Month: May 2019

Recently a patient, Tina, came to me for the lower back pain she was having. On her initial visit, while we were talking, she said that she also frequently had intermittent spells of light-headedness and dizziness when arising from lying down on her bed or a couch. She explained how she had been diagnosed as having vertigo and no treatment had helped and she was told she’d have to live with it. She asked me: “Can chiropractic care help with dizziness and vertigo?” I said we could check and see what could be done. Fortunately, we were able to help her substantially.

This article will describe how chiropractic care can help light-headedness, dizziness and vertigo. It will describe what can cause vertigo and how chiropractic treatment can be of assistance. It will also give details about a recent new research study validating conservative chiropractic care for dizziness.

Humans experience balance by way of the three sensory mechanisms. The first is visual. We all know that if we have our eyes open we have better balance than if they are close to. The second is a sensory organ in our ear called the vestibular system. People who get an ear infection many times have balance problems and feel woozy. The third sensory mechanism is found in the joints of the body. Sensory receptors in the joints of our body send the messages of balance to our brain. Our feet, hips and upper joints of our neck are particularly loaded with these important types of joint receptors.

A recent research study in the Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation, February 2019 published important documentation noting the relationship between problems in the upper neck and dizziness. They said that among a group of 236 patients with dizziness, researchers found that 59% also suffered from neck pain. Those with neck pain reported a lower quality of life and worse dizziness symptoms. The authors findings suggest that dizziness may be a symptom associated with what is known as “cervical dysfunction”.

Cervical dysfunction simply means that the bones, called vertebrae, and joints of the upper cervical spine are misaligned and/or not moving properly. This could happen from a trauma or prolonged poor posture such as one might have been a desk job or from repetitive movements like turning the head repeatedly.

Doctors of Chiropractic are trained to assess patients with both neck pain and dizziness. Chiropractors are skilled professionals who are able to feel the areas of the upper cervical spine to see if there is misalignment or improper motion, muscle spasm and inflammation. Chiropractors also can utilize x-rays to examine this area of the spine.

If there is a mechanical problem in this area chiropractors have safe, gentle, effective methods to give conservative treatment to help with dizziness, light-headedness and vertigo.

In my office we have successfully helped many patients, like Tina, who have been experiencing balance problems for over 34 years. Chiropractic care should be a drug-free, nonsurgical option in the healthcare field for those suffering from vertigo.

Memorial Day is the day that’s set aside to remember with gratitude all those who served and died for our country and our freedom from Dr James Schofield’s Pittsburgh North Hills chiropractic office.

The Webster Technique has been successfully helping expectant moms for over 50 years.

Dr James Schofield is a Pittsburgh North Hills chiropractor who is certified in using the Webster Technique.

There’s no question that a woman goes through tremendous changes during the nine months of pregnancy. This article will discuss how to make it easier to deal with the physical changes that occur during pregnancy by receiving chiropractic care, particularly during the second and third trimesters.

Obvious physical changes that are likely to affect the spine and pelvis will begin to occur during the second trimester. The uterus grows to accommodate the fetus and as it does so the lumbar curve of the spine will increase to account for the stomach protruding further. The pelvis may also start to shift position as the normally strong pelvic ligaments soften in preparation for eventual delivery. In order to counterbalance for the forward protruding abdomen, many women compensate and end up with poor posture as they stand or walk. This places additional pressure on the lower back, pelvis and sacroiliac joints. Sometimes mechanical stress of bones being out of alignment a lead to sciatica, a painful condition causing nerve pain down the leg.

Chiropractic adjustments given to the pregnant woman can realign the lumbar spine and the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis to relieve lower back pain. Adjustments to these joints can also relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve improve nerve pain of the leg.

Many expectant mothers gain a great sense of relief, emotionally, when they are free of pain. This helps the woman to feel more relaxed and have less nervousness during the growth and development of the baby and to have more comfort about the upcoming delivery itself.

When helping pregnant women chiropractors utilize safe, gentle methods to treat the expectant mother. One method of chiropractic care has been successful for treating women during pregnancy is called the Webster Technique. The Webster Technique was developed by a chiropractor named Dr. Larry Webster. He found that by using a chiropractic method he developed many women experience that much more comfortable pregnancy and easier and faster deliveries.

The method he developed is now taught in the chiropractic profession and many chiropractors have taken the training to learn The Webster Technique and are certified practitioners. To find a chiropractor who is certified in the Webster Technique one can check through the online search engines or simply call chiropractors office to learn more.

Any pregnant women who is experiencing mechanical lower back pain during her pregnancy or would like to be proactive in having as healthy pregnancy as possible would be well advised to seek chiropractic care for assistance.

Chiropractors that treat pregnant women. Pittsburgh North Hills chiropractors who treat women during pregnancy.

 

Happy Armed Forces Day from James J Schofield D.C.’s Pittsburgh North Hills Chiropractic Office!

The chiropractic profession has been providing patients a non-surgical, drug-free, safe and effective solution to painful conditions like back pain, neck pain and migraine headaches for over 125 years. The purpose of this article is to give information about a recent research study that validates utilizing chiropractic treatment for various spinal conditions.

