Month: May 2021

MEMORIAL DAY–THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SACRIFICED from the Pittsburgh North Hills chiropractic back pain relief office of Dr James Schofield.

Neck pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek chiropractic care. The causes of neck discomfort can vary. In some, the cause may be unknown, or it can be due to an accumulation of years of bad ergonomics and poor posture. In others, it may be due to trauma such as a whiplash event from a rear end automobile collision. This article will discuss neck pain and offer a natural, safe, gentle option for neck pain relief.

There are three areas of the human spine. The neck area, called the cervical spine; the mid back, called the thoracic spine and the lower back called the lumbar spine. Of the three the cervical spine exhibits the most movement. As a result, it is commonly an area that can become painful.

Some of the reasons the neck area can give discomfort are misalignment of the bones, pinched nerves, degenerative discs, disc herniation’s and whiplash.

A misalignment of the cervical spinal bones will irritate the joints of that part of the spine. Those joints are called the facet joints. The facet joints can have improper alignment or may become fixated and locked up.

A pinched nerve may occur in the neck area. When this happens, it is due to a misalignment of the cervical spinal bones, which are called vertebrae. If the vertebrae are improperly aligned there can be an impingement of the nerve exiting the cervical spine. This can result in a very painful condition known as a “pinched nerve.”

Degenerative discs are usually a condition in the neck, that occurs over a longer period of time. The disks of the cervical spine are a form of cartilaginous material that are sandwiched between the cervical vertebrae above and below. The disks can wear down and create a “bone on bone” situation. This is a form of wear and tear arthritis.

A disc herniation of the cervical spine is when the rear portion of the cervical intervertebral disc bulges or protrudes and compresses the spinal cord, the spinal nerves or both.

A whiplash injury occurs when there is a rear end automobile collision. The passengers head and neck “whip” forward and then backwards. This causes tearing of supporting muscles and tendons (called a strain) and ligaments (called a sprain). This type of injury can lead to any of the above-mentioned conditions.

Since all of these conditions causing neck pain are of a mechanical origin a reasonable path of treatment is through chiropractic care. Chiropractors are healthcare practitioners that are trained to evaluate, diagnose and treat physical, mechanical problems resulting in neck pain.

There are a number of methods chiropractors utilize to bring patients neck pain relief.

Manipulation, sometimes called the chiropractic adjustment, is a safe way to bring about realignment of abnormally positioned cervical vertebrae. It is very safe and typically brings a good deal of neck pain relief to the patient. Another treatment approach is to use mobilization. Mobilization is a slow gentle stretching of areas that is also designed to induce proper cervical vertebrae alignment. Of course, chiropractors use other modalities to bring about healing such as electrical muscle stimulation, the use of cold packs and firm contact to tight muscles called trigger point therapy. At times, a doctor of chiropractic will co-treat the patient with another practitioner, such as when pharmacologic therapy should be rendered.

Most patients who undergo chiropractic care appreciate this natural, holistic form of health care to gain neck pain relief.

Please visit here for a same day UPMC chiropractor near me. See your neighborhood chiropractor for neck and back pain relief

There is a plethora of healthcare practitioners lower back pain sufferers can initially visit. A chiropractor is an excellent first choice for those experiencing back problems. This article will discuss lower back pain, treatment options and sequela and offer a natural, safe, effective treatment for the management of mechanical spinal pain.

Current research notes that 52% of all opioid prescriptions are for patients having back disorders and 2 million in the United States are afflicted with opioid use disorder. A 2020 research examination showed 22% of patients who saw a PCP were given an opioid prescription for lower back complaints where those who initially consulted with a chiropractor or physical therapist were 90% less likely to require opioids.

Failed surgery for a low back problem is a real possibility and occurs much too often. A study in 2013 in Washington State found that 43% of workers with a back injury who initially consulted a surgeon ended up having surgery with just 1.5% of those who first received chiropractic treatment eventually had a surgical procedure for their pain.

A 2015 study showed that patients having spine complaints who initially sought care from a chiropractor where more satisfied than those who visited a primary care physician.

