Back and Neck Pain Treatment
My chiropractic office, similar to many other practices all over the US, offers relief from back pain or neck pain. Often viewed as treatment for neck and back pain alone, chiropractic care helps a variety of conditions.
Never self-diagnosis back pain or neck pain; instead you should always seek professional advice and treatment. Ignoring back and neck pain could create other health problems that are more serious.
Some of the various conditions that cause back pain and neck pain can include everything from injury and infection to twisting or turning "the wrong way". Injuries from accidents, such as a car accident, often result in stress and strain on the vertebra, the connecting ligature, the joints, and the muscles.
The most common cause of back pain that manifests as tightening or spasm of the muscles connected to the spine is overuse or under use of the back muscles. Joints and ligaments become increasingly inflamed and swollen with advancing age.
A herniated disc happens if nuclear pulposus, the substance inside the disc, comes out of a torn annulus fibrosis, the substance outside of the disc, compressing the nerve root. The most likely area to have a back/neck injury would be in the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine which have the most mobility, and the discs are more likely to wear down or become injured. The bottom two spinal vertebrae experience ninety percent of all herniated disc injuries.
One cause for aggravation and damage to the spinal cord is a condition known as spinal stenosis. There are many conditions that can cause spinal stenosis including infections, tumors, trauma, herniated disc, arthritis, ligament thickening, the growth of bone spurs, and general disc degeneration. As the vertebrae deteriorate with age, we are more likely to develop stenosis of the spine.
When something rubs or presses against a nerve creating irritation or inflammation, a pinched nerve, also known as radiculopathy, occurs. The causes of radiculopathy vary. A herniated disc, bone growth, a tumor compressing nerves, and vertebral fracture are all common causes of this condition.
Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is known as Sciatica, a certain type of radiculopathy. When the sciatic nerve is inflamed, pain shoots down the lower back through one side of the buttocks and continues down the back side of the leg.
Compressing the spine or nerve roots can cause significant pain and can be an indicator or symptom of a spinal tumor that originates in the spine (primary tumor) or tumor spreading to the spine from another part of the body (metastatic tumor).
Vertebrae infections (osteomyelitis), discs, meninges (spinal meningitis), or cerebrospinal fluid can press against the spinal cord and cause bad neurological damage if it isn't identified and treated right away.
Facet joints are formed by two adjacent vertebra and direct the movement of the spine; these joints are often areas that are affected by arthritis. The alignment of the spine is compromised when fluid and cartilage, which functions as a shock absorber, deteriorates and bones begin to shift out of place. Bone rubbing against bone can be very painful.
Back pain and neck pain can be caused by many things and not just these few examples. Chiropractors often relieve uncomfortable back pain and neck pain, because the associated causes are usually mechanical in nature. In conclusion, neck pain and back pain are warning signals from your body that should not be ignored.
How is back pain and neck pain affected by your posture?
Have you ever wondered how you can develop back pain or neck pain without doing anything strenuous? A chiropractor can diagnose neck pain, postural stress, back pain and suggest ergonomic solutions. With closer examination of the structure of our bodies and some simple physics principles, it is a wonder that humans do not suffer from more frequent and intense back and neck pain. In my California chiropractic business, I treat clients frequently who work in an office and could benefit from better ergonomics.
Anyone at any time can have back or neck pain. Lifting, operating machinery, sports, auto accidents, and falls are some of the most common injuries I see in my office. These kind of injuries are typical or expected injuries. The majority of patients think that chiropractic issues stem from lifting heavy sacks of concrete but are surprised to find that most are due to postural stress.
The "silent killer" of our spinal health is postural stress. Postural stress is experienced either while sitting or standing on one's feet. Any time your spine is not in its natural curves or moves forward beyond its neutral balance point, you can risk postural stress.
One of the various postural stressful positions is sitting at the computer leaning forward with your neck and head while typing or mousing or viewing the screen. This posture, in which your head and neck are extended in front of your body, reverses the normal curvature of your spine and neck, and shifts your head away from its balance point.
The stability that is part of our structure when our postural boundaries are respected is lost when we assume postures that cause stress to our spines. Back and neck pain is often a result of poor posture, which also causes fatigue, irritability, and inflammation of muscles and connecting ligatures due to extended pressure.
To treat neck and back pain caused by postural stress, one must undertake a multifaceted plan. Using this method of chiropractic care in conjunction with stretching and nutritional support relieves pain and stiffness and restores normal, full joint movement. Depending on the length of time that you have been in pain or the severity of your symptoms, this part of your recovery may take several treatments or a lengthy treatment program.
Chiropractic care alone will not alleviate the problem; you must eliminate or change the causes of the postural stress. Ergonomic problems that lead to postural stress can be identified using workstation analysis. Applying ice packs for neck pain and back pain for around twenty minutes at a time is also sometimes effective for relief.
Start treatment by talking to your chiropractor. Chiropractors are medically trained to deal with postural stress problems and the neck pain that occurs as a result. Our San Diego based chiropractic clinic employs a complete approach to rehabilitation using chiropractic care supported by stretches and exercises. In order to facilitate the healing process we encourage the proper nutritional support. It is just as important to understand and correct the cause of poor posture, which causes pain, as it is to seek treatment to relieve the pain.
