Conditions
Low Back Pain
Low back Pain (LBP), is a common health problem affecting, at some time, more than 80% of the population.
To understand LBP it is fundamental to have a detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the spine, which consists of 33 vertebrae. 24 of these are articulating with each other and other skeletal structures such as the ribs and, 9 are fused together (5 in the sacrum and 4 in the coccyx). There are more than 70 joints in the spinal column alone.
The sacrum further articulates with the ilia (pelvic bones) to form 2 of the most complex joints in the body, also considered the weight-bearing-joints.
LBP may present as: discogenic (originating from a disc disfunction) | sciatic nerve impingement | spondylosys (wear & tear of the spinal joints) | sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
Neck pain may result from muscle tension caused by stress and fatigue. It often leads to headaches and migraine. In addition, muscle tension may add extra pressure on the cervical joints which can also irritate the spinal nerves (brachial plexus) that supply various body parts such as your shoulders, arms and hands. Examples are:
- referred pain (irritation of a nerve in one area lead pain in a remote body part)
- numbness
- pins & needles
- weakness
Chiropractic has been showed to be an extremely effective alternative to conventional medicine such as taking painkillers or visit to the hospital.
The shoulder complex is convoluted and often requires further investigative imaging such as Xray, MRI, MusculoSkeletal Sonography
Neck Pain
Headache
Headaches (HA) is a common condition. It is believed that 1 every 20 people suffer from chronic daily headache.
Stats show that the most common forms of HA are Tension and Cervicogenic Headache, affecting over 60% of men and 80% of women. HA are painful and usually disrupt daily life.
These two types of HAs are defined as pain originating from the cervical structures and perceived by the brain incorrectly. Discomfort from restricted cervical joint, bad posture and hypertonic (tight) cervical muscles are a few examples, i.e. long hours office workers
Dehydration is another major cause of these types of HAs, i.e. hangover.
Painkillers is not a solution. On the contrary, it has been discovered that long term painkillers use is the major cause of a common HA: the rebound headache.
Dizziness is a non-specific term used to describe a sensation of altered orientation in space; its clinical term is “Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo“.
Dizziness is categorized in to several types, i.e. vertigo, disequilibrium, pre-syncope, light-headedness. Briefly explained, it is the in/ability of the brain to synchronize the sense of direction and speed of head movements and positions whilst maintaining balance by the interaction between intricate body systems, such as the visual and skeletal system.
Cervicogenic dizziness has been recognized since the mid-50’s and has been studied extensively since.
Chiropractic treatments have been showed to be successful in treating its causes by mobilizing the cervical joints and deep tissue work on the neck and postural muscles.
Dizziness
Sport Injury
These do not necessarily happen to sporty people nor practicing a particular sport. They are commonly experienced by physically active individuals. For instance, tennis elbow is a condition common to factory workers and shoulder pain is common amongst painters.
However, a categorizations is necessary for a successful treatment plan and, it is dependent on the length of time the injury has been sustained. Acute injuries are sudden while Chronic are a result of overuse.
Whilst minor acute injuries may be treated at home with Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE), other may need a professional’s diagnosis and a specific course of therapy/rehab programme.
Such common injuries include: rotator cuff sprain, bursitis, impingement, tennis/golfer’s elbow, runner’s knee, hamstring strain and more.
By clinical definition, posture is defined as the position of specific muscles and axial bones (such as the pelvis and vertebrae) in relation to each other.
Imbalances in any of these structures will present as postural dysfunction and may lead to conditions such as headache, lower back pain, pelvic tilt and limping.
Observing one’s posture from the back, a fairly straight line should be noted crossing your spine and falling halfway in between the feet; whilst from the side four curves, 2 lordotic and 2 kyphotic, should be emphasized.
Since the thoracic bones articulates with the spine, severe postural dysfunction may also affect your breathing as the space within the rib cage may be reduced.