Arthritis is a painful condition that affects the joints. There are different types of this debilitating illness; for example, inflammatory forms like rheumatoid arthritis are rooted in auto immune conditions and can surface at younger ages. In this situation, the immune system malfunctions and wears away at the cartilage surrounding the bone.

Osteoarthritis, amore common type of arthritis, takes place over time and tends to be the result of wear and tear. This kind of frequently occurs in more advanced years.

All types of arthritis, nonetheless, can be damaging. Because of this, employment can become disrupted, and normal activities can grow considerably limited. In fact, arthritis is a major cause of disability in the United States, commonly because of the stiffness and pain it causes. And, since arthritis can negatively impact an individual’sway of life, it can spur on depression, anxiety, and heightened stress, as well.

Chiropractic care is an effective treatment for arthritis symptoms. Adjustments work to restore alignment, and this correction often results in improved flexibility, better range of motion, enhanced joint mobility, and inflammation reduction. It’s important to mention that chiropractic care typically cannot cure arthritis, but it can diminish its devastating effects so that more normal activities can be resumed. Infact, research has indicated that this natural treatment has resulted in an impressive reduction of arthritis pain and stiffness. Furthermore, when used with other therapies like a sound nutrition program, exercise regimen,and appropriate supplements, the improvements can be dramatic!

Arthritis causing you pain? Then schedule an appointment with Healing Hands Chiropractic Care and get on a more comfortable road.

Scoliosis is a deformity characterized by an abnormal curve or curves in the spine.  Sometimes the defect is noticeable, but occasionally it is not visible to the naked eye.  The insidious nature of this potentially debilitating condition is that not only does the backbone curve, but sometimes the spine itself can rotate.  When this occurs, the twisted area becomes asymmetrical.  For example, certain people with thoracic scoliosis have one-sided shoulder blade/rib protrusion while the opposite side pushes inward.

Scoliosis is more prevalent in females and may be an inherited disorder, idiopathic (meaning the cause is unknown), functional (meaning the deformity occurred secondary to another problem in the body), or even the result on illness or injury; most times it is considered idiopathic.  It can be detected at almost any age, but many times it is diagnosed in adolescence.  Measurable growth typically occurs at this stage, so skeletal abnormalities are more likely to become visible.

Treating scoliosis is dependant on different factors.  For example, some people have minor curves that do not cause pain; in this situation, a wait and see approach might be reasonable.  Others have slight to moderate curves that affect their daily lives; in this situation, treatment is warranted.  Regrettably, extreme cases can manifest gross deformities and have the potential to impact internal organs; in this situation, surgery is an option.  Almost all abnormal curves result in some degree of height loss.  Naturally, the greater the curve measurement, the more substantial the loss will be.

Chiropractic care has realized impressive results in addressing scoliosis, particularly in young people.  One such example is of a young man who had a 21 degree curve.  During several months of treatment, his curve corrected and he grew several inches.  A common goal is to stop progression; nonetheless, some patients have achieved complete correction!  Chiropractic care is an effective method in treating a number of scoliosis cases.

How can you tell if a loved one has scoliosis?  X-rays are often the preferred diagnostic tool.  Still, there less sophisticated ways that could help determine if a problem exists. One suggestion is to have the suspected person bend over to touch his/her toes.  If one side of the back appears elevated, then scoliosis might be present.  Other indications are uneven hips, slanted shoulders, and unequal leg lengths.  Early recognition is important in treating abnormal curves; the sooner the problem is addressed, the greater the possibility the condition will not progress to more serious levels.

If you fear a child or family member has scoliosis, make an appointment with Healing Hand Chiropractic Care today.  Our office will conduct a thorough assessment and recommend the most effective therapy for the respective situation.  Naturally, no two cases are exactly alike, but chiropractic treatments have helped certain scoliosis sufferers avoid painful and costly surgery.

Hmm, now that’s something that can help everyone stand taller!

Spinal stenosis is an abnormality characterized by a narrowing in the area between the vertebrae, the canals (areas where nerves branch from the spine), or the spinal region; pain is a classic symptom.  The condition tends to be more common in older people.  Nonetheless, even individuals in their 30’s or 40’s can become affected.  A main reason people over 50 are more susceptible to the condition is because the potential for skeletal degeneration increases as we age.  Arthritis, bone spurs, and thickened spinal tissue may all contribute to spinal stenosis.

Even though people in advanced years are more apt to have this problem, as mentioned earlier, younger individuals can also be afflicted.  When this happens, congenital reasons may be to blame.  For example, some younger sufferers could have had an unusually small spinal column at birth or curves in the spine.  Non-congenital reasons for the condition in people under 50 include injury or disease.

Does spinal stenosis always produce symptoms?  No.  Individuals in the earlier stages may not experience anything troublesome and only discover the condition after tests were run for other reasons.  When symptoms do appear, they usually begin as back and/or limb pain, buttock discomfort, and leg or arm numbness.  Some people with narrowing in the lumbar region may have difficulty controlling their bladder and/or bowels.

