Car Crash? Whiplash? Dash to the Chiropractor Fast!

Do you have tissue issues and spinal subluxations following a car or motorcycle accident? You’re not alone. According to the American Academic of Orthopedic Surgeons, 15 to 40 percent of car crash victims will struggle with chronic pain for the rest of their lives. A major culprit: whiplash, a condition in which a forceful back-and-forth movement injures the neck.

Whiplash is not a new injury. For many years during the railroad boom, the neck and back pain resulting from railroad crashes was colloquially referred to as “railroad spine.” Though rare at the time, whiplash has become a common cause of chronic pain, as people rely on (fast) automobile transport more than ever before. The faster the crash, the more severe the whiplash.

Do you really need help?

Maybe you were only involved in a fender-bender. Maybe you have never been diagnosed with whiplash, but you still feel a little banged up months or years after the accident. Even if you were never formally diagnosed with whiplash, you may have suffered spinal trauma. At low speeds of ten to fifteen miles per hour, spinal damage can occur.

And whiplash doesn’t just go away. In the longest-running study on whiplash, over half of people diagnosed with whiplash struggled with chronic pain nearly twenty years after initial diagnosis. If not corrected, whiplash can disparage your quality of life.

Beyond the Spine

Spinal misalignment is not the only carryover from a car accident. You may be weighed down by tight muscles and anxiety. After reading the previous two posts, it may not surprise you that these accident-related problems are interconnected.

Your emotions and body positioning at the time of the accident matter. Maybe you had your head tilted talking on the phone when you got into the accident. Maybe you were stressed and tense. Even if you don’t remember what you were doing or how you were feeling, your body does. And until you address this trauma with chiropractic care, you will carry the emotions and the pain with you into the future. The traumatic memory of an accident is seared into your mind and body.

According to Psychopharmacologist Candice Perts, our tissues are storage receptacles for emotion. A misaligned spine and car-crash terror traumatize our tissues. We each have a little-known, thin web of connective tissue that runs from our head to our toes, holding everything in place. This fascia is why we have shape, form, and bodily integrity. When it is healthy, fascia is strong, supple, and hydrated. But car-crash trauma makes it weak, brittle, and dry. In this unhealthy state, it all too easily coils and knots—the painful, obvious indicator of tissue trauma.

If your muscles are tight and your mind is unsettled following an accident, you have tissue issues! Aligning your spine with chiropractic care will jumpstart muscle relaxation, putting you on the path to recovery.

Finding Relief

No conventional treatment is proven effective in the treatment of whiplash. Because the medical community has an incomplete understanding of whiplash-related chronic pain, some doctors prescribe symptom-masking, addictive pain pills. But the frustrating reality is that these provide no long-term remission from the pain. Each year Americans spend around $5.2 billion dollars on whiplash treatment methods, many of which are ineffective.

Chiropractic care and movement-based therapies are evidence-supported, long-term solutions for whiplash because they get to the root of the problem: spinal misalignment and limited range of motion. In one remarkable but small-scale study, 93 percent of patients who had been diagnosed with whiplash improved following chiropractic care. How’s that for effective?

If you or a loved one is still suffering from the devastating effects of a car or motorcycle accident, dash to the chiropractor fast!

Acupuncture and Lower Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common problems that people generally face on account of long-term sitting or frequent bending of the spine to pull heavy loads. Many people got frustrated and discouraged in the past seeking treatment for their lower back pain because symptoms can persist even after prolonged medication.

Acupuncture offers an alternative way to successfully heal problems of lower back pain and is often recommended to patients by their medical doctor or doctor of chiropractic.

Causes of Back Pain

Thousands of people every year suffer lower back pain. It is considered as the second most common reason people in the US go to see a doctor. Low back pain generally affects the spine's flexibility, strength and stability, which may become a reason for your back-pain, stiffness and discomfort.

There are several reasons behind why people suffer from back pain. Let's read a few of them.

