Posts Tagged ‘ventura chiropractor’
Chiropractic Therapy Reduces Carpal Tunnel Pain!
Introduction
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most prevalent nerve entrapment disorder. As the term “nerve entrapment” suggests, these disorders present when a nerve is trapped or compressed between body tissues creating inflammation and impairment of the nerve.
Anatomy
The carpal tunnel is positioned in the underside of the wrist and is a passageway in which the median nerve travels through on its way to innervate the hand and fingers. In addition to the median nerve, the carpal tunnel is comprised of the nine tendons of the forearm muscles that are responsible for bending and flexing of the fingers and thumb. Also within the tunnel are arteries and lymphatic vessels that provide circulation to the hand. Wrist bones form the bottom and sides of the tunnel, while the top is shaped by the transverse carpal ligament, a robust band of connective tissue. The carpal tunnel is an intensely-packed space about the size of an index finger. The flexor tendons, arteries and median nerve are intended to glide without friction past each other during wrist and finger movement.
If the size of the tendon enlarges due to irritation or overuse, or if the carpal tunnel size dimenishes due to a mechanical dysfunction of the carpal bones, the median nerve can become compressed or entrapped by the carpal tunnel. The early symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome as a general rule include pain, numbness, paraesthesia (pins and needles) and tingling in the fingers and hands especially the thumb and adjacent two fingers. The symptoms are markedly apparent at night, often awakening the sufferer from sleep and making it necessary for the person to “shake out” or rub the hands in an attempt to relieve the unpleasant sensations. The hands can also feel awkward, weak and fatigue easily with activity. Eventually, gripping small objects using the thumb and fingers can be gravely affected and, without treatment, can result in complete debilitation of the hand.
The following are generic causes and corresponding conditions:
- repetitive and forceful grasping with the hands
- prolonged computer usage especially with poor wrist position
- activities that require repetitive bending of the wrist
- broken or dislocated bones in the wrist which produce swelling
- arthritis, especially the rheumatoid type
- thyroid gland imbalance
- sugar diabetes
- hormonal changes associated with menopause or pregnancy
Though any of the causes and conditions listed can be partly responsible for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, often the actual root cannot be found. Nevertheless, those who work with equipment that vibrates and/or perform their jobs in extreme temperatures often develop carpal tunnel symptoms. In addition, repetitive housework as seemingly inconsequential as wringing clothes by hand, can bring on carpal tunnel symptoms. However, the continuing increase in computer use is the most compelling explanation for the number of individuals who are suffering with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome today. The repetitive motions of typing on the keyboard and moving the mouse over extended periods of time is a primary indicator for many people with CTS.
Treatment
Proper diagnosis and management of this condition is essential in order to curtail the disabling symptoms associated with the advancement of CTS. Your Ventura Chiropractor has many years of experience in this area. Chiropractors are equipped to deal with this problem and can offer many sufferers with relief. In addition to chiropractic adjustments of the wrist joints, treatment by chiropractor may include inflammation reduction therapy such as ultrasound or low level laser. Electromusclestim can often help to strengthen the weak muscles of the forearm and soft tissue massage is effective in stretching contracted tissues. Your chiropractor may suggest that you wear a splint or support, particularly at night, to help hold the wrist in a neutral position to decompress the carpal tunnel. Your Ventura Chiropractor will also give you specific exercises to stretch and/or strengthen muscles of the forearm and hand.
Back Pain- Anatomy of the Lower Back- Part 1
Lower back pain is the leading cause of workplace absentness in America. With more and more people becoming less and less productive because of back related problems, lets take an deeper look into the anatomy of the lower back and how lower back pain can be avoided.
The lumbar spine or lower back is an important part of the body. This flexible lower portion of the spinal column is what supports the core of your body and connects the foundation, being your lower extremities to this core. It is easy to see how pain could be associated in this area of the body. The lower back is connected to the bodies largest muscles from the upper and lower sections and it is this responsibility that leads to pain. The human spine is made up of bony blocks called vertebra, these are tough, chunky bones. In fact the parts of your spine you can see from behind when you look in the mirror are the bony parts at the back of the vertebra, these are called the spinous processes. The vertebra also has bony projections to the sides and these are called transverse processes, you can’t see these yourself but your Ventura chiropractor can feel them. The vertebra are separated from one another by big, shock absorbing spinal discs. Each vertebra overlaps the one below at the back to form joints, one on each side. These joints are called facet joints. Facet joints are the links in the chain, they are the key to movement in the human spine and to many types of world ending back pain too.
Ventura Back Pain Sufferers get hope with Chiropractic
Ventura back pain is a problem. Ventura chiropractors and back pain specialists, will even admit that there seems to be no escape from back pain. Most people in their life will experience some form of back pain. People suffer from low back pain, upper back pain, left back pain, right back pain, back hip pain, back and hip pain, sciatic back pain, kidney pain, early pregnancy back pain, etc. The list is long, disheartening and expensive. Its said that Americans spend $50 billion dollars a year correcting their plaguing back pain problems. Back pain causes vary greatly and are very much so case by case. People experience back pain from standing all day at work, sitting all day at work, lifting too much or being too inactive. High levels of stress and and smoking can increase pain in lower back sections of the spine. Back pain is not the end of the world and can be corrected. Fixing one’s back pain takes time, peace of mind and most importantly commitment. The best low back pain treatment and possibly the best back pain treatment of all is simply using proper posture techniques every day of one’s life. This is a decision and lifestyle change that is easy to learn and proven to work. People tend to believe that only back pain exercises can cure to their insane back pain. According to some Ventura chiropractic doctors, simply sitting properly or lifting properly can make a world of difference over time. Even sciatica treatment, a more serious condition, some doctors suggest proper posture and staying active may be more beneficial than bed rest. A healthy spine and back leads to a better attitude with more success in the work place. If one experiences back pain, it is important to take it upon oneself to treat the problem early. Realizing how important taking care of one’s back is is the first step, once one achieves this and commits oneself to fixing the problem a long happy productive future is in store. Suffer no more, there is hope.