How Often Should You Visit A Chiropractor
Chiropractic care may not be completed in only one visit. It is a progression, so you may have to visit the chiropractor once or twice a week at first. When your condition is acute, the visit could be as frequent as every day. As your condition improves, the chiropractor will give you things to do on your own at home, such as using an ice pack, exercises to strengthen the muscles so you will only have to see him once in a while. Depending on your condition, you may have to come back after some time or never again, unless you have a new problem.
Things That Can Be Treated By A Chiropractor
When Can A Chiropractor Help With Back Pain
People often want to try the kind of conservative approaches that chiropractors provide first. In fact, this is what many clinical care guidelines recommend. So before trying treatments like injections or surgery for back pain, they may want to consider things like chiropractic care, physical therapy, or acupuncture. Much of the time, back pain resolves with those kinds of treatments.
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You Injure Yourself Or Have An Accident
Sometimes when you get hurt, you think its not that bad and you deal with the pain. But sometimes, even a little pain is a sign you need to see a professional to get you back on track.
If you have a car accident, go to a chiropractor. An injury could worsen over time and then the chiropractor will have something closer to a baseline to work with. Or the chiropractor will be able to spot an injury that hasnt reared its painful head yet.
If youve had a fall and your upper back hurts after a week or intensely right away, go to the chiropractor.
If youve had a sports injury, go to the chiropractor. Even if youre seeing an orthopedic doctor, physical therapist or another professional, a chiropractor can help with other issues that may crop up. You may overcompensate on one side, for example, due to an injury that can affect your spine.
How Our Poor Posture Treatment Works
The first step in correcting poor posture is to identify the root cause of the problem. For many people, this will mean making some lifestyle changes . However, long-term postural defects often require a more targeted intervention. At our office, our expert chiropractor, Dr. Bello, combines targeted chiropractic adjustments with corrective exercises to treat postural defects.
Once we have identified the upper cervical misalignment contributing to your postural issues, Dr. Bello will use specialized diagnostics, including digital X-rays and cone-beam computed tomography scans, to pinpoint the exact angle and location of the misaligned vertebra. Dr. Bello will then proceed with a series of gentle, non-invasive chiropractic adjustments to restore proper alignment in the upper cervical spine. This will not only improve your posture, but will also help you to prevent further injuries by reducing the stress on the spinal discs, muscles, and joints of the neck and back.
If youre looking for a natural treatment for poor posture, were here to help! We provide upper cervical chiropractic care to patients across the Greater Los Angeles Area.
We Offer a Free Exam and Consultation for New Patients
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How Can Chiropractic Care Help Those With Upper Back Pain
Chiropractic care can be a great way to manage and relieve swelling and pain caused by upper back pain. Routine chiropractic care provides patients with upper back pain treatment that’s a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to prescription medications or over-the-counter pain medications , which are commonly prescribed to patients to help them manage their pain and swelling.
Chiropractors deliver a gentle, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy, known as a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body in an effort to reduce inflammation and improve function of both the affected joint and nervous system. By increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function and spinal health, your body has the ability to better manage symptoms caused by upper back pain.
Below are some of the health benefits chiropractic care and chiropractic adjustments can provide patients with upper back pain:
- Reduced pain and discomfort
- Improved flexibility
- Increased muscle tone and strength
To find a local chiropractor and to learn more about how chiropractic care can help those suffering from upper back pain, contact or visit one of our chiropractic offices today, to speak with a licensed doctor of chiropractic.
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Hobby And Sleep Considerations
Working to get the most out of your care means communicating with your chiropractic physician on matters that will not be directly visible from his or her office. Hobbies and repetitive daily tasks may need to be eliminated for a time while healing. Be specific when speaking with your chiropractic physician on how pain is experienced.
Sleep positions can play a role in the bodys efficiency to heal from shoulder pain. Adaptations to positions for sleeping may be necessary for a short time to promote healing. Check with your physician for sleep positions that may benefit your injury or ailment the most as you heal. In the process, be sure to inquire if your current sleep position may be contributing to the cause of your pain.
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Chiropractic Treatments For Neck Pain
Your chiropractor may use a combination of spinal manipulation, manual therapy, and other techniques as part of your treatment plan for neck pain.
Below are some spinal manipulation techniques your chiropractor may use.
- Flexion-distraction technique is a gentle, hands-on spinal manipulation that involves a pumping action on the intervertebral disc instead of direct force.
- Instrument-assisted manipulation uses a hand-held instrument to allow your chiropractor to apply force without thrusting into the spine.
- Specific spinal manipulation helps restore joint movement using a gentle thrusting technique.
Your chiropractor may also use manual therapies to treat your neck pain.
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy uses special instruments to diagnose and treat muscle tension.
- Manual joint stretching and resistance techniques can help reduce neck pain and other symptoms.
