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The survey, reported in the publication’s May 2009 issue, found that more than half of the respondents had “pain (that) severely limited their daily routine for a week or longer, and 88 percent said it recurred throughout the year.” The report stated that while many go to a primary care physician first for diagnosis and treatment, the majority were disappointed with the results.

On the other hand, 59 percent reported that they were “highly satisfied” with the care they received from chiropractors. The next highest rated practitioners were physical therapists (55 percent) and acupuncturists (53 percent), followed by “specialized” physicians (44 percent) and primary care physicians (34 percent).

Respondents were also asked to rate the types of treatments they received. Again, chiropractic/spinal manipulation got top honors, with 58 percent rating it as “helping a lot.” Spinal injections were next highest, rated at 51 percent, followed by massage (48 percent) and physical therapy (46 percent). Other highly rated treatments included prescription medications (45 percent), yoga (44 percent), movement therapy and acupuncture (both 41 percent).

According to a Dynamic Chiropractic article on that report, “Chiropractic ranked first out of 11 treatments, including massage, acupuncture, and exercise, in its ability to treat back pain. More readers said that chiropractic ‘helped me feel much better’ than any of the other therapies.” Prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs ranked eighth and 10th, respectively.

So, if you’ve been “highly satisfied” with your chiropractic care, you’re not alone! In fact, more and more people are turning to chiropractic treatment not only for back pain relief, but for a wide variety of painful conditions from sports and repetitive stress injuries to arthritis.

A public version of the report can be found on the Consumer Reports Web site

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Back pain is frequently a mystery to many of the people who are afflicted by it, and chiropractors are experts at solving that mystery. They want to know why it is that they have not experienced any trauma, accidents, or major injuries before the onset of their pain? The answer is that the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, poor work habits, improper lifting, lack of routine exercise, and other unhealthy lifestyle-related influences cause most back pain. These factors add up over time and produce stresses and imbalances on the spine producing subluxations that can become serious back conditions. The process is similar to the front end of your car being out of alignment. As you decide to drive, there is irregular wear and tear on your tires. If you ignore the problem, the situation could worsen until a tire “blows.” The function of the spine is jeopardized when your spine is misaligned. In other words, it’s not only a problem waiting to happen, it’s a problem waiting to get worse. And then, something as simple as reaching down to pick up a piece of paper can be the “final factor” that produces back injury. When this takes place, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back.

When it comes to problems of the spine, chiropractors have more education, training, and experience than medical doctors. They provide expert diagnosis and competent treatment for all muscular-skeletal problems. In addition to giving welcomed relief to those suffering from back pain, but they know what will assist you in avoiding further back pain. In addition to effectual adjustments and other productive chiropractic therapies, your chiropractor will offer to you a personal exercise strategy and recommend other beneficial lifestyle changes that will keep you well-adjusted and pain-free in the future.

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Anatomy

The spine displays four normal curves: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral, all of which are observable from a side view of the trunk. In the lower spine there is a healthy “C-shaped” curve called swayback or lordosis, while the thoracic curve in the chest vicinity has a “reverse C” called a kyphosis. Hyperlordosis is the term used to describe increased swayback, while increased kyphosis in the thoracic spine is called hyperkyphosis. Diversions from normal that are visible from a side view regularly accompany scoliosis changes. Occasionally round back deformities are simply due to poor posture and can often be corrected with postural exercises. A small number of individuals with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are coincidental with vertebral deformity. This type of deformity, called Scheuermann’s kyphosis, is much more difficult to treat than postural kyphosis, and it’s cause is unknown.

Almost anyone can help to identify a child or grownup with scoliosis merely by looking at the person in a standing position, preferably without a shirt and in boxers, and observing the following:

• One shoulder may be raised than the other.

• One scapula (shoulder blade) may be raised or more pronounced than the other.

• There may be more room between the arm and the body on one side when the arms hang freely at the side.

• One hip may look to be higher or more prominent than the other.

• The head is not aligned with the pelvis.

• One side of the back appears higher than the other when the individual is observed from the rear and asked to bend forward until the the spine is horizontal.

The child or adult should be sent to a healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, for further assessment once scoliosis is detected. your chiropractor would be happy to help.

The most common type of scoliosis is, by far, Idiopathic, and though there are a variety of causes and many kinds, Idiopathic Scoliosis accounts for nearly 85% of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is observed with equal frequency in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. Depending on the age of onset, this disorder can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent types. Idiopathic Scoliosis frequently runs in families and may be caused by genetic or hereditary influences. For reasons yet to be found, girls are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves develop in size and require treatment. As the term “Idiopathic Scoliosis” infers, this kind of scoliosis usually develops when children are ending their last major growth spurt. It is smart to have this age group observed by a professional on a regular basis because young people are hesitant to allow their body to be seen by parents or other adults.

It is vital that if a scoliotic curve is found in a growing adolescent, the curves be monitored for any development by a periodic examination and on occasion standing x-rays. In ninety percent of cases, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, though| increases in spinal deformity necessitate evaluation to determine if a brace or other therapy is necessary. In a small number of patients, surgical treatment may be required.~Surgery may be necessary for a small number of people.

Brace therapy (orthosis) is recommended for newly-identified conditions of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis, as well as when an increase in scoliosis or kyphosis is discovered in both juvenile and adolescent children. There are many kinds of braces, all designed to prevent curves from increasing by acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Braces normally will not make the spine entirely straight, and cannot always keep a curve from increasing. But, bracing is successful in preventing curve progression in a very large number of skeletally-immature adolescents.

