Back Pain – Back pain is one of the most common disorders affecting American adults. It is estimated that 80% of the adult population will have back pain at some time. Growing numbers of back pain sufferers are turning to chiropractic each year and are finding relief. Many people who were frustrated before seeking chiropractic treatment, return to an active lifestyle, not restricted by disabling pain.

Muscle Spasm – Most people who develop acute back pain, but have not had a back injury, are usually told they have muscle spasms. Back muscles do not just “spasm” for no reason. Muscle spasms are commonly triggered by a joint pinching in the spine. Chiropractic manipulation has proven to be an effective treatment for muscle spasms, as it treats the actual cause of the spasm.

Arm Pain or Numbness – Several causes of arm pain, numbness or tingling originate in the neck. Restricted movement of a spinal joint may cause direct friction to the nerve root as it exists the spine or secondary muscle tightness which can also produce nerve friction. Degeneration or thinning of the spinal discs narrow the nerve openings in the spine and predispose to nerve irritation. Even those with disc thinning or degeneration, however, typically respond well to chiropractic treatment if normal joint movement can be restored.

Degenerative Arthritis – Degenerative Arthritis of the spine is one of the most common disorders limiting function in persons over 50 years of age. While degenerative arthritis of the spine cannot be cured, the pain that accompanies it can often be improved with chiropractic treatment. Specific chiropractic adjustments of the spine improve spinal mobility and unlock the spinal joints, helping to relieve accompanying muscular contractions, as well as irritation of spinal nerve roots. For many suffering from degenerative arthritis of the spine, chiropractic treatment can provide relief.

Disc Problems – The spinal discs are cartilage pads which fit between the vertebrae of the spine. Spinal Discs are prone to “wear” with time and aging. In adults over the age of 30, disc disorders causing back pain and often pain radiating down one or both legs are common. A “slipped” or herniated disc is perhaps the most common reason for which people have back surgery. Anyone with back or leg pain should have a chiropractic evaluation to determine whether chiropractic treatment would be appropriate for their particular condition. Many patients receiving this type of treatment will be able to avoid difficult back surgery.

Sports Injuries – The nature of treatment for sports and exercise related injury is changing. One of the most significant changes in recent years is the emergence of chiropractors as important providers of care to the injured athlete and exerciser. There is a high incidence of spinal strain and sprain type injuries in sports and exercise. Chiropractic treatment is particularly effective in dealing with these types of injuries and returning the injured athlete or exerciser to their previous participation level.

Headaches – Headache is one of the most common disorders from which people suffer. A significant number are being found to be caused by disorders of the neck. Joint and muscle problems in this area can cause headache radiating from the back of the skull to the temple or over and behind the eyes. This is referred to as cervicogenic headache. In susceptible individuals, the same muscle and joint problems can also be associated with migrainous type headaches. For many patients, chiropractic manipulation has long proven to be an effective treatment for cervicogenic and migrainous type headaches.

Work Injuries – Time loss or disability from work is an immense problem in terms of human suffering and economic impact. The only disorder to cause more time loss from work than back pain is the common cold. In adults under the age of 45, back pain is the leading cause. Chiropractic treatment has long proven to be effective in treating the typical back injuries which occur on the job and getting employees back to work in a timely fashion.

Unequal Leg Length – Approximately 10%-15% of the population will have one leg simply having grown ¼” to ½” longer than the other. The greatest problem that leg length inequality causes is that of back pain. Studies have shown this to be as much as 2 to 5 times the normal rate. The second most common problem in those with imbalance is pain in the hip or knee on the side of the longer leg. Anyone with back, hip or knee pain should be evaluated for leg length inequality. Correction of leg length inequality is a two part process. Chiropractic treatment for the correction of misalignment and tightness of the joints of the pelvis and lower back, which so commonly occur with different leg lengths, along with a lift placed in the shoe on the short leg side. These procedures are often enough to correct even the most chronic back and hip pain.

Sciatica – The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back through the hip and down the leg. Inflammation of this nerve is called sciatica. The most common cause is pinching or irritation of the nerve in the lower spine. “Slipping” of a disc, a slight displacement of a spinal joint, bone spurs or a combination of these problems are typical causes of sciatic nerve irritation. Sciatica is one of the most common conditions for which back surgery is recommended. Chiropractic manipulation can be an effective conservative treatment for those with sciatica, preventing the need for spinal surgery in many patients.

