Month: March 2019

 

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can be helped with chiropractic care. In my three decades of chiropractic practice I have seen many patients respond well to chiropractic therapy.

The carpal tunnel is an area of the wrist. It is where the long bones of the forearm and a long bones of the palm of the hand meet. At this location there eight small bones the size of pebbles which are called the carpal bones. These bones form an arch. The underside of the arch is considered to be a tunnel. One of the nerves which goes into the hand, called the median nerve, passes through the tunnel.

When the small carpal bones get misaligned and impinge on the median nerve causing symptoms it is called carpal tunnel syndrome.

Various symptoms can occur with carpal tunnel syndrome. One might feel discomfort at the wrist. Tingling or numbness into the thumb, forefinger and middle finger may also be felt. Some people experience weakness of grip while holding things with the hand.

Often there is an association between this condition and the neck. Nerves travel through the neck area to exit the spine and then travel into the wrist and hand. A pinched nerve in the neck can have symptoms that mimic those of carpal tunnel syndrome. When patients complaining of this condition visit a chiropractor, an examination of both the neck and wrist is performed. If the doctor of chiropractic finds abnormalities he can administer safe, drug-free, and nonsurgical treatments to the appropriate areas.

A recent research study in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, November 2018 revealed that patients who underwent conservative care, such as chiropractic care, or had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome had similar outcomes after one year. However, the group receiving conservative care required less time off from work and the treatment costs were about $3000 lower than those who underwent a surgical procedure. This suggests that a person suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome exhaust conservative treatments before electing for surgery. Be sure to see a chiropractor for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

What chiropractor treats carpal tunnel syndrome? See this video about how a chiropractor can help carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

Let me wish you HAPPY SPRING!

I’m especially excited that this is a great time of year to put into action ambitious resolutions I made at New Years.

I like to make New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of the year, but I find it difficult to implement them when it’s cold, icy and the days are so short. So, I don’t chastise myself too much if I don’t get the ball rolling in early January.

Now that spring is here, with our longer hours of daylight and more sunshine, warming weather, and birds singing, I have more motivation to start my resolutions-especially health resolutions.

If you are looking to improve some aspect of your health, now is a great time to begin. Everything is starting to enliven. Plants and trees are awakening. Animals that have been hibernating all winter are beginning to stir.

We humans are also, biologically, primed for good health. I feel spring is the best time of all to begin or step up our exercise. Of course, those of you who know me well will affirm that I believe walking to be the best of all exercises and should be part of any routine. It is also a great time to feed ourselves healthy meals that are loaded with nutrients to give us abundant energy and help us release unwanted pounds.

Likewise, this is a perfect time to address physical health disturbances that our bodies have acquired. Misalignments of our spine don’t allow our bodies to function properly. Chiropractic care helps restore balance and allows our bodies to heal and function well – naturally, without drugs or invasive surgery.

So often we allow minor aches to accumulate. One ache comes along and then another. Soon almost all we can think about is pain. Our discomfort affects our sleep, ability to work at our jobs and at home, and even affects our disposition with our family and friends. If this is your situation, now is a perfect time to put an end to the pain.

If you are in pain or just need a “tune-up,” please give my office a call for an appointment: 412- 367- 3313. We are always ready to help you on your path to good health.

Warm regards,

James J Schofield D.C.

Who is the best chiropractor near me? Which chiropractor takes UPMC insurance?

Happy first day of SPRING from James J Schofield DC North Hills Pittsburgh Chiropractor!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today and throughout the year – from Dr James Schofield’s Pittsburgh North Hills chiropractic office.

 

Chiropractors are able to treat cervical spine conditions and associated temporomandibular disorders.

Over my 35 years of chiropractic practice I have had many patients suffering from both neck pain and jaw pain. As I treated their neck pain we commonly noted that the patient’s jaw pain also resolved.

The temporomandibular joint is commonly known as the joint of the jaw. It is made up of two bones. The upper bone is called the temporal bone and is found just behind the cheekbone. The Lower bone of the joint is called the mandible and is commonly called the jaw bone. Together they make up the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

When there is a problem with the TMJ it is called temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

A recent research paper revealed people with neck pain had a higher incidence of TMD than people without neck pain. The study published in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, December 2018 found that 120 patients with a temporomandibular disorder and having neck pain exhibited poor neck and upper body posture, and concomitantly, had more problems with their TMJ.

Most people know that chiropractors are able to help patients suffering from neck pain. When there are misalignments and improper movement of the bones of the neck a chiropractor is able to restore proper alignment and movement and help with neck pain. This puts the entire upper body into a better posture. In turn, this alleviates abnormal stress on the TMJ which allows it to heal and improve TMD.

We commonly see that people who are experiencing pain in their TMJ get relief from chiropractic spinal care.  Before undergoing jaw surgery or expensive dental work for jaw pain seek a consultation for possible chiropractic therapy.

To learn more about chiropractic care for neck and jaw pain see this video. See reviews for James Schofield DC.

Many people who work long hours have musculoskeletal pain that can be helped with chiropractic care.

Over my 35 years in chiropractic practice I have noted that people work hard! Whether it be a physical construction or factory job, working in healthcare as a nurse, hygienist, technician or health aide or sitting long hours at a desk, these activities can have a harmful effect on the body.

Just today, I happen to be speaking to a 74-year-old retired plumber who was not my patient.  He told me he had already had back surgery, open-heart surgery, diabetes causing neuropathy of his feet and had a severely arthritic knee. He said he had worked from age 16 until the age of 60 when he retired. I asked him if he had ever gone to a chiropractor and he said he had not. It made me speculate how much better his health would’ve been had he been under chiropractic care from the time he started his vocation.

I have many patients who have worked for decades at extremely physical jobs and patients who also work for decades at sedentary jobs who have very few health problems. There are several key factors that they note have helped them maintain good health when others in their professions have declining health. These factors include getting adequate sleep, eating food to fuel their body, not feed their emotions, and getting regular chiropractic care. Many of these patients have come to me at least monthly for decades. They are not coming to me for pain or symptoms, they are coming to keep their spine in good alignment and moving properly. This helps keep their backs strong and be less susceptible to stress and injury.

Chiropractic care is certainly great at relieving neck and back pain. However, many people choose to utilize chiropractic care beyond the initial pain relief phase and go on to periodic maintenance care to sustain their good health. This is a lot like going to a dentist regularly to keep one’s teeth healthy or going for a yearly blood test to catch possible health problems in the early stages. It is wise for those who work long hours to have chiropractic care to minimize musculoskeletal pain that occurs over a lifetime of work.

Visit Dr James Schofield’s website to learn more about chiropractic care for pain.