Chiropractic

What is Chiropractic and what is a Subluxation?

Chiropractic involves the restoration and preservation of health using the body's natural ability to heal and focuses particular attention on the subluxation (a specific term used by chiropractors that differs from the medical definition). A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity in the spine or pelvis and may influence organ system function and a person's general health. A subluxation (or intersegmental dysfunction) is evaluated, diagnosed, and managed through the use of chiropractic procedures based on the best available rational and empirical evidence from research studies, practice guidelines. (1)

One of the main reasons that patients visit a chiropractor is failure of conventional therapy to cure a problem or desire to avoid side effects of conventional drug therapy.(2)

Headaches

Headaches are a common occurence in modern life. How common are they? A study by Pryse-Phillips et al. found that 59% of households in Canada have at least one headache sufferer in the household.(3) Of these, 14% were migraineurs and 36% complained of tension-type headaches. They also discovered that 20% of migraineurs took time off work with symptoms that lasted one or more days. How can chiropractic help headache sufferers? A study by Boline et al. reported the results from a randomized clinical control trial which revealed chiropractic spinal manipulation was just as effective as amitriptyline for the treatment of chronic tension-type headaches.(4) Those headache patients assigned to chiropractic manipulation experienced 32% reduction in headache intensity, 42% in headache frequency, and 30% reduction in over-the-counter medication usage. More recently the Evidence Report on Behavioral and Physical Treatments for Tension-type and Cervicogenic Headache released from Duke University and the Foundation of Chiropractic Education and Research (yet to be published), finds that cervical manipulation is indicated as treatment of migraine.

Neck Stiffness

Neck pain and stiffness have been encountered by a high percentage of today's population at one point or another in everybody's lives, especially if one works in the service industry.(5,6) Often times the pain or stiffness is not severe enough to warrant invasive procedures such as discography or surgery. Chiropractic treatment combined with Active Release Therapy® has demonstrated to be a highly effective modality in combating day-to-day stiffness and exercise related complaints. When therapy is properly instituted and a complete assessment is made Chiropractic is safe and symptoms are reduced.(7)

Elbow Complaints

Most cases of tennis elbow are in fact caused by occupational stresses, rather than sports such as tennis or racquet ball.(8) It has been documented that prompt conservative care can minimize acute symptoms and prevent recurrence. Often times conservative management is the most effective and results in fewer side effects as more invasive procedures.(9) If you suffer from any lateral epicondylitis symptoms you should speak with our doctor of chiropractic to investigate prompt treatment for you.

Shoulder Injuries

Although not many people are familiar with chiropractors treating shoulder complaints they do treat a number of complaints arising from shoulders. Success has been seen in cases with post surgical instability in professional athletes and frozen shoulder in a female patient.(10,11) Shoulder impingement syndrome has also been successfully treated and rehabilitated with chiropractic techniques.(12) With a careful work-up and an understanding of your needs, your doctor of chiropractic can institute a therapy that can bring you results.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is part of a group of conditions that have an increased incidence consistent with repetitive stress situations and are known collectively as cumulative trauma disorder (CTD). In a study designed to compare the chiropractic treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to conservative medical treatment of CTS, Davis et al. found that chiropractic treatment was just as effective as medical ibuprofen and a wrist support.(13) This is important for people who want to avoid chronic usage of NSAIDs to combat a common complaint among the Canadian workforce.(14) Often times the pain or stiffness is not severe enough to warrant demanding invasive procedures such as endoscopic tunnel release or open surgery.(15,16) Your doctor of chiropractic will help to answer your questions about this frequently encountered workplace complaint.(17)

