Sciatica Treatment Matthews
SPINE RELATED
Back Pain
So what is the cause of back pain? The number of injuries, spinal segmental dysfunction, and conditions that cause back pain seems endless. Due to the complex structure of the back that is required to absorb stress while permitting movement, many elements of this structure such as tendons, ligaments, discs, muscles, and bones can become irritated or damaged resulting in pain. Sometimes it is severe trauma, such as a car accident, that can result in back pain and other times it is minor repetitive stress that causes the most damage. Therefore, you may not be able to recall any particular event that caused the onset of your pain. In addition to all of these possibilities, physical injury is not always the primary cause. Fortunately, Dr. Mark R. Pustaver at Pustaver Chiropractic Care has many years of education and experience to determine the correct diagnosis and direct you to the most appropriate line of care. Without an accurate diagnosis and treatment, even the most minor conditions can develop into serious lifelong conditions.
As mentioned previously, there is a multitude of causes for back pain, however, some of them are more common than others. The following are some of the most common causes of lower back pain that are seen and treated at Pustaver Chiropractic Care.
disc bulges or herniations
One of the most common and painful causes of back pain is a disc bulge or herniation. It is important to recognize that not all disc bulges or herniations result in pain. It has been found through MRI studies of numerous patients that as much as 37% of the American population has a disc bulge or herniation and the vast majority of them are experiencing no pain or other related symptoms. Unfortunately, the people who are experiencing pain often describe it as severe and intense. The type of pain that is experienced due to a disc herniation depends on the type and position of the herniation. If the damaged disc is irritating a surrounding nerve, shooting pain and weakness into the legs may develop. The discomfort is often described as stabbing and lightning-like. To understand how a disc herniation develops, it is best to think of the disc as a jelly doughnut. If the outer edges of the doughnut (disc) are damaged over time, most typically from wear and tear, the jelly in the middle of the disc can escape causing damage to surrounding structures. Once this process has completed it is often very difficult to reverse. However, chiropractic care has been shown to prevent the advancement of herniation and provide relief from the associated pain.
subluxations
Subluxations are one of the most commonly overlooked contributors to back pain. Subluxation is a medical term used to basically describe a vertebrae in our spine that is not moving properly or through a normal range of motion. Not only can the subluxations cause problems at the spinal level, they can also lead to consequences on brain function and health. Causes of subluxations range from physical trauma, stress, and toxins. Just as stress can contribute to the formation of an ulcer in the gut, it can also cause physiological changes in the body that result in the vertebrae in our back becoming out of position. The time frame to correct subluxations varies by the individual, but our chiropractor at Pustaver Chiropractic Care is one of the few professionals trained in their correction.
MUSCULAR SPRAINS AND TENDON OR LIGAMENT STRAINS
Strains and sprains can occur in anyone, but they typically occur in people who begin tasks and work these structures in ways they are not used too. For example, a person who attempts to run a marathon during their first outing in the summer is likely to overwork these structures causing damage. Ligament sprains are typically caused by stretching the involved ligament past its limits, creating tears. Muscular strains are commonly caused by lifting too heavy of an object and twisting motions. Strains and sprains of the ligaments and muscles in the back can be extremely painful and is often accompanied by swelling and bruising of the surrounding area. Strains and sprains are intimately intertwined with the spine and therefore, typically respond well to chiropractic care. Our Pustaver Chiropractic Care is fully equipped to provide comprehensive treatment of these injuries.
stress and back pain
People who are chronically under stress have a very different physiological profile then those who are not. When our bodies are under intense stress, it releases various stress hormones to adapt to the situation. Some of the adaptive mechanisms include; an elevated heart rate, an increased blood pressure, an altered immune system, decreased bone density, and decreased muscle mass. If this response is prolonged, elevated stress levels have been shown to contribute to the development of heart disease, digestive issues, depression, obesity, and back pain. All of the tension produced by the stress hormones causes a contraction of muscle tissue that produces “trigger points”. These trigger points can be extremely painful, but thankfully they are treated with a high success rate at our Pustaver Chiropractic Care.
CAN CHIROPRACTIC HELP MY BACK PAIN?
When health care professionals, such as chiropractors, treat the cause of back pain rather than the symptoms, the treatment of back pain becomes less complicated. All of the above-stated causes of back pain have one factor in common, spinal segmental dysfunction. Luckily, Dr. Mark R. Pustaver at Pustaver Chiropractic Care is specially trained in their treatment. That is why multiple studies have shown chiropractic care to be the most effective form of treatment for the various causes of back pain. As with any condition, it is recommended to take a conservative, effective, and non-invasive approach to the treatment of back pain first. If you are suffering from back pain or have any further questions, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Disc Injury
Have you been told that you have a slipped disc or a disc injury? They can vary from slight to severe, but most require the attention of a trained chiropractor. Dr. Mark R. Pustaver can help you understand your condition and help you develop the best treatment option for you.
The little pads that lie between your vertebrae are called the intervertebral discs; each of which has a tough outer ring and a soft gel-like center. Your discs both join and separate your vertebrae. These discs serve as cushions or shock absorbers so that the bones don’t make contact with each other as you move. Without discs, we would literally be unable to move our upper torso.
more about disc injury
If you are diagnosed with a protruding disc it means that the gel is pushed out or bulging, and is asymmetrical in different places. This may result in pinching and irritation of the nerve roots at that point.
A herniated disc happens when the disc material ruptures to the point that the gel pushes outward. This can also cause pain and numbness due to the irritation of the nerves and can be very serious in some cases.
A disc extrusion is the worst type of disc injury. What it means is that the gel balloons extensively into the area outside the vertebrae or breaks off from the disc. This tends to result in considerable back pain and limitation of range of motion.
