You know what they say, “Growing old isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative.” But, if the aging process is causing you pain, you know that aging is no joke! As a Santa Barbara chiropractor, when it comes to musculoskeletal challenges, I see too many age-related conditions that probably would not have occurred if the original cause had been treated earlier. Poor posture, improper gait, and repetitive overuse frequently produce needless stress in the back, neck, hip, knees, and even the feet that can result in painful problems over time. If we only aware years ago how our aging body would feel today, eh? However, as they say, “hindsight is 20-20.”
back pain is number one on the list as the most prevalent musculoskeletal problem to develop as we get older. Age-related back pain is generally produced by a degenerative disorder known as Spondylosis (spine osteoarthritis).
Spinal osteoarthritis is caused by advanced deterioration and weight-bearing stress on the spine that, over time, does harm to the discs, joints, and surrounding ligaments. The area of the body and degree of the degenerative process of spondylosis varies from person to person. It may affect the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), or lumbar (low back) areas of the spine. Spondylosis symptoms are individual as well, depending on the severity of degeneration, and can extend from negligible pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy.
Calcium is deposited in the tissues around the vertebrae as the result of repetitive stresses that abnormally affect the cartilage surrounding the joints Adjacent nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissue can be constricted by these calcific deposits, also called bone spurs. This type of compression is at the root of Spondylosis.
Regular chiropractic adjustments and overall chiropractic management is beneficial in significantly slowing age-related degeneration of the spine whether or not you are suffering from spondylosis. Even though “you can’t un-ring a bell” or “turn back the hands of time,” but it isn’t too late to give your spine the good treatment it deserves. Chiropractors are experts when it comes to treatment of the spine. See your Santa Barbara Chiropractor today, for the health of your spine.
I am aware from over twenty years experience as a Chiropractor in Wichita helping individuals suffering from the pain of sciatica that the condition can be extremely incapacitating. Those who suffer from sciatica are sadly all too familiar with the kind of deep pain that frequently radiates through the lower part of their body, persists during the day and interferes with almost all of their daily activities.
Here’s how you can ascertain if your low back pain is generated by sciatica. You are probably experiencing sciatica if your pain radiates from your low back, through one or both sides of your buttocks, down the large sciatic nerve in the back of your leg(s), and possibly penetrates into your knee(s). Moreover, sitting, as well as movement, can be painful. Commonly lying down will lessen, or perhaps even temporarily eliminate the pain. Even so, it’s important for you to be aware that sciatica will not go away without appropriate care.
Radiculopathy
A radiculopathy is a medical term used to describe a condition where a disc has protruded from its natural position in the spine and is creating pressure on the radicular nerve, or nerve root, that forms part of the sciatic nerve in the lower back. This kind of pressure is extremely painful.
Prolonged sitting, particularly in an awkward position, can create imbalances in the muscles enclosing the spine and increased pressure on the intervertebral discs. Usually, a specific event or injury doesn’t cause sciatica, more often sciatica has a tendency to develop over time due to general wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine. After a while the lower spine can lose its normal functioning capabilities during everyday stresses.
Ultimately, the intervertebral disc incurs small fissures or cracks that then allow the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. Pain is generated as the disc pushes on sensitive tissues. This condition is frequently known as a ruptured, or slipped, disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, sciatica is likely to develop. Fortunately, most disc challenges, including sciatica, can be significantly decreased with chiropractic manipulation and management that often includes postural exercises.
Periformis Syndrome
Another condition that creates sciatic pain is periformis syndrome. Periformis syndrome occurs when the periformis muscle, for whatever reason, goes into spasm and irritates the sciatic nerve, is superficial to the nerve Along with chiropractic treatment, this type of sciatica can be significantly relieved by sciatica stretches that your chiropractor can recommend.
If you are experiencing sciatic pain, it is crucial for you to seek chiropractic attention. If you are in the Wichita area, as your Wichita Chiropractor, I look forward to helping you to get out of pain and get your life back!
As a Chiropractor in San Diego, I counsel many individuals who come to my clinic who want to lose weight. I know how hard it can be, and I also know how important it is to lose those extra pounds. Before you let out all the seams in your current wardrobe, there’s something you should know regarding those few extra pounds you may have gained. Over the years, those pounds can add up to a large number of health problems from heart and pulmonary diseases and diabetes to back challenges and joint degeneration. Extra pounds put harmful stress on organs, like the heart, as well as on joints in the low back, hips, and knees. Over half (62%) of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, according to recent studies. That is a very significant number and a truly gigantic national health issue (no pun intended).
It is likely no surprise to you to learn that the human body was not designed to transport additional poundage in the form of body fat. A mere excess of 20 or 30 pounds can veritably overload and even overwhelm the joints and muscles of the body. Extra weight in the belly, for example, requires that the body compensate (counterbalance the weight) by tilting the pelvis forward. This angle creates compression in the joints of the low back. Joint compression impedes nerve activity and causes painful inflammation. The majority of men and women that are overweightexperience low back pain caused by a compressed sciatic nerve or misalignments of the spinal column that constrict nerves as a result of weight-bearing stresses. If not addresses, misaligned vertebra in most cases develop into new arthritic changes in the spine over time, as well as continue to irritate the degenerative changes that have already taken place.
Are you wondering how chiropractic can help? Perhaps, it should go without saying that a healthy body weight is required in order for the musculoskeletal system to function in the way it is designed to. Chiropractic treatment can not only relieve pain caused by excess weight compensation, but it can aid in weight reduction. Here’s how. Chiropractic adjustments relieve nerve compression in the spinal column and help to get movement back into the joints of the musculoskeletal system, particularly in the low back, hips, and knees. And, naturally exercise and physical activity will be a lot easier, and healthier for the body, when the spine is in alignment and the joints have good movement. Not only will exercise help with weight reduction, but it can actually slow the pace of degenerative changes as over the years.
healthcare professionals, like your chiropractor, can advise you regarding your diet and exercise options. In addition to caring for individuals suffering from back pain and joint inflammation, chiropractors offer qualified guidance regarding the particular lifestyle changes that can help an individual to stay healthier, more vital, and more active through the years. It isn’t a foregone conclusion that arthritis and immobility are an unavoidable part of the aging process. The structure of the human body is designed for an entire lifetime of pain-free movement.
So, if those extra pounds have been sneaking up on you, and they’ve turned into a surprising load of pain, as your San Diego chiropractor and someone who understands, I can help. Make an appointment today!