How is spinal stenosis diagnosed?  Usually by CAT scan, MRI, or X-rays.

How is it treated?  There are several ways to approach this condition.  Conservative therapies are often preferred.

How can chiropractic care help?  Non-invasive chiropractic treatments have shown impressive results with mild to moderate spinal stenosis.  A combination of stretching and manipulation help to decrease pain and improve flexibility.  In more challenging situations, traction devices may also be used.  Increasing the vertebrae space often results in decreased pressure on the surrounding nerves, thus pain reduction.  Once discomfort is minimized, strategic exercises help maintain the positive changes.  Even Western medicine has recognized the benefits of chiropractic care when attacking spinal stenosis.

So, if you are feeling pain, whether it be due to spinal stenosis or a number of other conditions, schedule an appointment with Healing Hands and start healing!

Nerve stress can lead to a host of problems that compromise wellness.  Illness, injuries (old and new), inadequate diet, disease, and misalignment further complicate the circumstances and can result in distortions that throw multiple systems out of balance.  Unsurprisingly, this type of situation leaves the body vulnerable to substandard performance; even slight imbalances can negatively impact health.   Nonetheless, when the nervous system is optimized, the body functions more efficiently.

The reproductive system, like other systems, can be at risk to inferior operations when spinal nerves are stressed.  For this reason, it is very important for women hoping to become pregnant to address existing problems.  Correcting distortions and restoring stability have proven quite beneficial when addressing infertility.  Naturally, there is no guarantee that chiropractic care will make a woman pregnant.  Even so, chiropractic treatments have consistently realized impressive results.  Multiple studies have indicated that chiropractic care is a suitable therapy when it comes to increasing a woman’s ability to become pregnant.

One reason chiropractic care works?  Vertebral subluxation can be a barrier to pregnancy because reproductive nerves are situated along the spine.  When imbalances are minimized or corrected, systems that had been affected tend to become more proficient.  In sum, adjustments work to overcome distortions.  Some women who have sought out chiropractic care to become pregnant, and even those who have undergone chiropractic treatment for other reasons, have realized greater regularity in their menstrual cycles and enhanced fertility.  Fortunately, chiropractic care is natural and considerably more cost-effective than other types of fertility treatments.  Still, it can be used as an adjunct to other methods, as well.  And, because chiropractic care is mild and non-invasive, it is painless and safe.  As an extra bonus, treatments are sometimes covered by medical insurance.

Thus, if you know someone who is experiencing difficulty becoming pregnant, tell her to schedule an appointment with Healing Hands Chiropractic Care today.  Who knows, she might be bouncing a beautiful little baby on her lap in the not-too-distant future.

Naturally, not every asthma patient will experience all of the same symptoms. In addition, some people have more severe effects from the disease than others. A serious asthma attack could be characterized by prolonged wheezing, chest pain, breathing difficulties, and sometimes, extremity numbness. Asthma attacks, whether believed serious or not, warrant immediate attention.

So what causes asthma? Some experts believe that certain people have an inherited predisposition to the condition. Moreover, environmental triggers, like cigarette smoke and other air pollutants, may also be a cause. Some childhood allergy sufferers go on to develop asthma. However, most do not.

What does chiropractic care have to do with asthma? Well, chiropractors treat asthma patients! First of all, an evaluation of the spine is needed. Misaligned segment of the spine can put pressure on the nerves and may result in abnormal nerve functioning. Chiropractic adjustments tailored to the asthma patient work to restore the alignment of the spine, enhance the nervous system, and increase thoracic cage motion. The effect could be fewer asthma symptoms.

In fact, studies have indicated that chiropractic care has resulted in some asthma relief for an impressive number of patients. However, that is not to suggest that chiropractic care should substitute traditional medicinal therapy, it should not. Asthma patients should continue to see their doctors and take their medication as prescribed. Still, some asthmatics who undergo regular chiropractic treatments realize steady progress and go on to minimize (or even negate) their need for medication (which is always a good thing!). Certainly not everyone reacts in the same, but the outlook is promising.

Can chiropractic treatments help asthma patients? Studies and many patient testimonies suggest they can.

With summer finally here, we aren’t seeing patients in the office with injured backs from shoveling snow or slipping on the ice. Instead, we have seen many golfers with sore backs, hips and wrists. A significant percentage of the 25 million golfers in America suffer with chronic back pain. They tend to increase the usage of aspirin and over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs in an attempt to get some relief. While these drugs can be helpful in the short term, they are known to cause health problems including gastrointestinal ulceration and reduce connective tissue healing. We recommend avoiding long term or over usage.

Healing Hands Chiropractic has a lot to offer golfers including:

• Spinal adjustments to improve mobility and decrease pain.
• Targeted stretch routines to prepare and protect the muscles used as well as improve balance and flexibility.
• Preventative swing advice.
• Recommendations for anti-inflammatory nutritional support like omega 3 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin.

If you are a golfer or know one who is suffering from over-use injuries, please refer them to Healing Hands Chiropractic. This time of year, we want to help the golfer’s improve their swing and wellness to a tee!