BURSITIS AND TENDINITIS
Bursitis and tendinitis, meaning swelling of the bursa and tendon respectively, present very similar. The bursa is a fluid-filled cushion found in high friction areas between bone and soft tissues, including skin, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. When it becomes inflamed, it presents as pain and sometimes swelling, in the shoulders, elbows, hips, or knees, usually while stretching the joint. This usually leads to a decreased range of motion of the joint, sometimes without any associated pain. Muscle weakness can also occur if the pain is involved. Tendinitis presents as pain at the site of the affected tendon, which can be gradual or sudden and severe and a decreased range of motion.
SPORTS INJURIES
Injuries that occur in sports rival those found in motor vehicle accidents. Impact sports can compromise the spine and its soft tissues without the athlete detecting it. Repetitive motion sports can create microtrauma to the body leading to the eventual breakdown of the body. Restoration of proper alignment and subsequent movement is the best way to prevent the body's breakdown. Creating functional movement patterns is the best preventative care an athlete can take and a major reason why Doctors of Chiropractic are found on almost every professional and Olympic sport's sideline.
OSTEOARTHRITIS/DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease affecting joints of the body. Pain and stiffness occur in the joint after repetitive use and is worse with periods of prolonged inactivity. The pain is usually worse later in the day and can cause swelling, heat, and joints' creaking. When OA becomes severe, there can be a complete loss of cartilage, causing bone-on-bone friction leading to pain and limited range of motion at rest. Frequently, bone spurs develop in these joints as the body's way of protecting itself. OA of weight-bearing joints is exacerbated by obesity, leading to a limp and, eventually, joint replacement surgery if the progression is not halted.
PLANTAR FASCIITIS
Plantar Fasciitis refers to the inflammation and subsequent tightening of the fascia located at the bottom of the foot. Fascia is the covering found over muscles and tendons. Pain is noted at the foot's bottom, usually at the center and/or front of the heel bone. It is usually worse in the morning or when inactive for a substantial amount of time.
TMJ - TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder affects the jaw and the surrounding soft tissues on one or both sides. Although the cause isn't known, several theories suggest injuries to the jaw, teeth grinding, shifting of the joint's disc, arthritis, and jaw clenching are to blame. TMD presents as pain in the face, jaw, neck, shoulders, and/or ears; difficulty opening the mouth wide; a jaw that locks or "clicks" when opened or closed; difficulty chewing; and headaches of unknown origin.
EXTREMITY PAIN
The all-encompassing extremity pain can include frozen shoulder, tingling and numbness, muscle weakness, brachial plexus injuries, sciatica, rheumatism, and sprains and strains, bursitis, decreased range of motion, and arthritis. Every diagnosis is treated on an individual basis and tailored to each patient.
WHIPLASH (CAR OR HORSEBACK RIDING INJURY)
Although not always true, whiplash is fairly synonymous with motor vehicle accidents. It is a neck sprain/strain caused by an abrupt jerking motion from forward to backward. Symptoms often don't present for 24 to 48 hours. Symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sleep disturbances, low back pain, and pain or numbness in the arms and legs. It is important to have images taken to rule out major injuries like fractures. *Although we would love to help with these symptoms, we do not treat Personal Injury cases (including those due to motor vehicle accidents) under current or future litigation in our office.*
NECK, UPPER &/OR LOWER BACK PAIN
Low back pain, or lumbago, and neck pain, or cervicalgia, are all-encompassing terms stemming from any number of causes. Whether it is a strained muscle, sprained ligament, bony deformity, or aberrant joint mechanics, many solutions may be presented.
HEADACHES
There are many different types of headaches, but all present with pain. Here are the different types and their presentation:
Migraines: Present as moderate to severe pain located on one side of the head. Nausea, light/sound sensitivity, visual disturbances, loss of appetite, dizziness, and fatigue are among the symptoms.
Sinus Headaches: Present as pain in the face, associated with nasal congestion, and aggravated by sudden head movements. This deep and constant pain will be felt in the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and forehead.
Tension Headaches: Present as a dull, steady pain that feels band-like around the temple. Chronic fatigue, irritability, disturbed concentration, muscle aching, and headache upon awakening are among the symptoms.
Cluster Headaches: Present as intense unilateral pain described as constant burning, piercing, and throbbing. Often, there is pain behind one eye that usually lasts 30-90 minutes at a time. These headaches occur regularly and can lead to disturbed sleep.
SCOLIOSIS
Scoliosis is a change in the spine's curve leading to a lateral "C" or "S" shape. Many people have a mild version of scoliosis that they never know is present. It typically affects juveniles, and early screening and prevention are of utmost importance in stopping the curve's progression. If symptoms persist, patients report pain, decreased respiratory capacity, and altered biomechanics. Many times, shoulders and hips are different heights, ribs are uneven side-to-side, and arms and head carriage are uneven. If it is allowed to progress, patients report difficulty breathing, trouble walking, numbness/weakness/pain in the legs, and difficulty standing up straight. Chiropractic, rehabilitation exercises, bracing, and possible surgery are among some of the solutions.
HERNIATED OR BULGING DISC
Herniated or bulging discs can present with a myriad of symptoms. Depending on the location, there is usually localized pain in the neck or back, radiating pain into the arms or legs, muscle spasms, and weakness, and/or numbness or tingling. Disc bulges usually occur over time as a result of microtrauma to the annulus fibrosis of the disc. Usually, pain begins when a quick twisting and bending motion is performed as a sort of "straw that broke the camel's back." If proper movement and biomechanics are not restored to the affected joint, the bulge and symptoms usually progress, leading to diminished sensations and muscle wasting.