BACK PAIN
Researchers estimate that 80% of people experience back pain at some point in their lives. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor (upper respiratory symptoms are number one) and the most common reason for missed work. For decades the most prescribed treatment for back pain was muscle relaxers and pain medication, but more recent research has shown that there are more effective and safer options.
In 2017, the American College of Physicians, the largest medical-specialty society in the world, updated their clinical protocols for treating back pain and now recommend a conservative approach that includes chiropractic care before using muscle relaxers or pain medication. In cases of chronic back pain, where the symptoms keep coming back over and over again, experts agree that a multifaceted approach that includes chiropractic care and some lifestyle changes is best.
Upper cervical chiropractic care has been demonstrated to be one of the most effective treatments for chronic back pain because it focuses the treatment on the epicenter of the spinal alignment problem, not just where the pain is located. Even after general chiropractic care had failed them, many people with chronic back pain find long-lasting relief with upper cervical chiropractic care.
Joint Pain
A life limited by joint pain can be slow and miserable. The pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling can make even the simplest tasks more difficult. It is estimated that 23% of adults suffer from joint pain due to a form of arthritis. In fact, joint pain due to arthritis in the leading cause of work-related disability in the United States. In some cases the chronic joint pain and arthritis is accompanied by other health problems (diabetes, heart disease, obesity) which can make treatment more difficult.
The most common type of arthritis that causes joint pain is osteoarthritis, but there are other types like Rheumatoid and Gout that can cause joint pain. Some causes of joint pain require immediate medical attention therefore it is important to understand the underlying cause of the pain before you begin to focus on managing the pain.
Most treatment options focus on managing the joint pain caused by the arthritis, but they do little to prevent the arthritis from getting worse. And the medications or injections used to manage the pain have side-effects that only get worse and more severe with long-term use. At The Specific Chiropractic Centers we have a great track record when it comes to arthritis because we not only help our patients reduce their pain levels with natural alternatives, but we also help slow or stop the progression of the arthritis by bringing the body back into structural balance.
Headaches
Nearly everyone will have at least one headache in their life. There are many potential causes of the occasional or random headache, but frequent headaches are a symptom of something more serious. And despite millions of people going to their medical doctor complaining of frequent headaches every year, many doctors and health care professionals tend to view headaches as a minor or trivial problem.
Anyone who suffers from frequent headaches knows the pain can be disabling at times and the problem takes a heavy toll on your personal relationships, your work, your finances, and your social life. There are several recognized types of headaches (tension headaches, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, rebound headaches, hypertension headaches, etc) and most the common treatment is pain relieving medication.
The latest research has revealed that the most common underlying cause of frequent headaches is a problem in the upper neck that causes muscle and nerve irritation. Upper cervical chiropractic care has a track record of success with frequent headaches because they focus on the root cause. After their care, many patients are able to reduce, or eliminate, their need for medication and go for for months without any symptoms.
Neck Pain
Having neck pain at some point throughout life is common. For most people the neck pain is minor and goes away after a few days. However, some people experience chronic neck pain that does not respond well to traditional treatments and can be extremely uncomfortable or even debilitating. In some cases the chronic neck pain is also associated with frequent headaches, limited range of motion, and tingling sensations in one or both arms or hands.
Neck pain and stiffness is a type of problem that does generally not fit well into the traditional medical system unless there is an easily identified source of the pain like a fractured or dislocated bone. The pain relieving and muscle relaxing medications often prescribed for general neck pain can certainly provide temporary relief from the discomfort, but do little for long-term improvement. Chronic neck pain is a serious problem, can be a difficult problem to treat, and can impact one’s relationships, work and family obligations, and finances.
Some people with neck pain find that massage therapy, physical therapy, or general chiropractic care provided the improvement they were hoping for. However, some people have a type of neck pain that requires a specialized approach that can identify and address the epicenter of the problem in order to provide long-term relief. Upper cervical chiropractic care has a track record of success with stubborn and chronic neck pain cases.
Migraines
It is estimated that 13% of adults suffer from migraines and about 2-3% of them have chronic migraines (15 or more days a month with symptoms). Some of the common symptoms of a migraine, like throbbing and pressure, led early medical researchers to think migraines were a vascular (blood flow) problem which is why most of the migraine medications are directed at blood vessel constriction and blocking pain signals. At best that approach can only manage the symptoms of a migraine, but offers little hope for preventing future migraines.
More recent research is showing that migraines are actually related to a complex neurovascular problem originating in from the brainstem (back of the head where the neck and head join) which is why many migraine sufferers also get changes in their vision (auras, light sensitivity) equilibrium (balance problems, vertigo), hearing (sound sensitivity), trouble talking, numbness/tingling (usually on one half of the head or body), and nausea.
There is a unique relationship between the top two bones of the neck (C1 and C2) and the brainstem which is why upper cervical specific chiropractic care has a track record of success with migraines. By focusing on the underlying neurovascular problem that causes migraines many patients are able remain migraine free for months without the use of medication.