- Therapeutic massage can help relax tense muscles.
- Trigger point therapy is used to relieve tight, painful points on a muscle.
Other therapies may also be used to ease neck pain symptoms.
- Inferential electrical stimulation uses a low frequency electrical current to stimulate neck muscles.
- Ultrasound sends sound waves into your muscle tissues to help stiffness and pain in your neck.
Therapeutic exercises may also be recommendedthese can help improve overall range of motion in your neck and prevent neck pain from progressing.
Signs And Symptoms Of Poor Posture
Postural defects can usually be identified visually in the form of a slouched, stooped, or rounded neck and/or shoulders. Left untreated, poor posture can contribute to a range of additional health conditions, such as headaches, backaches, and lower back pain. In severe cases, poor posture can become a debilitating source of chronic pain, causing vertebrae compression, arthritis, and herniated discs.
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Upper Back Pain Treatment
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Upper back pain or thoracic spine pain can be debilitating. The upper back is a stiff region because it is supported by the rib cage. This stiffness is often worsened byhunched posture which is common among frequent computer users. The ribs hook into the vertebra in the upper back. These costovertebral joints can become stiff, swollen andpainful. Upper back pain can be a burning sensation between the shoulder blades, a dull ache that worsens throughout the day or local sharp pain.
Upper back pain that slowly worsens throughout the day is usually linked to poor posture. Excessive computer, tablet and smart phone use can cause upper crossed syndrome. Thispostural distortion, also called anterior head carriage or forward head posture, is characterized by a hunchback forward head and forward rolled shoulders. There may be a geneticcomponent to upper crossed syndrome as it is often observed among family members. Forward head posture is also caused by weight lifting. Over training the muscles in the frontof the torso and arms can also cause gym posture, or upper crossed syndrome. Treatment for upper back pain caused by poor posture involves restoring thoracic extension throughchiropractic adjustments and corrective exercises to balance muscles.
How To Treat The Upper Back Pain
Muscle strain and tension can lead to pain and a slight dislocation of the vertebrae, which puts pressure on the nerve. Anti-inflammatory pain medicines can help relieve the pain, but it does not address the underlying cause. The absence of pain does not mean it is already healed, and when not treating the underlying condition, the pain will become chronic increasing the chance of injury.
One of the best ways to address the upper back pain is with chiropractic care. The treatment involves making adjustments on your vertebrae, realigning it based on your needs to relieve pain. You will notice that the adjustment alleviates the pain, as it reduces joint restrictions and misalignment in the spine, reduce pain and swelling. In turn, the inflammation decreases, and the function of affected joints and nervous system improves. Aside from decreasing inflammation, pain and discomfort, chiropractic care also improves your range of motion, flexibility, improve blood flow, reduce numbness or tingling and muscle tone and strength.
You may also receive suggested changes in your diet and exercise from the chiropractor. Depending on your condition, chiropractic care may also involve massage therapy, physical therapy, and primary care from a physician.
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Chiropractic Goals And Possible Effects
Should patients feel more pain in your back after receiving chiropractic care? When it comes to the spine, and back specifically, the goal of a successful chiropractic session is to eradicate inflammation and reduce overall pain.
The areas of relief mainly focus on joints, ligaments, and muscles.
The intention is to achieve this well-being through the use of:
- Massaging
- Electrical stimulation
- Spinal manipulation
Its important to note that common side effects of chiropractic adjustments are tiredness, minor headaches, and slight discomfort in adjusted locations.
Your body may be used to being out of alignment. So, when your spine is back in alignment, it will take some getting used to, which may cause you to feel sore.
So what else has occurred to hinder the success of your chiropractic visit and leave you in a significant amount of pain?
Causes Of Upper Back Pain
Poor posture is one of the most common causes of upper back pain. By not using your muscles correctly, it is possible to decondition the muscles over time. This can come from something as simple as sitting at a desk with incorrect posture for a long period of time. When sitting in a chair, slouching can cause muscles to lose their strength. Pain is typically a result as those muscles begin to weaken.
Overuse of muscles is another common cause of upper back pain. This can be a result of muscle strain, irritation, and tightness. For example, a person may begin to experience tightness, strain, or muscle irritation if he uses the same motion all day or lifts things above his head the entire day.
Traumatic injuries caused by events like car accidents, incorrect lifting, working out too hard, slips and falls, and work-related accidents can lead to upper back pain. Sometimes the pain follows immediately following the incident, while other times it develops later on or the next day.
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Upper Back Shoulders And Neck Pain Chiropractic Care Can Help
A combination of factors generally will lead to neck and upper back pain:
- Injury
- Stress
- Disc issues
The neck, in particular, is very susceptible to injury due to the fact that its like a stick with a bunch of rubber bands holding a 15 pound bowling ball on top. It doesnt take a lot of unexpected movement to overstretch or hyperextend the muscles and vertebrae in the neck and upper back.