Using Chiropractic and Exercise to Build a Healthy Spine
I provide treatment for many different kinds of injuries. There are many different causes for neck pain, back pain, chronic headaches, sciatica etc. and can include auto accidents, work related injuries, injuries as a result of domestic chores, and even sometimes something as easy to do as sleeping in an awkward position.
Over half of the people who come to me with neck pain or back pain want to know how they can prevent it from coming back; it is this question that I will attempt to answer in this article.
For starters, two big reasons are back pain and neck pain.
Often, people take action with regard to their health when they experience frequent pain. Eager to start, people frequently ask what kind of stretching or exercise they can implement right away. The best practice you can employ with a new injury is to apply ice packs and rest as much as possible.
During my more than 15 years in practice, I have noticed many enthusiastic people disregard this suggestion and as a consequence, their condition worsens. You want to start exercising and stretching your back when you are out of the acute stage of pain and not before.
The most challenging obstacles clients have to overcome are poor diet and lack of exercise. Outside of chiropractic care, exercise is one of the very few things that a patient can do at home to prevent or help diminish the chances of developing back pain or neck pain.
Exercise after an injury should be approached with caution - almost to a point where the exercise feels as if it is doing nothing. You should first attempt some low intensity workouts, and if you don't experience pain, increase the resistance a little at a time.
Understand your limits when reintroducing exercise after a back injury, and proceed cautiously. When exercising and stretching, make sure it's under the guidance of a health care professional. You can improve the support in your spine by strengthening muscle tone and adding flexibility.
Many patients of my chiropractic office have seen relief from back and neck pain from stretching and targeted exercises. Combining chiropractic care with stretching and exercising promotes faster, more complete healing.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Which is worse – neck pain or back pain?
Chiropractic Care and Back Pain
Which is worse – neck pain or back pain?
I hear this question often in my San Diego chiropractic office. Of course the answer is easy – if you have back pain, back pain is definitely worse than neck pain. If you have neck pain, neck pain is definitely worse than back pain.
Another common question that I hear regarding low back pain is why sitting makes it hurt more than standing.
This is a good question, which can be answered through physics. I remember seeing a diagram in one of my office ergonomic books that exposed the different stress levels on the spinal disks with various body positions.
The diagram had drawings of a person standing, lying down, sitting and then sitting while hunched forward with very poor posture. The disk pressure differences with these different postures was given as follows:
1) Standing upright 100%
2) Lying down 24%
3) Sitting upright 140%
4) Sitting hunched 190%
The explanation of the much higher disk pressures while sitting is explained by examining the structural changes that occur when we change from a standing to a seated position.
Our spines are supposed to have curves when viewed from the side. The neck should have a nice sweeping forward curve, the mid-back should carry a backward curve and the low back should have a sweeping forward curve. When these curves are present, the weight of your body is carried evenly across several different structures of the spine. These curves help provide stability for your spine.
Once we assume a seated position, the natural forward curve in our low backs reverses which increases the pressure on the disks and either increases back pain or causes back pain. If we stay in that seated position but flex our bodies forward at the waist (think bad posture – slumping over your keyboard or desk) the pressure in the disks elevates causing more damage and more pain.
Limiting the time that you sit will help your back pain in most instances. This is advice that I hand out to my San Diego chiropractic patients everyday of the week. I hope that it helps you as well.
Which is worse – neck pain or back pain?
I hear this question often in my San Diego chiropractic office. Of course the answer is easy – if you have back pain, back pain is definitely worse than neck pain. If you have neck pain, neck pain is definitely worse than back pain.
Another common question that I hear regarding low back pain is why sitting makes it hurt more than standing.
This is a good question, which can be answered through physics. I remember seeing a diagram in one of my office ergonomic books that exposed the different stress levels on the spinal disks with various body positions.
The diagram had drawings of a person standing, lying down, sitting and then sitting while hunched forward with very poor posture. The disk pressure differences with these different postures was given as follows:
1) Standing upright 100%
2) Lying down 24%
3) Sitting upright 140%
4) Sitting hunched 190%
The explanation of the much higher disk pressures while sitting is explained by examining the structural changes that occur when we change from a standing to a seated position.
Our spines are supposed to have curves when viewed from the side. The neck should have a nice sweeping forward curve, the mid-back should carry a backward curve and the low back should have a sweeping forward curve. When these curves are present, the weight of your body is carried evenly across several different structures of the spine. These curves help provide stability for your spine.
Once we assume a seated position, the natural forward curve in our low backs reverses which increases the pressure on the disks and either increases back pain or causes back pain. If we stay in that seated position but flex our bodies forward at the waist (think bad posture – slumping over your keyboard or desk) the pressure in the disks elevates causing more damage and more pain.
Limiting the time that you sit will help your back pain in most instances. This is advice that I hand out to my San Diego chiropractic patients everyday of the week. I hope that it helps you as well.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Back and Neck Pain Explained
Back and Neck Pain Explained 5
My chiropractic office, similar to many other practices all over the US, offers relief from back pain or neck pain. More than just a solution for back and neck pain, chiropractic care may alleviate symptoms or improve many ailments.