There is no simple answer for scoliosis. The majority of cases, even though often monitored, are not actively treated. Severe cases are infrequently treated surgically, but the standard medical treatment for moderate conditions is a brace. You may want to see your local chiropractor first.

Specialized exercise, electric stimulation of spinal muscles, nutritional programs, and chiropractic treatments are among many therapies offered along with bracing. It looks as if the most beneficial results have been supported with a multi-faceted approach to the treatment of this affliction.

There are chiropractors, that have excellent success treating scoliosis symptoms.

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Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been implemented for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. These days, many individuals all over the world are finding relief from their back pain and other health challenges by coming in to see an acupuncturist on a regular basis. Pursuant to traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy, small needles are introduced into the body at precise points that are known to affect various areas of the body. In traditional therapy, only the needles are used, though at times and especially in recent years, small electrical currents are sent through the needles into the body. Although it may seem like it would hurt, it hardly ever does and, in fact, many people feel tranquil and pleasurable sensations during acupuncture treatments.

Chiropractic

Chiropractors, also called doctors of chiropractic, have been assisting individuals suffering from back pain and other problems for over a hundred years. A chiropractor offers therapy to those who are experiencing musculoskeletal and nervous system problems. Chiropractic medicine attends to the abnormalities of the vertebral column that impede the operation of the nervous system. These misaligned vertebra can lower resistance and immunity, therefore producing new health challenges. A proficient chiropractor has excellent observational and diagnostic skills that help in uncovering physical anomalies and joint problems. Many chiropractors employ neurological tests and orthopedic examinations. Some will analyze the posture of a person as a way of identifying postural deviations, and may also analyze an individual’s gait to identify faulty movement patterns. Chiropractic management non-surgical, drug-free treatment and in addtion will offer advice and provide education concerning the advantages of individual lifestyle changes, such as in exercise and nutrition.

So, if you are experiencing back pain, headaches, neck pain, hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, balance challenges, or arthritis, and you’ve tried a number of other things and and you’re still suffering, it could be time for you to try chiropractic and acupuncture. The only way that you’re going to be able to tell is to make an appointment with a good chiropractor or acupuncturist, and to allow them to explain to you precisely what they can do for you. It’s very possible that you will experience some relief from your suffering even after only one visit. With subsequent visits, you will make more advancements and improvements, and it is likely that you will discover that these natural treatments work best for your back pain.

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Low back pain is a common health problem that at some time affects more than 80% of human beings, making it second in frequency only to the common cold. Although most people are aware that the common cold is due to a viral infection, back pain is often a mystery to its sufferers. Your Honolulu Chiropractor is an expert at solving that mystery.

Anatomy

To understand back pain, it is helpful to understand the anatomy of the spine. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back are comprised of posterior joints called facets that link vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the action of the spine. Inter-vertebral discs, comprised of dense cartilage, join the bodies of the vertebrae. This dense cartilage surrounds the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The principal function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also join the vertebrae. The wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine is the sacrum and is joined to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. The spinal cord is positioned between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves go out from the spine between the vertebrae.

Causes of Back Pain

In most cases, back pain comes about without a trauma, an accident, or a major injury prior to the onset. The origin of most back pain is the cumulative effects of awkward sitting posture, bad work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of regular exercise and other negative lifestyle-related factors.  All of these factors create 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 compromised and just the simple act of bending was enough to set off the problem. When this occurs, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Honolulu Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.

Disc Problems & Sciatica

Prolonged sitting, specifically in a awkward position causes increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles around the spine. After a while the lower spine loses its ability to function normally during everyday stresses. Ultimately, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, allowing the soft nucleus to distend the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it causes the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. Sciatica develops when the disc presses on the spinal nerve. The symptoms of sciatica include pain, tingling, numbness, and often weakness in the lower extremities. On occasion if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition is not managed correctly, surgery is necessary to remove the herniated disc material. With chiropractic adjustments and care, which often includes postural exercises, most disc problems, including sciatica, can be mended. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms defined above, it is essential for you to seek chiropractic assistance.

Spondylosis

Repetitive injury to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments may cause increased wearing away and weight-bearing stress on the spine. This stress can unfavorably affect the cartilage around the joints and induce calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae, forming bone spurs. 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 kind of arthritis that seems to affect almost everyone at some point in life, as it is a common part of the aging process of the spine as well. However, influences such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic care 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 Honolulu Chiropractor has helped many Spondylosis sufferers.

Sacroiliac Problems

The sacroiliac joints are a prevalent area of dysfunction or injury in the low back. These weight-bearing joints connect the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are normally very strong and stable. However with trauma such as falls, sports injuries, or lifting heavy objects, the joints can become unstable and relocate to an abnormal position.  This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Pregnancy can also cause this condition. Sacroiliac subluxation produces imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. Individuals with this syndrome will feel pain especially with prolonged standing and walking, or during or after physical activity. Many complain of lack of energy and exhaustion.  Frequently this imbalance can affect structures further up the spine and individuals can develop neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches. 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 prevalent disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine, is subluxated or misaligned facet joints. Subluxations can prevail on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. They not only produce pain, but they can also imparel the spinal nerves as they exit the foramen or spaces between the vertebrae, and produce nerve compression, known as paraethesia. Paraesthesia is an alteration of sensation described as a tingling, burning or “funny feeling.” Paraesthesia in the upper extremities oftenoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is commonly associated with nerve problemsin 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 treated by chiropractic adjustments.

Trauma

Injury such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can cause damage to the spine and lower back. Frequently these traumas create over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine. When this takes place a person can encounter considerable pain and immobility. Proper chiropractic care at the onset of symptoms is crucial in order to prevent 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 conditions of the spine and lower back.

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