Low Back Pain

Based on several scientific studies conducted by Chiropractic and Medical Research Institutions in America, chiropractic care should the firstline treatment option for non-complicated low back pain.(18) It is more cost effective than drug therapy that only has effects on short term pain, with symptoms returning usually within a month.(19) The van Tulder study also notes that NSAIDS (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), are not any more effective than spinal manipulation, produce more side effects and are no more effective when combined with muscle relaxants. What can chiropractors do for back pain? Chiropractors can do a number of adjustive procedures (spinal manipulations which are also known as adjustments), that help to relieve muscle tension and provide increased range of motion in spinal joints.(20) Chiropractors can also recommend targeted spinal stabilization exercises that have been clinically shown to be effective preventative interventions.(21) Active Release Techniques applied to the spinal musculature has been effective in treating the associated tightness.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joint (SI joint), is synovial/fibrocartilage two joint complex between the pelvic bones and the sacrum. It is the source of pain for many women during or after pregnancy, which may spontaneously resolve within months (but why suffer that long?). For a small percentage of post-partum women, this dysfunction can last years after the delivery.(22) Furthermore, the natural course of this problem is yet unresolved.(23) It has been documented that conservative care in the form of physical therapy can provide relief for a high percentage of patients.(24) Often times conservative management coupled with specific exercises can help men and women balance musculature that may contribute to the SI joint dysfunction.(25) If you suffer from SI joint dysfunction symptoms you should speak with our doctor of chiropractic to obtain a proper joint movement evaluation and diagnosis to institute treatment for you.

Patellar Tracking syndrome

This syndrome effects thousands of athletes in North America each year. Non-operative treatments including patient education, activity modification, shoe modifications, braces, and taping.(26) Studies have shown that common practices such as taping have not yielded much clinic benefit and should not be used.(27) Patient's therapy is based on biomechanical analysis and chiropractic.(28) If you continue to suffer from knee pain that is not responding please book an appointment with us to discover the benefits you deserve with conservative care and chiropractic.

Knee Pain

Continuing research by clinical orthopedic specialists has concluded that conservative managment of osteoarthritis will be more effective for patients and should make use of common nonoperative treatments including patient education, activity modification, shoe modifications, braces, and oral dietary supplements.(29) Our chiropractic clinic offers practically all of these services to our patients right now. What's more, research suggests a strong benefit of using glucosamine sulphate for knee osteoarthritis as it is safer for your body than ibuprofen, causes fewer side effects and pain relief lasts longer after terminating therapy.(30) More recent work in Italy finds that glucosamine may actually clinically slow the progress of osteoarthritis. It is also well known that increased weight augments knee pain. Body mass index (BMI), measurement is used to determine if your weight may play a part in the pain. Click here to calculate your BMI. If you find that your knee pain is not being managed effectively please book an appointment with us to discover the benefits you deserve with conservative care and chiropractic.

Ankle Sprains

Chiropractic care is not limited to the spine. Many recent graduates from Chiropractic Colleges are receiving orthopedic training aimed at managing acute joint injuries. One of the most commonly sprained joints in the body is the ankle.(31) In addition to the regular P.R.I.C.E.S. (protect, rest, ice, elevatie, stretch), approach Active Release Techniques are effective in minimizing adhesions that form as the ankle scars and heals. Full proprioceptive training, strengthening and physical therapy is imparative to improve the ability of the ankle joint.(32) Evidence shows that simple bracing for those with chronic instability may not be effective. Passive support characteristics are not an indication of joint protection.(33) If you have questions about your current rehabilitation, don't hesitate to contact our doctors of chiropractic.

Wellness Care

Chiropractic health care is well positioned to provide healthy patients and recent sufferers of pain with tips on lifestyle and nutrition. It is the only health care modality that is used to treat acute pain as well as maintaining optimum nervous system wellness, in the absence of pain. Many activities of daily living can be made more efficient and less likely to provoke pain in chronic repetitive situations. Active Release Techniques are excellent for improving athletic performance of occasional as well as professional athletes. What's more, it reduces the amount of adhesions between muscles used for repetitive actions, that may lead to entrapment syndromes in the future. Evaluation of diet and meal choices may reveal certain pro-inflammatory foods that predispose people to chronic pain symptoms. Incorporation of certain fatty acids may improve chronic sympotomatology.(34)