Never self-diagnosis back pain or neck pain; instead you should always seek professional advice and treatment. Ignoring the discomfort in your neck and back might make for more complex medical problems.
Some of the various conditions that cause back pain and neck pain can include everything from injury and infection to twisting or turning "the wrong way". Muscles, joints, ligaments, and vertebrae can undergo considerable trauma and resulting injury from auto and other types of accidents.
The most common cause of back pain that manifests as tightening or spasm of the muscles connected to the spine is overuse or under use of the back muscles. As we grow older, inflammation and swelling often develop in our joints and ligaments, especially in the cervical and lumbar areas.
A herniated disc happens if nucleus pulposus, the substance inside the disc, comes out of a torn annulus fibrosis, the substance outside of the disc, compressing the nerve root. Because the cervical and lumbar areas of the spine have the greatest range of motion, the discs here have a greater exposure to injury and repeated stress. The bottom two spinal vertebrae experience ninety percent of all herniated disc injuries.
One cause for aggravation and damage to the spinal cord is a condition known as spinal stenosis. Narrowing of the spinal canal, known as spinal stenosis, can result in damage or irritation of the spinal cord. As the vertebrae deteriorate with age, we are more likely to develop stenosis of the spine.
When something rubs or presses against a nerve creating irritation or inflammation, a pinched nerve, also known as radiculopathy, occurs. The causes of radiculopathy vary. Some causes of radiculopathy are bone spurs, herniated discs, fractures of the vertebrae, tumors, and a host of other diseases and conditions.
Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is known as Sciatica, a certain type of radiculopathy. The pain is felt along the big sciatic nerve, which goes from the lower back to the behind area and down the back of the leg.
Compressing the spine or nerve roots can cause significant pain and can be an indicator or symptom of a spinal tumor that originates in the spine (primary tumor) or reaches the spine from a different part of the body (metastatic tumor) can press on the spine's nerve roots and be very painful.
Vertebrae infections (osteomyelitis), discs, meninges (spinal meningitis), or cerebrospinal liquid can put pressure on the spinal cord and cause severe neurological deterioration, if there isn't a diagnosis or it isn't treated quickly.
Facet joints are formed by two adjacent vertebra and direct the movement of the spine; these joints are often areas that are affected by arthritis. As the joints deteriorate, they get out of alignment, and the cartilage and fluid that should keep our joints "greased" may deteriorate as well. Bone rubbing against bone can be very painful.
Back pain and neck pain can be caused by many things and not just these few examples. Chiropractors often relieve uncomfortable back pain and neck pain, because the associated causes are usually mechanical in nature. In conclusion, neck pain and back pain are warning signals from your body that should not be ignored.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
Monday, November 30, 2009
Chiropractic Can Improve Athletic Performance
Chiropractic Can Improve Athletic Performance
By Dr. Melanie Beingessner
What do Donovon Bailey, Joe Montana, Dan O’Brien, Mark McGwire, Michael Jordan, Steve Smith and Mel Gibson have in common? They all have regular chiropractic adjustments to improve their health. Mel Gibson aside, today’s athletes are looking for an edge over their competitors and Chiropractic is just the profession to help. >>Read More
People who have never seen a chiropractor before might wonder why an athlete would want an adjustment to help them win. Most people know that chiropractors are great at helping people recover from injuries, but there is an aspect to chiropractic care that is much more than mechanical neck and low back pain. Chiropractic adjustments help to improve the overall function of the nervous system, which, in turn, improves the efficiency of the communication between the brain and the body. With a fraction of a second meaning the difference between gold and silver, many of today’s top athletes are adjusted regularly during training and before each event.
After the “controversy” of the 1996 Olympics over who was really the fastest man in the world, a race was held at the Sky Dome in Toronto between Donovon Bailey and Michael Smith to settle the score. Just before lining up at the starting blocks, Donovan Bailey was adjusted on television by his chiropractor. While Donovan Bailey won as Michael Smith “experienced a hamstring problem”, the point is that chiropractic was an important part of Donovan Bailey’s preparation for competition.
During the NBA playoffs last year [1998], John Stockton from the Utah Jazz was filmed in the dressing room having chiropractic adjustments to help him improve his performance and to contribute to his team’s success.
Calgary Flame’s Steve Smith is adjusted regularly before home games and on the road if a chiropractor is available. Steve has been under regular chiropractic care for over 20 years and he says that he notices that his performance on the ice is not as sharp if he cannot be adjusted before a game.
How do chiropractic adjustments help to improve athletic performance? The answer lies in the nervous system. In our bodies, the brain is the master control and everything that we do is regulated by nerve impulses that are sent from the brain out to the body through our nerves. The vertebrae protect the spine and allow our bodies to move, but they can become fixed (the chiropractic term is subluxated) and these subluxated vertebrae can put pressure on the nerves as they exit the spine. This added pressure on the nerves can restrict the impulses that are sent from the brain to the body, which in turn can reduce the body’s ability to function as it should. Chiropractic adjustments improve the movement of the vertebrae and help to take the pressure off the nerves as they exit from the spine. With the release in pressure on the nervous system, the brain is able to communicate with the body more efficiently and the body functions with more precision.
