originally designed with a dropping headpiece segment. Another chiropractor later invented a more complex table with drop pieces to accommodate other regions of the spine, such as the dorsal, lumbar and pelvic areas.The Thompson Technique is employed to increase the motion of the spinal joints being adjusted. ...

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a disorder in which pain results from the compression of nerves or blood vessels within the thoracic outlet, the space just below the neck, between the collarbone and ribs. This condition commonly develops as a result of traumatic or repetitive injury. Symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome vary depending on the type and severity of the condition, but frequently present as pain between the muscles of the neck and shoulder or between the first rib and collarbone. In the majority of cases, the condition is neurogenic, not vascular, in origin. ...

Trigger Point Therapy

Chiropractors and many other therapists, including physiatrists and osteopaths, often focus their therapeutic attention on trigger points, the hypersensitive spots in muscle tissue that develop as a result of overuse or misuse of muscles. Trigger points are actually palpable nodules located in deep muscle fibers. Trigger points generally develop due to muscle overload which may result from injury, muscular atrophy due to illness, or excessive exercise. The nodules that appear in the deep muscle tissue are considered to be small knots of spasmodic muscle contraction. ...

Vertebral Subluxation

Vertebral subluxation is a chiropractic term referring to a misalignment, or minimal dislocation, of the bones of the spinal column (vertebrae). When a vertebra moves out of position, it can create pressure on a spinal nerve. This interferes with communication among the nerves, possibly setting the stage for an injury or the beginning of a disease process. Chiropractors are professionals who have gone through extensive training in order to be able to detect vertebral subluxations and correct them through manual manipulations called "adjustments." ...

Ultrasound Therapy

While ultrasound is used for diagnosis and observation in many medical disciplines, such as vascular surgery and obstetrics, chiropractors and physical therapists commonly use ultrasound as a treatment mode. Applied to the patient's skin using a device called a transducer, therapeutic ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to penetrate deep into muscle tissue to relieve pain, increase circulation, and reduce inflammation and spasms. Ultrasound treatment is effective in treating vehicular and sports injuries and can also be helpful in treating the ongoing pain of certain systemic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. ...