Honolulu Chiropractor

The performance of many different motions and activities is the result of the complexity of the shoulder joint. The shoulder bones, i.e., the scapula, clavicle and humerus, are fastened together by ligaments and nearly 20 different muscles. The primary articulation, the glenohumeral joint, is connected by ligaments and a group of muscles (and their tendon attachments) known as the rotator cuff. Shoulder pain and disability are generally caused by problems with the rotator cuff. As with other joints, shoulder problems can be produced by trauma such as sports injuries, mechanical dysfunction due to imbalances in the muscles, or by wear and tear of the tissues surrounding the joint. Arthritic changes do take place in the shoulder joint, though not as commonly as in the weight-bearing joints of the spine, hips and knees.

Anatomy

The nerves in the cervical spine region energize all of the muscles of the shoulder, elbow, arm and hand and can often pinpoint the source of the shoulder problem. If these nerves are aggravated, the shoulder muscles can become tight or weak producing dysfunction in the conventional mechanics of the joint, principally in the rotator cuff. A similar condition can occur if one overuses the shoulder in sports such as tennis and golf, or in other repetitive activities that cause the muscles of the joint to become overly tight or strained. Those who sit too long in a slouched position, or with their shoulders held forward, are also at risk for developing these imbalances and shoulder problems.

Rotator Cuff Syndrome

Regardless of the reason, if the imbalances and irritation to the shoulder are not rectified, pain and limitation of normal motion will eventually develop. The severity can vary from a slight “catching” or pain to an almost total inability to use the shoulder. Individuals of all ages are afflicted by this painful predicament known as Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Syndrome.

Frozen Shoulder

“Frozen shoulder” is another common condition.This often crippling condition happens when the ligaments and tendons of the glenohumeral joint get so inflamed that adhesions develop making the joint nearly stuck together. This results in extreme pain, as well as limitation of shoulder movement that makes it difficult for some individuals to even get dressed! Attention from a professional, such as your Honolulu chiropractor is crucial because if left unattended, frozen shoulder could take several years to heal if it heals at all. The ailments mentioned above are the most common of all shoulder disorders.

Treatment

Most shoulder treatments are generally the same. Muscle imbalances can be corrected with chiropractic treatment that includes soft tissue mobilization modalities to restore proper mobility to the shoulder joints and to correct any subluxations in the spine. Special rehabilitation exercises offered by your Honolulu chiropractor are also essential for a fulland speedy recovery.

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Low Back Pain

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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Arthritis is more often than not confusing to most patients.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 confine 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. Primarily, the condition is due to the wearing out of the cartilage that lines the joint surfaces, and it is found not only in humans, but also in all mammals. When joint cartilage is injured, the sensitive bone tissue that is normally guarded by the cartilage becomes stressed causing degenerative changes in the joint. 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 principally occur in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, hips, and fingers. Previous trauma, certain occupations and activities, weight, diet, and heredity all appear to influence both the onset and severity of DJD.

The symptoms of DJD invariably involve some degree of pain and/or stiffness in the body part involved. As the condition progresses there can be loss of mobility, particularly when weight-bearing joints such as hips or knees are affected.  As a last resort joints can be surgically replaced with synthetic devices. This should be done only in severe cases where the joint is sufficiently worn and movement is intolerable due to severe pain.

Prevention is invariably the best option, beginning at an early age.

• Making sure that all injuries to joints are properly treated will help to avoid future problems.
• Shoes with proper support and shock absorption should be worn by those whose jobs require extended periods of standing or walking.
• Excess body weight can create increased stress upon the weight bearing joints of the body.

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

• Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables as they include natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are vital for the health of the joints, as well as the rest of the body.

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

Chiropractic adjustments help to restore proper mobility and function to the spinal joints. Chiropractic care is not only sound, but extremely effective in relieving the debilitating pain of arthritis. Your Honolulu chiropractor is highly experienced when it comes to arthritic pain relief. Other forms of chiropractic care may include joint mobilization, massage, ultrasound, cold laser, or electro-therapy, all of which may be helpful in the relief of painful and stiff joints. Sometimes a brace is necessary 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

An high level of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints produce gouty arthritis. The most common joints are the big toes, the knees, ankles and wrists, and is often characterized by acute pain and swelling. Most people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are usually brought on by binge eating of agitative 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 properly metabolize uric acid, thus the proliferation in the bloodstream and the subsequent joint problems. The foods most associated 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 the avoidance of alcohol.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of systemic origin. The principal cause is not known, but it is thought to be associated with 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. Morning stiffness aggravated by movement is most often associated with the disease. Frequently people complain of general malaise and fatigue, and the disease in its more advanced forms can affect many of the other body systems. 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 associated with this disease. Additional modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy, and massage may also be valuable. Your Honolulu chiropractor is dedicated to supporting sufferers in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

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