For the athlete who is looking for an edge to his or her physical performance, the improved communication between the brain and every part of the body, especially the heart, lungs and muscles can make the difference between winning and losing.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
By Dr. Melanie Beingessner
What do Donovon Bailey, Joe Montana, Dan O’Brien, Mark McGwire, Michael Jordan, Steve Smith and Mel Gibson have in common? They all have regular chiropractic adjustments to improve their health. Mel Gibson aside, today’s athletes are looking for an edge over their competitors and Chiropractic is just the profession to help. >>Read More
People who have never seen a chiropractor before might wonder why an athlete would want an adjustment to help them win. Most people know that chiropractors are great at helping people recover from injuries, but there is an aspect to chiropractic care that is much more than mechanical neck and low back pain. Chiropractic adjustments help to improve the overall function of the nervous system, which, in turn, improves the efficiency of the communication between the brain and the body. With a fraction of a second meaning the difference between gold and silver, many of today’s top athletes are adjusted regularly during training and before each event.
After the “controversy” of the 1996 Olympics over who was really the fastest man in the world, a race was held at the Sky Dome in Toronto between Donovon Bailey and Michael Smith to settle the score. Just before lining up at the starting blocks, Donovan Bailey was adjusted on television by his chiropractor. While Donovan Bailey won as Michael Smith “experienced a hamstring problem”, the point is that chiropractic was an important part of Donovan Bailey’s preparation for competition.
During the NBA playoffs last year [1998], John Stockton from the Utah Jazz was filmed in the dressing room having chiropractic adjustments to help him improve his performance and to contribute to his team’s success.
Calgary Flame’s Steve Smith is adjusted regularly before home games and on the road if a chiropractor is available. Steve has been under regular chiropractic care for over 20 years and he says that he notices that his performance on the ice is not as sharp if he cannot be adjusted before a game.
How do chiropractic adjustments help to improve athletic performance? The answer lies in the nervous system. In our bodies, the brain is the master control and everything that we do is regulated by nerve impulses that are sent from the brain out to the body through our nerves. The vertebrae protect the spine and allow our bodies to move, but they can become fixed (the chiropractic term is subluxated) and these subluxated vertebrae can put pressure on the nerves as they exit the spine. This added pressure on the nerves can restrict the impulses that are sent from the brain to the body, which in turn can reduce the body’s ability to function as it should. Chiropractic adjustments improve the movement of the vertebrae and help to take the pressure off the nerves as they exit from the spine. With the release in pressure on the nervous system, the brain is able to communicate with the body more efficiently and the body functions with more precision.
For the athlete who is looking for an edge to his or her physical performance, the improved communication between the brain and every part of the body, especially the heart, lungs and muscles can make the difference between winning and losing.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Fast, Natural, Drug Free Low Back Pain Relief
Fast, Natural, Drug Free Low Back Pain Relief
What if I told you that over the last 15 years I have helped countless low back pain sufferers overcome their pain with a fast, natural, drug free therapy? In addition, that therapy is reasonably priced and covered by most insurance companies.
Of course I am writing about safe and effective chiropractic care.
At this point, some of you will be thinking “Chiropractic doesn’t work!” or “I wouldn’t go to one of those guys!”
I have heard all of these arguments in the past. I was even one of those people. I was raised in a semi anti chiropractic household.
My opinions changed after a car accident I was involved in back in 1984. After a mild fender bender, I slowly developed neck pain and stiffness. Before long that pain was “creeping” into my left shoulder and arm. I began to go to my primary physician at Kaiser for treatment. I followed his advice but nothing worked.
Early on in my treatment, I told my Kaiser doctor that my chiropractor uncle told me that I should see a local chiropractor. My Kaiser doctor dismissed that thought with some derogatory remark and told me to stick with his care – which I did.
Kaisers’ treatment was not helpful!
Eventually I saw a chiropractor who had my condition completely turned around in about 3 weeks. Mind you that the chiropractic care followed 5 months of pills and occasional physical therapy from Kaiser – that didn’t work.
My chiropractic treatment was so successful and actually enjoyable that I switched my college studies to pre-med and later attended Chiropractic College.
What does this have to do with low back pain you ask?
Everything.
Chiropractors are known for treating low back pain, it is what my profession is associated with. The reason that we are associated with low back pain treatment is because of my professions’ tremendous success rate with delivering fast, safe, natural, drug free back pain relief.
I recently read a study that indicated that the use of chiropractic care for low back pain relief is nearly 4000 times safer than using medications or other traditional western medicine inspired treatments.
Most cases of low back pain occur as a direct result of injury or dysfunction involving the joints and muscles of the low back. These are biomechanical problems that are not efficiently treated with medication (drugs). Biomechanical joint problems account for 80% of low back pain cases and usually worsen with age.
Chiropractic care and its use of specific joint adjustments is the logical and efficient treatment for biomechanical joint problems that are responsible for most cases of low back pain.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
What if I told you that over the last 15 years I have helped countless low back pain sufferers overcome their pain with a fast, natural, drug free therapy? In addition, that therapy is reasonably priced and covered by most insurance companies.
Of course I am writing about safe and effective chiropractic care.
At this point, some of you will be thinking “Chiropractic doesn’t work!” or “I wouldn’t go to one of those guys!”