Chiropractors are the preeminent healthcare providers, when it comes to relieving pain of the lower spine. Chiropractors are the only professionals trained to diagnose and treat physical, mechanical alignment problems of spine pain. Most patients who go to chiropractors find that having a chiropractic adjustment is a safe, pleasant experience because it relieves tightness and spasm of the muscles by correcting the deeper spinal misalignment. The number of treatments and visits a patient will require to attain relief of their back spinal pain will depend on how long they’ve had the condition and its severity.

It may come as a surprise to many that chiropractic care is very affordable. Most chiropractors are able to work with patients on a cash basis for their visits. Chiropractic offices are happy to explain their fees in advance and let the patients decide if they would like to go ahead with treatment. Of course, there are a number of reputable insurance companies that pay for chiropractic care. Additionally, Health Savings Accounts (HSA) can be utilized for reimbursement.

It’s become clear that natural, safe, gentle chiropractic care is strongly recommended for patients with lower back pain and not only can this lead to less harmful pharmacologic and surgical recommendations, but patients will have a greater likelihood for satisfactory treatment outcomes.

Please visit here for a same day UPMC chiropractor near me. Find a McKnight Road chiropractor near me.

ARMED FORCES DAY–THANK YOU TO ALL THAT SERVE from the Pittsburgh North Hills chiropractic back pain relief office of Dr James Schofield.

Those who experience frequent migraine headaches may be considered to suffer from one of the most painful maladies known to mankind. Because people must carry on with their lives despite being in significant pain, others may not be aware of the suffering that is occurring. Approximately 36 million Americans contend with migraine headaches. Pharmacologic therapies tend to be ineffective and may have harmful side effects. Migraine headaches are the second most frequent type of headache, with tension headaches being the most common. Females have a higher prevalence than males with a 3:1 ratio. This article will provide information regarding migraine headaches and potential natural, safe treatment solutions.

The total sum of suffering from migraine headaches is higher than almost any other health condition. Migraines are often incapacitating and have considerable impact on social activities and work.

There are no specific tests to diagnose migraine headaches. There is not a blood test, MRI or x-ray nor electrophysiologic test that can reliably be used to determine a migraine condition. Therefore, a diagnosis can only be made clinically. A clinical diagnosis means a doctor has to rely on the patient’s reported symptoms to characterize a particular illness or condition.

A constellation of clinical symptoms is associated with the diagnosis of migraine. Several of these are:

• a headache lasting 4 to 72 hours
• a headache must be associated with nausea and/ or vomiting, or photophobia, and/or phonophobia
• the headache must 2 of the 4 following symptoms: it must be located on one side of the head only, it is throbbing and pulsatile, the pain must be significant, and it is intensified by physical activity.

Fortunately, there is a nonpharmacologic, safe, natural treatment for those suffering from migraine headaches. For more than 125 years the chiropractic profession has had outstanding success in the treatment of migraines.

A common finding in those who have headache conditions is misalignment and/or improper movement of the spinal bones of the upper neck. This area is called the upper cervical spine. When bones of the upper cervical spine, called vertebrae, are improperly aligned or exhibit abnormal or restricted movement, irritation occurs to the nerves and joints of that area. When there is nerve and joint irritation of the upper cervical spine there can be a direct correlation to headaches.

Chiropractors are the preeminent healthcare providers, when it comes to correcting mechanical abnormalities of the upper cervical spine. Chiropractors are the only professionals trained to diagnose and treat these physical problems and conditions through chiropractic adjustments, which also is called spinal manipulation. Most patients who go to chiropractors find that having a chiropractic adjustment is a safe, pleasant experience because it relieves tightness and spasm of the muscles by correcting the deeper spinal misalignment.

The benefits of chiropractic care for migraine headaches are not only that it is effective and safe, but it reduces the chances of harmful effects of pharmacological treatment.

Please visit here for a same day UPMC chiropractor near me. Find a Pittsburgh North Hills chiropractor near me.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY from the Pittsburgh North Hills chiropractic back pain relief office of Dr James Schofield.