A scientific research study published in the American Family Physicians Journal, February 2019 determined that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) can provide improvement for patients with acute or chronic lower back pain. For patients with neck pain the research showed SMT provided better relief and improved function when compared with medications like over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. The authors of the article also added that manipulative therapy was found to be as effective as the prescription medication amitrptyline for managing patients with migraine headaches.

Doctors of chiropractic utilize a form of SMT called “chiropractic adjustments”.  Chiropractic adjustments are designed to correct misalignments and improper movements of the spine. These adjustments are provided by chiropractors who are highly skilled at performing this therapy.

For some conditions a chiropractor may perform a manual method called “mobilization”. Mobilization is a low force gentle technique that also helps with spinal conditions. Some patients are not suited for a manipulation or chiropractic adjustment and mobilization may be just what these patients need.

Many people wonder how chiropractors determine when there is a problem with a certain area of the spine. Chiropractic education focuses on this specialty. Chiropractors learn how to “feel” if there is an abnormality of the spinal area. This practice is called “palpation”. As a student at a chiropractic school  many hours are devoted to developing this skill. Students learn to feel when muscles are abnormally contracted, tight or in spasm. They learn to feel if there is swelling, inflammation or edema. They are able to train to feel if the spinal bones, called vertebrae, are misaligned or if the spinal joints are moving improperly.

Chiropractic school also places an emphasis on learning the anatomy, or parts of the body. Chiropractors get extensive classroom work learning about the human body’s muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons and fascia. Students also spend many hours in a laboratory doing actual dissection of human cadavers.

With this training many feel that doctors of chiropractic are the preeminent healthcare specialists in the areas of palpation and using manual therapies of chiropractic adjustments, manipulation and mobilization.

As the research shows it is best to see a chiropractor for problems of the spine such as back pain, neck pain and headaches.

What chiropractor treats headaches in Pittsburgh North Hills? What chiropractor near me helps sciatica?

Mother knows best! Happy Mothers Day from Dr James Schofield’s chiropractic office, North Hills Pittsburgh.

Recently, a new patient who had been experiencing chronic pain in her left buttock area, asked me this question on her initial visit: “What is the sacroiliac joint and is it causing my pain?” She had been told by one of her coworkers her sacroiliac joint (SI joint) might be a problem and to see a chiropractor. After examining her we found her SI joint was the source of her pain and I told her to thank her coworker for correctly diagnosing the problem. Fortunately, I was able to provide treatment to correct my patients problem and within a short time she was pain free.

The purpose of this article is to explain what the sacroiliac joint is, why it can cause pain and how to correct problems that arise.

Let’s begin with some simple anatomy. We all know that there is an area of our body called the pelvis. The pelvis isn’t just one big solid bone but is actually made up of three separate bones. The larger bones on each side are called the iliac bones. The central bone is called the sacrum. Where the iliac bones and the sacrum meet is called the sacroiliac joint. It can also be considered a pelvic joint.

These pelvic joints glide back and forth when we walk. They also qlide slightly when we twist and turn. Their purpose is to allow our lower body to move somewhat but not too much.

At times the sacroiliac joints can become a problem if they get misaligned or move improperly. This could happen from repetitive overuse such as swinging a golf club at a driving range or shoveling a thought of mulch when gardening. It could also happen with a sudden traumatic accident such as fall or an auto collision.

When we have pain from our SI joint it is usually around the hip pocket area, and may also cause discomfort in the lower ribs, buttock, hip and groin.

The solution is to correct the mechanical misalignment and improper movement of the sacroiliac joint. As a chiropractor I examine the patient to determine if the pelvis is level or if it is higher or lower on one side and if the pelvis is twisted. I also check to see if there is tenderness over the SI joint. I also feel for misalignment and improper motion of the joint.

If I find a problem does exist with this joint then it can be corrected by chiropractic adjustments which realign and restore proper movement to the the sacroiliac joint.

Chiropractors have been able to provide a drug-free, nonsurgical, safe and effective treatment to help patients with sacroiliac joints for more than 100 years.

What is causing my back pain? Who is the best Pittsburgh North Hills Chiropractor?

 

On May 4, 2019 Doctor James Schofield attended a chiropractic educational conference in Tampa, Florida. Chiropractors from many areas of the country participated. Doctor Schofield is a Pittsburgh North Hills chiropractor.

One of the classes involved use of rehabilitation exercises to improve patient’s health. Chiropractors treat problems associated with the spine including lower back pain, neck pain, headaches, sciatica, and spinal disc problems. Chiropractors utilize adjustments, sometimes called manipulation, to realign misplaced or improperly moving spinal bones called vertebrae.

Rehabilitation exercises increase flexibility and strength of areas of the spine, back and extremities to aid the chiropractic adjustment. Rehabilitation has been shown to speed healing and create stability to prevent the condition from returning.

Rehabilitation exercises must be custom tailored for each patient. All patients regardless of age can perform some type of rehabilitation.

Dr Schofield also attended a chiropractic treatment workshop called Myofascial Disruption Technique (MFDT). MFDT is a method of diagnosing and treating soft tissue injuries of muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia that are causing pain. These soft tissues may be contributing to headache, neck and back pain and can also affect the extremity areas such as the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle. MFDT allows Dr Schofield to help these injured areas to heal more quickly.

Dr. Schofield maintains licenses to practice chiropractic in Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey.

Find the best chiropractor near me. What Pittsburgh chiropractor treats sciatica?