- Back Pain
- Arthritis
- Neck Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Headaches/ Migraines
- Sports Injury
- Auto Injuries
- Knee Pain
- Sciatica
- Whiplash
- Strains and Sprains
- Therapeutic Massage
- Tigger Point Therapy
- Scoliosis
- Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common issues, affecting millions of people every year. It is usually caused by certain health conditions and disorders, including skeletal irregularities, muscle and ligament strains, arthritis, ruptured and herniated discs, and other issues. Dr. Montross and her team at Northport Chiropractic Centre can provide pain relief for your back without having to rely on pain medication or invasive procedures like surgery.
How Is Back Pain Treated?
- Therapeutic massage: This back pain treatment is focused on reducing muscle tension, inflammation, and improving blood flow. It is also an effective treatment for those who are recovering after a back injury.
- Rehabilitation exercises: These are back exercises focused on strengthening the muscles in the back. These exercises are taught at our office and can be done at home between visits to maximize the results of your chiropractic care.
- Spinal decompression therapy: The therapy can be either surgical or non-surgical. A non-surgical solution involves mechanical traction used for pain relief. Spinal decompression is a perfect treatment method for people who have ruptured discs, bone growths, and other back problems.
The Role of a Chiropractor
The spinal manipulations that are used by chiropractors are very effective in treating back pain. Many studies have proven that chiropractic care is especially effective for reducing low back pain and neck pain. Your first visit to a chiropractor will involve an evaluation, during which you will be asked to describe the symptoms you are experiencing. Our specialist may order additional tests, such as X-rays, to understand your condition better. After the problem is diagnosed, we will develop an individualized treatment plan designed to meet your health goals.
Arthritis
Arthritis, or joint pain or joint disease, is the leading cause of disability in America. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children are suffering from some type of arthritis. Common symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to perform normal day-to-day activities, and has the potential to cause permanent joint damage.
To determine whether or not you may be suffering from arthritis or to determine the severity, your medical professional will perform blood tests and conduct an imaging scan (ie: x-ray, CAT scan or MRI). Eating healthy, staying active, and understanding your type of arthritis and treatment options are crucial to decreasing your discomfort and paving the way for an enjoyable, happy life.
Neck Pain
The neck, also called the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and contains seven small vertebrae. The cervical spine supports the full weight of your head which is on average about 12 pounds. While the cervical spine can move your head in nearly every direction, this flexibility makes the neck very susceptible to pain and injury.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a very common condition and affects almost half of the U.S. Most patients feel some sort of pain, limited range of motion, an inability to engage in activities of daily living (ADL) or something more serious as a permanent disability.
Headaches/ Migraines
Nine out of ten Americans say that they suffer from headaches. Some of these people experience headaches frequently. Some experience constant headaches that are very painful. These can even make a person nauseous. Ninety-five percent of headaches are tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused from a disease, but from something in your body that is not sitting correctly.
Sports Injury
When participating in athletics, you always run the risk of being injured. The risk of injury is always there, so knowing what to do to treat an injury is crucial. Following a sports injury, you may visit your primary healthcare provider. They can help treat broken bones and severe tears.
But what happens if your doctor doesn’t spot any severe injuries but the pain lingers? In these instances, the problem is often stiff, or jammed joints, and irritated muscles, caught in a vicious cycle. Chiropractic care is the best option for treating this type of injury, and Northport Chiropractic Center has years of experience treating sports injuries without resorting to prescription medication or invasive surgery.
Common Sports Injuries
Not all sports injuries are breaks and tears. The most common sports injuries are not this extreme. Your body is resilient and can handle a good amount of impact. Strains, sprains, and joint restrictions are more common sports injuries. While an injury might not show up on an X-ray at the doctor’s office, it is still an injury that causes discomfort. If left untreated, an athletic injury can lead to more serious problems and pain throughout the entire body.
These kinds of injuries can occur while participating in any sport. While we think of contact sports like football, lacrosse, and hockey as the most common for these kinds of injuries, such injuries can just as easily occur when playing soccer, volleyball, and basketball. Regardless of your age or your sport of choice, you will want to have your athletic injury treated promptly.
Auto Injuries
Even a “minor” crash can result in serious injuries like ligament sprains. This can lead to chronic pain and disability if not treated properly. In fact, research shows that early treatment is the best way to prevent long-term symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments are effective because they help restore the healthy, normal function of your nervous system without the use of drugs or surgery.
Knee Pain
Knee pain is increasingly becoming a more common problem in society. It is a complaint we see frequently. The most common complaint associated with knee pain is considered the normal “wear and tear.” Another ailment that affects the knee is osteoarthritis. The symptoms and progression of osteoarthritis and knee pain can be reduced through our individualized approach to chiropractic care.
Sciatica
Sciatica is characterized by pain in the lower back that radiates down one or both legs. The pain is described as dull, achy, sharp, like “pins and needles” or similar to electric shocks. Other symptoms associated with sciatica include burning, numbness and tingling sensations. Sciatic nerve pain varies in intensity from mild to severe, and frequency may range from occasional to constant. The onset is generally gradual and not necessarily associated with a previous event. Sciatica is also known as radiating or referred pain, neuropathy, or neuralgia.
Whiplash
According to the American Chiropractic Association, one of the most common causes of neck pain is whiplash resulting from a car accident. A sudden forced movement of the head or neck in any direction and the resulting “rebound” in the opposite direction is known as whiplash. The sudden “whipping” motion injures the surrounding and supporting tissues of the neck and head. Muscles react by tightening and contracting, creating muscle fatigue, which can result in pain and stiffness. Severe whiplash can also be associated with injury to the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, muscles, and nerve roots.
Strains and Sprains
Sprains can either be a torn ligament or a stretched ligament. Strains are a muscle or tendon that is torn or stretched. While the affected area differs, the symptoms are similar. Sometimes pain due to a strain or sprain will linger. If left unaddressed, it can progress into a chronic pain condition. At Northport Chiropractic Centre, we have years of experience providing residents of Hannibal, MO with natural and effective chiropractic care. This often involves the identification and treatment of strains and sprains.
Causes & Symptoms
Sprains can be caused by getting hit, twisting, or even falling. The most common types of sprains are ankle and wrist sprains. Symptoms may include bruising, swelling, and pain. In some cases, you may not be able to move your joint. When the injury first occurs, you may feel a tear or pop.
Strains are caused by pulling or twisting. These can develop over time or happen suddenly. The most common types of strains are hamstring and back strains. It is very common for athletes to sustain strains from playing sports. Symptoms of strains include muscle spasms, swelling, difficulty moving the muscle, and pain. Untreated strains or sprains can get worse over time, further limiting your range of motion.
Treatment
Many people try at-home treatment before they realize they may need additional treatment. Resting the injured area is the first step of treating both strains and sprains. You may choose to ice it or cover the area with a bandage to compress it. Physical therapy and exercise may be needed down the line depending on the severity of your strain or sprain.
Chiropractic Care
Strains and sprains respond very well to chiropractic care. When you first visit our office, we will evaluate your injury and create a chiropractic care plan based on its location and severity. Some torn muscles and ligaments will require surgery. If this is the case, we will assist you in getting the care you need. If you are deemed a good fit for chiropractic care, we will provide you with the most effective possible combination of services.
Chiropractic care consists of manipulations to help speed up the healing process and strengthen the injured areas. Chiropractic care may also include rehab exercises and physical therapy. There are a variety of holistic therapies that may also help in stabilizing your strain or sprain, helping you regain mobility much more quickly than you would have otherwise.