I have heard all of these arguments in the past. I was even one of those people. I was raised in a semi anti chiropractic household.
My opinions changed after a car accident I was involved in back in 1984. After a mild fender bender, I slowly developed neck pain and stiffness. Before long that pain was “creeping” into my left shoulder and arm. I began to go to my primary physician at Kaiser for treatment. I followed his advice but nothing worked.
Early on in my treatment, I told my Kaiser doctor that my chiropractor uncle told me that I should see a local chiropractor. My Kaiser doctor dismissed that thought with some derogatory remark and told me to stick with his care – which I did.
Kaisers’ treatment was not helpful!
Eventually I saw a chiropractor who had my condition completely turned around in about 3 weeks. Mind you that the chiropractic care followed 5 months of pills and occasional physical therapy from Kaiser – that didn’t work.
My chiropractic treatment was so successful and actually enjoyable that I switched my college studies to pre-med and later attended Chiropractic College.
What does this have to do with low back pain you ask?
Everything.
Chiropractors are known for treating low back pain, it is what my profession is associated with. The reason that we are associated with low back pain treatment is because of my professions’ tremendous success rate with delivering fast, safe, natural, drug free back pain relief.
I recently read a study that indicated that the use of chiropractic care for low back pain relief is nearly 4000 times safer than using medications or other traditional western medicine inspired treatments.
Most cases of low back pain occur as a direct result of injury or dysfunction involving the joints and muscles of the low back. These are biomechanical problems that are not efficiently treated with medication (drugs). Biomechanical joint problems account for 80% of low back pain cases and usually worsen with age.
Chiropractic care and its use of specific joint adjustments is the logical and efficient treatment for biomechanical joint problems that are responsible for most cases of low back pain.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Why do I have back pain?
Chiropractic Treatment for Low Back Pain
Why do I have back pain?
Being a chiropractor in San Diego, I hear this question all the time. Back pain and neck pain are the two most common complaints that my patients have. The fact that my practice is in San Diego probably decreases the frequency of these complaints. People in San Diego tend to be more active which actually lowers the incidence of low back and neck pain.
Over fifteen years ago when I first started practicing chiropractic care in San Diego, most of my low back pain patients and neck pain patients for that matter were not related to office work. Most of the cases that I had when I first started practicing were do to injuries like car accidents and falls or heavy work.
In the mid to late nineteen nineties, I started to see a trend in injury mechanisms among my patients. They were starting to attribute their pain to long hours of sitting at the computer.
Sitting all day at the computer not only causes back pain but it also causes neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome and various arm problems.
Lower back pain is primarily due to poor sitting posture. When we are standing up with good posture, our lower backs have a sweeping forward bowing curve that resembles a stretched out letter “c”. This shape distributes our bodies weight evenly throughout the spine. When we sit, this curve reverses, greatly increasing the stress on the joints and discs in the spine.
With time, this postural stress results in irritation and inflammation resulting in pain and muscle spasms.
Once the low back has reached a point of pain and spasms, chiropractic care is necessary to relieve the pain, improve the biomechanics of the spine and relax the muscles.
In addition to chiropractic care for back pain, the patient must seek out an ergonomic chair and have it adjusted properly for their body. In many cases, I suggest a complete workstation analysis to help prevent future problems with other computer related stresses.
Why do I have back pain?
Being a chiropractor in San Diego, I hear this question all the time. Back pain and neck pain are the two most common complaints that my patients have. The fact that my practice is in San Diego probably decreases the frequency of these complaints. People in San Diego tend to be more active which actually lowers the incidence of low back and neck pain.
Over fifteen years ago when I first started practicing chiropractic care in San Diego, most of my low back pain patients and neck pain patients for that matter were not related to office work. Most of the cases that I had when I first started practicing were do to injuries like car accidents and falls or heavy work.
In the mid to late nineteen nineties, I started to see a trend in injury mechanisms among my patients. They were starting to attribute their pain to long hours of sitting at the computer.
Sitting all day at the computer not only causes back pain but it also causes neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome and various arm problems.
Lower back pain is primarily due to poor sitting posture. When we are standing up with good posture, our lower backs have a sweeping forward bowing curve that resembles a stretched out letter “c”. This shape distributes our bodies weight evenly throughout the spine. When we sit, this curve reverses, greatly increasing the stress on the joints and discs in the spine.
With time, this postural stress results in irritation and inflammation resulting in pain and muscle spasms.
Once the low back has reached a point of pain and spasms, chiropractic care is necessary to relieve the pain, improve the biomechanics of the spine and relax the muscles.
In addition to chiropractic care for back pain, the patient must seek out an ergonomic chair and have it adjusted properly for their body. In many cases, I suggest a complete workstation analysis to help prevent future problems with other computer related stresses.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
Sunday, November 1, 2009
spines are essentially a stack of bones
Spines are essentially a stack of bones
Being a practicing chiropractor in San Diego for the last 15 plus years has given me the opportunity to manage hundreds of cases of lower back pain. I would say that of these cases of low back pain, at least 75% of them are the result of a sedentary lifestyle and lack of core strength.