Scoliosis - Normally a person’s spine when viewed from the back should be in a straight line. A lateral curvature in this normally straight line is called a scoliosis. Indications that a scoliosis may be developing are uneven heights of the shoulders, unevenness of the back surface from side to side or unevenness of the ribs in the front or on the side. All children should have a periodic screening examination for scoliosis, particularly if any of the above indications are observed. Left untreated, scoliosis can lead to painful arthritis of the spine. A careful chiropractic examination and x-rays when appropriate, can determine the type of scoliosis a patient may have and evaluate the magnitude of any curvature. Certain types of scoliosis can be stabilized with chiropractic treatment, others may require an orthopedic referral. The most common difficulty adults face with scoliosis is that of back pain. Chiropractic manipulation has been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for back pain and may offer ongoing relief for the disabling pain that can occur in adult scoliosis.

Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery – For some patients who are not responsive to conservative treatment, back surgery is helpful in returning them to normal function. For an unfortunate number however, back surgery is unsuccessful and leads to progressive pain and disability. Many people believe that once they have had back surgery, they cannot be helped by chiropractic treatment. This is not true. Patients who have had unsuccessful back surgery are good candidates for chiropractic treatment. Many can be helped, returning to a more pain free and active lifestyle.

Whiplash Injuries – Whiplash is a term used to describe the neck injury which commonly occurs as a result of a motor vehicle accident. A classic example is having your head thrown backward and then forward in a rear-end collision. Muscles and tendons in your neck become strained and ligaments and joints become sprained. Chiropractic has done well over the years treating whiplash injuries, helping to prevent many of these injuries from becoming chronic and reducing pain and suffering in many that have.

Stiff Neck – A stiff painful neck is a common problem. Most people just wake up with it. A stiff neck is most commonly caused by pinching of facet joints, small pain sensitive spinal joints that can trigger pain in the neck, back of the shoulders, muscle spasm and headache. Chiropractic manipulation can be very effective in freeing the problem for both acute and chronic stiff neck. Exercises are often then used in addition to treatment to improve neck joint flexibility and to improve muscle tone.

Sacroiliac Pain – There are two sacroiliac joints, one lying on either side of the center of the lower back, about 2” below the belt line. Those with sacroiliac pain often describe the location as in the “hip” or the buttocks. Sacroiliac injuries often occur as the result of sudden movements, such as a twist. Certain postural problems, such as scoliosis or hyperlordosis (“swayback”) can also predispose patients to this type of trouble. Sacroiliac pain is also common during pregnancy and following delivery because of stress on the joint during these times. Chiropractic treatment is an effective way of dealing with this often overlooked cause of back pain.

Shoulder Pain – Shoulder pain is quite common in all adults after the age of 30 years. Although direct injury to the shoulder certainly can cause pain, joint dysfunction in the neck is a contributing factor in many cases. Several important muscles in the shoulder also connect to the neck. Irritation in the neck can cause these muscles to tighten and affect the movement of the shoulder joints. Because of this relationship between the neck and shoulder, chiropractic treatment has commonly been helpful to many suffering with shoulder pain. 

Pinched Nerves – The spinal nerves that pass through the vertebra in your neck and back can become pinched or irritated. You may experience a sharp shooting pain, tingling, weakness, numbness or a cramping sensation in your arm or leg. Pinched nerves can be caused by a variety of joint and disc problems. Chiropractic treatment is often successful in resolving this condition and should be considered by anyone with these symptoms. 

Postural Syndrome – The painful outcome of abnormal posture is strained muscles and ligaments. Poor posture is easily observable from the front and back, where any unleveling of your head, shoulders and pelvis can be seen. From the side, any abnormal curvatures of your spine are readily visible. As your feet are the foundation for a healthy posture, foot problems such as “flat feet” can also contribute to stress and pain in other parts of your body. Chiropractic manipulation, specific postural exercises and when appropriate, structural support, such as heel lifts or custom foot orthotics prescribed by your chiropractor, can improve your posture, reducing postural stress and strain.