With the spinal cord running down through the neck and upper back, any slight injury can cause pain that might even show up in the arms. Symptoms could include:
- Numbness
- Aching
- Pins and Needles
Sometimes, the symptoms can be confused with carpal tunnel syndrome. Neck issues can lead to headaches and muscle spasms in the shoulders and upper back. Even ringing in the ears and otitis media, along with TMGJ , restricted movement and tightness in the neck and shoulders.
The muscle groups on the neck are attached to the shoulder area, therefore, when one is out of alignment, the other likely is also.
Causes of Neck and Upper Back Pain
Injuries
Whiplash is the most common injury to the neck and upper back. Its caused by an unexpected, and sudden movement of the head in any direction. It results in damage to the muscles, ligaments, and other connective tissues.
Forward head posture, as with sitting in front of a computer all day long, is also a condition that needs to be addressed regularly. Subluxations, as with computer use will only get worse over time, if not kept in check.
Poor Posture
Stress
Common Types Of Shoulder Pain
The shoulder joint is subject to many types of injury and is home to various bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles that must intricately work together. Injuries to this area can originate from many sources. Direct trauma, dislocation, laceration, and overuse and repetitive motion activities are only a few causes of injury that patients may encounter.
The cause of pain plays a significant role in how shoulder pain develops, also affecting the type of pain that may be manifested in the joint. The cause of pain must be determined in order to begin to effectively eliminate the type of pain present. A few of the underlying causes of shoulder pain include:
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Arthritic
- Fractured bone
- Dislocation
- Damage to the rotator cuff
Seeking professional information regarding the cause of shoulder pain is important for deciphering which type of pain will need to be considered for treatment. A few types of shoulder pain include:
- Shoulder Blade Pain
- Pain Under the Shoulder Blades
- Sharp Pain in the Shoulder when Breathing
- Pain Directly in the Shoulder Joint
- Lateral/Bilateral Shoulder Pain
What is the rotator cuff anyway? The socket of the shoulder is rather shallow and requires muscles and tendons to help keep the upper arm bone in place. The tendons and muscles that surround this joint and its shallow socket are sometimes referred to as the rotator cuff.
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How Chiropractic Care Relieves Shoulder Pain
Are you popping pain relievers for your shoulder pain? Stop. Seek help and visit your chiropractor to identify the cause of your pain for corrective chiropractic treatment. Although taking medicines can give you immediate pain relief, it does not address the cause of pain. It should not be a surprise if you will still feel the pain after the medication wears off. Instead of relying on painkillers, visit your chiropractor or book an appointment for your corrective treatment. It would ensure that the cause of the pain was identified and corrected to prevent the pain from coming back. But how does chiropractic work?
Essentially, chiropractic treatment is manipulating the musculoskeletal system and not just addressing the pain on your shoulder. It means that your joints, cartilage, bones, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissues are getting attention and care. Hence, taking medications can relieve pain, but the stress or injury in your musculoskeletal system is still present, which can even cause you pain. With this, chiropractic treatment ensures that your body and musculoskeletal system are cared for by locating the discomfort’s source, especially your shoulders’ discomfort.
How do chiropractors relieve the pain and adjust your shoulder?
But you may ask, “What are the common shoulder problems that cause pain?” The typical problems that cause shoulder pain are tendonitis, strains, bursitis, shoulder dislocation, sprains, rotator cuff injury, and frozen shoulder.
Possible Reduction Of Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis pain is caused by the degeneration of the cartilage in a joint that causes the ends of your bones to rub together. Some types of chiropractic adjustments may help align your joints and reduce how much your bones rub together.
There hasnt been a lot of research on the benefits of chiropractic manipulation for osteoarthritis. However, a found some evidence that chiropractic manipulation may help slow down the progression of arthritis by improving the status of cartilage, bone, and the joint capsule.
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Can A Chiropractor Treat Shoulder Bursitis
Can a chiropractor help with bursitis of the shoulder? Yes, they certainly can! Bursitis is a painful inflammation of the bursa sac that can take months to heal and even then, scar tissue can make this condition chronic and continue to be painful for years afterward if not treated promptly.
Ultrasound has been shown to lower inflammation, along with chiropractic massage therapy, which not only reduces pain but helps to break down scar tissue. Once inflammation is under control, chiropractic manipulation of the joint alleviates the pressure and friction over the affected bursa area. One study found that even a month after treatment, subjects who received chiropractic care and ultrasound had no pain and had returned to their normal activities.
Sometimes, your chiropractor might also suggest the use of herbal anti-inflammatories to help reduce inflammation more quickly. Bursitis, like tendonitis, tends to reoccur, making regular chiropractic care a vital part of your ongoing health care regimen.