Our spines are essentially a stack of bones that give use the ability to flex, bend and twist while at the same time provide protection for our spinal cord. Ligaments, which are tough fibrous bands of tissue help provide stability of the joints. Another major contributor of stability for our spines comes from the muscles. The muscles in our bodies, regardless of where they are located should be strong and flexible. Strong flexible muscles in our core help prevent injuries.
The trend in America is that we are becoming heavier and exercising less. In addition to this trend, or perhaps a contributor to this trend is the fact that so many people have work that revolves around the computer. I know that some of my patients sit at a computer station all day long – every day of the week.
Sitting at a computer has multiple ill effects on the health of our spines. The postural stress of sitting puts stress on the discs that separate our vertebrae. When we sit, the normal forward sweeping curve of our low backs round backward which displaces the weight of our bodies forward putting increased pressure on the discs. This posture also stretches the muscles that run down the back of the spine eventually causing what is known as a “stretch weakness”.
It is the loss of core strength combined with the postural stress of sitting at work for hours and days on end that leads to most of the back problems that I see at work. I always find it ironic that office workers who are in for treatment make comments about how I must see so many heavy laborers for back pain while my office is filled with computer jockeys.
The solutions to the problems described above are simple but require diligence. First of all, you have to take breaks if you sit all day. I had a seminar years ago where one of the speakers gave a simple solution to get you up and moving during the day. He suggested that you have a small, 8 oz glass of water on your desk that you drink from all day. With this plan, every twenty minutes or so you will have to get up to get more water or get up to go to the bathroom. These mini breaks in your day help relieve postural stress.
The second part of taking care of your back involves building strength in your core.
This involves exercise. Walking, jogging, bicycle riding, crunches and various exercises on a Swiss Ball will all go a long way towards building core strength and reducing your chances of lower back injury.
Being a practicing chiropractor in San Diego for the last 15 plus years has given me the opportunity to manage hundreds of cases of lower back pain. I would say that of these cases of low back pain, at least 75% of them are the result of a sedentary lifestyle and lack of core strength.
Our spines are essentially a stack of bones that give use the ability to flex, bend and twist while at the same time provide protection for our spinal cord. Ligaments, which are tough fibrous bands of tissue help provide stability of the joints. Another major contributor of stability for our spines comes from the muscles. The muscles in our bodies, regardless of where they are located should be strong and flexible. Strong flexible muscles in our core help prevent injuries.
The trend in America is that we are becoming heavier and exercising less. In addition to this trend, or perhaps a contributor to this trend is the fact that so many people have work that revolves around the computer. I know that some of my patients sit at a computer station all day long – every day of the week.
Sitting at a computer has multiple ill effects on the health of our spines. The postural stress of sitting puts stress on the discs that separate our vertebrae. When we sit, the normal forward sweeping curve of our low backs round backward which displaces the weight of our bodies forward putting increased pressure on the discs. This posture also stretches the muscles that run down the back of the spine eventually causing what is known as a “stretch weakness”.
It is the loss of core strength combined with the postural stress of sitting at work for hours and days on end that leads to most of the back problems that I see at work. I always find it ironic that office workers who are in for treatment make comments about how I must see so many heavy laborers for back pain while my office is filled with computer jockeys.
The solutions to the problems described above are simple but require diligence. First of all, you have to take breaks if you sit all day. I had a seminar years ago where one of the speakers gave a simple solution to get you up and moving during the day. He suggested that you have a small, 8 oz glass of water on your desk that you drink from all day. With this plan, every twenty minutes or so you will have to get up to get more water or get up to go to the bathroom. These mini breaks in your day help relieve postural stress.
The second part of taking care of your back involves building strength in your core.
This involves exercise. Walking, jogging, bicycle riding, crunches and various exercises on a Swiss Ball will all go a long way towards building core strength and reducing your chances of lower back injury.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Rain brings whiplash season
A Dangerous Time of Year: Whiplash Time is Upon Us
When the rains begin to fall, we know to expect calls from our regular patients and new referrals to address pain stemming from car accident injuries. When roads are slick and slippery, it is around 4 to 5 times more likely for an accident to occur when compared to calm weather. In the last decade and a half, my Chiropractic office has seen hundreds of car accident and personal injury victims.
Whiplash is the classic neck injury that is most commonly caused by automobile accidents.
When the head is pulled forward and yanked backwards as in an auto accident, the immense stress affects the neck causing whiplash. The weight of the head is considerable compared to the size of the muscles used to control it. When the head is suddenly whipped in a violent manner, the muscles of the neck are inadequate to support the movement associated with the gravitational g-force pull. Some of the typical results of a whiplash injury are ligament damage, pinched nerves, muscle tearing, spasms and back problems.
Whiplash can become a painful, chronic problem if not treated. A lot of people make the error of judging the type of injury to their body, based on the impact force or the total amount of car damage. This isn't good thinking. There are a myriad of variables that determine whether someone experiences pain with just a small fender-bender, while someone else feels absolutely none after having their car totaled by a vehicle traveling at 65 mph. Some of the considerations as to whether a person sustains an injury during an accident include angle and speed of impact, use of safety belts, and head position.
It is a common myth that whiplash and other injuries can only occur as a result of high speed auto accidents; in reality, many people experience symptoms after minor accidents. Symptoms of whiplash may occur at the time, or they may occur days, weeks or even many months later.