If you're suffering from a disc injury call Dr. Mark R. Pustaver at Pustaver Chiropractic Care today. We are here to help.
Headaches & Migraines
Migraines and headaches are serious and affect many people. If you're not sure if you have had a migraine or not, the chances are you probably have not had one. The pain can be mind-numbing, and for many patients, it leaves them unable to function. The traditional medical system relies on medication for this issue, but for many patients, that's not enough. It's important to find the source of what's causing the problem. Dr. Mark R. Pustaver can help.
There are many symptoms that can occur before a headache or migraine starts. Hallucinations, depression, or irritation are some of the symptoms those with migraines may experience. Often those with migraines will try to avoid any light, have an intolerance to loud noises, and experience nausea, and vomiting to name a few.
more about headaches & migraines
It has been shown many times that chiropractic care is effective at helping people with migraines. When the spine is aligned and pressure is removed from the nervous system, this will prevent migraine headaches from occurring. While most people know that they should visit the dentist they are not sure that they need to visit a chiropractor. Dentists take care of our teeth which is an important job, but your spine and nervous system control everything in your body.
how are headaches treated?
For over one hundred years chiropractic care has been giving people relief from headaches and migraines. The kind of treatment for headaches will depend on what is causing the headaches. Dr. Mark R. Pustaver works diligently to find the source of your headaches to help you to overcome them. Each year millions of dollars are spent treating headaches with aspirin and other drugs. While this may help in some cases, it is often not treat the cause of the problem. Chiropractors are able to work at the source of the problem, which can help you prevent the need for headache medications.
Don't suffer from headaches and migraines. At Pustaver Chiropractic Care, Dr. Mark R. Pustaver will help you understand the cause of your condition and the treatment necessary to fix it. Feel free to call and ask any questions that you may have.
Neck Pain
It is impossible to help an individual with neck pain if you're not sure of the specific location of the problem. Dr. Mark Pustaver is a board-certified chiropractic neurologist. This specialized training comes at a great advantage in diagnosing and treating this condition.
Many people let spinal problems go uncorrected. They hope that if they wait long enough their neck pain will just go away. In many cases it may go away, but the underlying spinal dysfunction that caused the problem is still there.. Over time that area will often become aggravated again, and the pain will return. Over time without correction, the problem can become much more serious. Some patients get to the point where surgery may be the only option.
common vs. normal
The first time you're in our office we will begin with your health history. Dr. Mark R. Pustaver needs to understand your condition before he can properly help you. Our hope is that your recovery will be speedy and quick.
Don't let yourself struggle with neck pain. The team at Pustaver Chiropractic Care is here and excited to help you! Call if you have any questions. Today is the day to begin chiropractic care!
Sciatica
Emergency room doctors say that sciatica is one of the most common things they encounter each year. While there are large numbers of people who have this issue, many never achieve a long-term solution. Their sciatic pain continues to worsen because they have not received the correct treatment. This article from Pustaver Chiropractic Care will help you to understand the ins and outs of this condition and how chiropractic care can help you overcome it.
Do many people wonder what sciatica feels like? Patients often describe the pain of sciatica as a slight discomfort to the most extreme unbearable pain. Sciatic pain can show up in different areas of the leg and foot, and many times the pain will come and go. Over years of time people tend to go through periods of pain that typically intensify as the problem goes unchecked.
more about sciatica
The lumbar spine, and the pelvis are usually the areas where a sciatica condition will originate. This area of the spine is very complicated and it can be difficult to locate the problem. Our team will be able to work with you to zero in on the source.
Some patients say that all they did was bend over to pick up a piece of paper and they were hit with extreme pain. They don't understand how an easy task caused them so much pain. The reality is that their condition was probably developing over years of time, that piece of paper just happened to be the last straw. Most spinal problems don't happen overnight, they build up over years of time.how long does it take to correct sciatica?
Treatment length for sciatic pain can vary significantly from patient to patient. Some people respond very quickly while others take more time to recover. It really depends on the condition of the disc or the joints that the chiropractor has to correct. In most cases, the longer the issue persists, the longer it will take to achieve correction. The great news is that it typically takes less time to fix an issue like this than it took to create it.
Please call our office today to see if we can help you with this very painful condition
Scoliosis
As with any condition, a person should always consider the most conservative approach to treatment first. Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of chiropractic care for the treatment of scoliosis. Dr. Mark R. Pustaver at Pustaver Chiropractic Care has the resources and experience to provide you with the most appropriate care and as a result, potentially eliminate the need for more invasive and aggressive treatments. To accomplish this, our office will perform a full health history to identify any factors that could be contributing to the presence of scoliosis. Often occupational factors, lifestyle habits, previous traumas, hereditary factors, and recreational activities are at the roots of the problem. However, in many cases, the causes may be idiopathic, which means we don't know what the underlying cause is.
what causes scoliosis?
Many ideas regarding the cause of scoliosis have been researched and there has been little consensus regarding its origin. However, studies have shown that scoliosis is more likely to occur in young adolescent females. Often, as scoliosis may begin with a seemingly minor, spinal dysfunction, however, overtime, the scoliosis may progress, and become severe. Often parents and children first notice the presence of scoliosis due to the un-leveling of the shoulders and pelvis. Unlike other spinal conditions, scoliosis cannot be reversed by changes in posture.
While many cases of scoliosis affect the younger population, it is important to realize that the condition can also develop in older adults. As people age, degenerative disorders such as osteoporosis cause the bones in the spine to lose their normal shape. As a result, the body begins to compensate by producing lateral curves in the spine to ensure that the head remains level. In such cases, if the cause of the bending is not addressed, severe consequences including heart and lung problems may develop.
While x-rays are the most effective means of detecting a scoliosis, it is also important to perform the appropriate neurological and orthopedic evaluations.