Common Chiropractic Complaints
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage cushioning the ends of bones wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced movement in the affected joints. It commonly affects weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and spine and is often associated with aging, injury, genetics, lifestyle, or trauma. Just like plaque builds up on teeth, or rust builds up on metal, our joints wear down. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, and while there is no cure, they can be improved with chiropractic, correct diet, and adjustment of daily activities.
Low Back Pain and Hernia
Low back pain can be caused by many factors, including muscle or ligament strain, poor posture, herniated discs, or spinal abnormalities like scoliosis. In some cases, injuries from accidents or lifting heavy objects improperly can trigger pain, while stress and lifestyle factors, such as sedentary behavior, obesity, or work conditions, can also contribute to the development of low back pain.
We can help you understand the reason why your low back pain continues to return over the years and what you can do to help take control of your health.
Neck and Head Pain
Neck pain is often caused by poor posture or repetitive movements, such as looking down at a phone or sitting at a computer for long periods. After many years of sitting at a desk every day, the muscles in the neck, back, and shoulders become chronically tight. This leads to changes in our posture, creating neck pain and headaches. In some cases, nerve compression or stress can also contribute to discomfort or stiffness in the neck, creating numbness in the arms or hands.
Although headaches vary widely in cause and severity, many instances of headaches can be caused by tension in the neck and back.
We will determine the cause of the pain and teach you how to avoid postures that will irritate your complaints.
Leg Complaints
One of the most common leg complaints in people seeking physical therapy is knee pain, often due to conditions like piriformis syndrome, patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), osteoarthritis, or ligament and meniscus injuries. PFPS, commonly seen in runners and active individuals, causes pain around the kneecap due to muscle imbalances or overuse. Osteoarthritis leads to joint stiffness and pain, especially in older adults. Other frequent issues include iliotibial (IT) band syndrome, hamstring strains, and sciatica, which can cause radiating pain down the leg. Chiropractic focuses on releasing the restrictions on your joints that allow you to strengthen and retrain your muscles to reduce pain and improve function.
Shoulder Pain
The most common non-operative causes of shoulder pain include rotator cuff disorders, impingement syndrome, and adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Rotator cuff tendinitis or tears result from overuse, aging, or poor mechanics, leading to pain with overhead movements. These are very common and can be caused by many activities such as gardening, computer work, or sports.
Impingement syndrome occurs when the rotator cuff tendons become compressed under the bone, causing inflammation and pain. This is most commonly caused by overuse injuries.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves sideways in an "S" or "C" shape instead of being straight. It often develops during childhood or adolescence and can range from mild to severe. In many cases, it doesn’t cause serious problems, but if the curve is large, it can lead to back pain, uneven shoulders or hips, or trouble standing up straight.
Scoliosis increases from birth to puberty, and then slows down dramatically. Chiropractic treatments can help the restrictions caused by scoliosis, relieving pressure on the joints and decreasing muscle tension and pain in the surrounding areas.