Whiplash can cause many problems including painful headaches, muscle spasms, pain in the shoulders, dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), arm pain and tingling, insomnia, and the most common, neck pain. The chronic pain of whiplash can destroy a patient’s quality of life, resulting in the chance of depression.
Misaligned vertebrae in the neck is a common problem associated with whiplash. If treatment is not obtained, these vertebrae will remain misaligned, which will cause chronic neck pain, loss of motion, headaches and arthritis in the future.
A study done in Canada, published in 1998, looked at approximately 10,000 people with neck injuries; the conclusion from the study was that remedies in addition to chiropractic treatment are necessary for recovery from whiplash. The study also determined that "accepted" treatments like muscle relaxers, neck collars, immobilization, and all the rest were not helpful for a whiplash victim.
Drive carefully!
We offer whiplash treatments in our location. The most common cause of auto accidents is a wet road. The reason we have an extremely slick and slippery surface when it rains here in the desert is because oil and other substances loosen from the road after being adhered to it through most of the year.
Car accidents are a big deal! It is true but unfortunate that nearly 1/4 of people in car accidents experience ongoing pain. This could cause a lifetime of chronic pain in the neck, lower back and head.
Defensive driving is the best way to prevent an accident in rainy weather. The next part of this article details the safety guidelines for driving in wet weather, originally published by the National Safety Council on their website.
It can be scary to lose control of your vehicle on a wet surface. You can avoid skidding by driving cautiously and slowly, especially when going around curves. Use a light touch to brake and steer. If you need to slow down or stop, make sure that you don't start skidding by avoiding braking hard and locking the wheels. Use mild pressure on the brakes.
If your car begins to slide, don't panic, take your foot off the gas and steer into the direction of the skid until the car regains traction. Try not to use your brakes if they aren't anti-lock. This maneuver, often called "steering into the skid," brings the rear of the car in line with the front end. Brake firmly as you steer into the skid if your car has anti-lock brakes.
Sliding or slipping on wet roads is certainly unsettling but hydroplaning is terrifying. Hydroplaning occurs as the water in front of the tires builds up quicker than your car's weight can push it away. The pressure of the water actually lifts up your automobile and makes it slide on the thin layer of water that is lying between your tires and the road. Your vehicle has little or no contact directly with the road, and the slightest wrong movement could cause a skid or cause you to slide out of your lane or off the road. Proper tire maintenance and safe driving habits during inclement weather are your best defense against the dangers of hydroplaning. Do your best to drive in the same tire tracks left by the car in front of you.
Don't brake or turn suddenly if you start hydroplaning. This could make your car skid. Take your foot off the gas pedal slowly until your car slows down and you feel the road again. When you brake, do it gently. If the car comes with anti-lock brakes, then you should brake normally; the car's computer system will simulate a pumping action, when needed. The best way to avoid an accident in bad weather is to be a defensive driver and adjust your speed according to the conditions.
This next section provides recommendations from the National Safety Council.
Visit a chiropractor as soon as possible after any car accident, even a fender bender. According to statistics, the best thing to do to prevent being part of the 25% people that have auto injuries that have not completely recovered, is to let a licensed chiropractor look at you and obey the suggested treatment as soon as you can.
Chiropractic Care For Auto Accidents
When was your last auto accident? Did you go to a chiropractor for an evaluation? If you haven't, then you should. You have not waited too long.
Our Chiropractic Office treats a lot of individuals for back pain, neck pain, as well as headaches that are caused by auto accidents. Many of our patients are being treated for recent accidents, however many more patients were in auto accidents years prior but were not treated at the time due to not taking the symptoms seriously at the time of occurrence.
I have always thought it was a little strange that, generally, people don't spend time helping themselves feel better but they are always concerned about getting their cars repaired quickly.
It's hard to explain why so many people think like this. Often when people are involved in a car accident they tend to overlook, or don't take seriously, minor headaches, mild lower back pain, or a small amount of neck pain. This thinking isn't right. We can’t afford to ignore the signs our bodies give when something is wrong.
In accidents involving whiplash, the injury mechanism is quite complex. Multiple injuries are associated with these accidents, such as ripped or torn ligaments, herniated discs in the spine, stretched or torn muscles, and even fractures of the spine. The effects of injuries that lead to back pain and neck pain can be a fairly mild nuisance or a debilitating condition. Back pain and neck pain are hard to cope with in short durations, and chronic pains can alter your life dramatically.
While it is complicated to explain the mechanism of injury in whiplash cases, the usual resulting spinal injuries follow a very similar path. In the beginning there is irritation of the ligaments and muscles in the area of injury. This irritation can turn into inflammation. Inflammation creates the initial symptoms of injury, and when inflammation is left untreated, it forms scar tissue possibly leading to permanent disability and chronic pain.
Statistics show that close to 25% of automobile injury victims experience pain from enduring symptoms. I see proof of this statistic regularly in my chiropractic office.
Chiropractors specialize in treating neck and back pain that occur due to an automobile accident. The best thing you can do to be certain that you are not included with this 25% group that has never been completely healed from their injuries that came from an auto accident is to be examined and follow your chiropractor's suggestions for treatment.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
back pain-neck pain affected by your posture
How is back pain and neck pain affected by your posture?
Did you ever question why you can sit down all day long and don't do any hard work and still your back or neck hurts? It is amazing that humans don't sustain even more back pain and neck pain, given the structure of our bodies and the physical demands. In my California chiropractic practice, I frequently treat office workers who experience chronic and severe back and neck pain tied to easy-to-fix ergonomic issues in their workspace.
Anyone at any time can have back or neck pain. Lifting, operating machinery, sports, auto accidents, and falls are some of the most common injuries I see in my office. These kind of injuries are typical or expected injuries. The majority of patients think that chiropractic issues stem from lifting heavy sacks of concrete but are surprised to find that most are due to postural stress.
Spinal health can be jeopardized slowly and insidiously due to postural stress. Regardless of whether you sit or stand, postural trauma can ensue. Postural stress is felt whenever the natural curve of the spine is altered or if the spine moves past its natural balance point.
One of the various postural stressful positions is sitting at the computer leaning forward with your neck and head while typing or mousing or viewing the screen. This posture, in which your head and neck are extended in front of your body, reverses the normal curvature of your spine and neck, and shifts your head away from its balance point.
If our posture puts pressure on our spines, the security that controls our structures when postural limitations are concerned is gone. Stress from the way we hold ourselves (either sitting or standing) opens our ligaments and muscles up to long periods of being stretched (perhaps incorrectly) which leads to muscle fatigue, irritation, inflammation, back and neck pain, and even arthritis over the long run.
To treat neck and back pain caused by postural stress, one must undertake a multifaceted plan. Using this method of chiropractic care in conjunction with stretching and nutritional support relieves pain and stiffness and restores normal, full joint movement. Depending on the length of time that you have been in pain or the severity of your symptoms, this part of your recovery may take several treatments or a lengthy treatment program.
Along with chiropractic treatment, it is important to address origins of postural stress. Have your workstation analyzed to highlight any ergonomic issues that could cause postural stress. An ice pack placed on the affected area for twenty minutes can relieve neck pain and back pain.
Start treatment by talking to your chiropractor. Chiropractors are medically trained to deal with postural stress problems and the neck pain that occurs as a result. Our San Diego based chiropractic clinic employs a complete approach to rehabilitation using chiropractic care supported by stretches and exercises. In order to facilitate the healing process we encourage the proper nutritional support. It is just as important to understand and correct the cause of poor posture, which causes pain, as it is to seek treatment to relieve the pain.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
ADJUSTABLE MOUSE PLATFORM Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav
Chiropractic San Diego Website to make an appointment
Better Health Steve Jones
Did you ever question why you can sit down all day long and don't do any hard work and still your back or neck hurts? It is amazing that humans don't sustain even more back pain and neck pain, given the structure of our bodies and the physical demands. In my California chiropractic practice, I frequently treat office workers who experience chronic and severe back and neck pain tied to easy-to-fix ergonomic issues in their workspace.
Anyone at any time can have back or neck pain. Lifting, operating machinery, sports, auto accidents, and falls are some of the most common injuries I see in my office. These kind of injuries are typical or expected injuries. The majority of patients think that chiropractic issues stem from lifting heavy sacks of concrete but are surprised to find that most are due to postural stress.
Spinal health can be jeopardized slowly and insidiously due to postural stress. Regardless of whether you sit or stand, postural trauma can ensue. Postural stress is felt whenever the natural curve of the spine is altered or if the spine moves past its natural balance point.
One of the various postural stressful positions is sitting at the computer leaning forward with your neck and head while typing or mousing or viewing the screen. This posture, in which your head and neck are extended in front of your body, reverses the normal curvature of your spine and neck, and shifts your head away from its balance point.
If our posture puts pressure on our spines, the security that controls our structures when postural limitations are concerned is gone. Stress from the way we hold ourselves (either sitting or standing) opens our ligaments and muscles up to long periods of being stretched (perhaps incorrectly) which leads to muscle fatigue, irritation, inflammation, back and neck pain, and even arthritis over the long run.
To treat neck and back pain caused by postural stress, one must undertake a multifaceted plan. Using this method of chiropractic care in conjunction with stretching and nutritional support relieves pain and stiffness and restores normal, full joint movement. Depending on the length of time that you have been in pain or the severity of your symptoms, this part of your recovery may take several treatments or a lengthy treatment program.
Along with chiropractic treatment, it is important to address origins of postural stress. Have your workstation analyzed to highlight any ergonomic issues that could cause postural stress. An ice pack placed on the affected area for twenty minutes can relieve neck pain and back pain.
Start treatment by talking to your chiropractor. Chiropractors are medically trained to deal with postural stress problems and the neck pain that occurs as a result. Our San Diego based chiropractic clinic employs a complete approach to rehabilitation using chiropractic care supported by stretches and exercises. In order to facilitate the healing process we encourage the proper nutritional support. It is just as important to understand and correct the cause of poor posture, which causes pain, as it is to seek treatment to relieve the pain.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
ADJUSTABLE MOUSE PLATFORM Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav
Chiropractic San Diego Website to make an appointment
Better Health Steve Jones
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