• Growing older – Back pain can start at any age. Symptoms may worsen from 40 to 50 years-age.
• Physical activity– Physical activities such as pulling, bending, reaching or sitting in a bad position can lead to worsening of symptoms.
• Overweight – Being overweight is a common causes of back and disc problems.
• Chronic illness – A chronic illness such as arthritis, or cancer can also be a cause of the problem.
• Muscle imbalances or weaknesses are responsible for numerous cases of back pain. Sitting or standing for long hours can increase these imbalances causing increased pain.

Acupuncture as a treatment for back pain

Acupuncture began in China nearly 2,500 years ago. Traditional Chinese medicine states that there are around 2,000 points in a human body which are connected by pathways or meridians, responsible for creating the flow of energy, also known as Qi (or Chee). Stimulating these points through inserting thin needles helps balance Qi and improve the flow of energy. Acupuncturist restore a constant flow of energy throughout the body relieving long term pain and improving overall health.

Acupuncture works by -

1. Balancing signaling and energy flow of the nervous system

2. Allowing transmission of pain-killing chemicals such as endorphins.

3. Speeding the release of natural opioids (chemicals in the brain that are believed to promote pain relief and sleep).

4. Improving the brain chemistry by transforming the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones.

If you have back pain and need treatment, doctors at South OC Chiropractic can help. Call + 1 (949) 470-4757 to get in touch and start receiving the care that you need to heal your back pain.

Chiropractic Is Modern Day Healthcare

Chiropractic is the combination of science and art focusing on healing the body from the inside out. Chiropractic restores the natural healing abilities of the body by focusing on the nervous system which controls every aspect and function in our body. In a society where our current medical care system focuses on the symptomatology of illness rather than addressing the underlying cause of the problem many patients are confused as to which type of treatment will lead to the greatest long term results for their condition. Prescription medications focus on healing the body from the outside in, leaving the underlying cause of the problem remaining because only symptoms were addressed. There are zero people in the world who suffer from headaches due to a lack of Advil in their blood stream, yet people continue to medicate the symptoms without ever understanding why the problem exists. Thus, many times medications provide a short term solution but that can come riddled with side effects and leave a long-term problem to get worse. Doctors of Chiropractic analyze and test for the underlying cause of disease or ailments and use gentle chiropractic adjustments and proper nutrition to achieve the best results possible. In fact, certain techniques of chiropractic care such as bone setting and spinal manipulation have long been used since ancient Egypt. In our modern day healthcare system chiropractic has emerged to be the #1 used complimentary and alternative medicine in America.   

Since 1895 chiropractic care has been used to detect and correct subluxations helping patients with everything from back pain to hearing loss. In todays healthcare system chiropractic treatments helps migraines, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, herniated or bulging discs and numerous other ailments. At South Orange County Chiropractic we also have a doctor of physical therapy and acupuncture with many massage therapists on staff to provide patients with the best treatment possible allowing them to achieve their healthiest body in an all natural way.    

Who is recommended for treatment?

Chiropractic treatment is not only a great way to relieve symptoms of pain and immobility after injury but it is also the perfect addition to your healthcare routine to ensure proper functioning of your nervous system. Treatment can be offered to anyone from infants to adults. In fact majority of Americans can benefit from visiting a chiropractor to have their spine checked for subluxations or spinal misalignments. Chiropractors are trained to analyze and detect these misalignments of a person's joints and by adjusting them back into place it restores structural integrity and proper function to prevent future problems or arthritis.     

What do chiropractors look for?   

Doctors of Chiropractic are licensed healthcare professionals specialized in providing care for problems related to your spine and nervous system. They locate bio-mechanical pathologies causing neurological compromise, also known as subluxations, which cause decreased neurological signaling between your brain and the rest of your body. These dysfunctions or subluxations are often caused due to poor posture, stress, chemical imbalances, trauma such as a car accident or poor lifestyle choices. In a modern world there are numerous causes of subluxations and chiropractors are the only healthcare professional trained to properly analyze and correct this problem.

How can a chiropractor help?   

Patients undergoing chiropractic care can have the following benefits -   

Improved mobility of joints
Improved posture
Fewer injuries
Less pain
Elimination of Sciatica
Improved balance
Decreased numbness and tingling
Improved athletic performance
Fewer migraines
Decreased Scoliosis
Less Arthritis pain, etc.

Is Chiropractic care equally beneficial for kids?

Yes, kids can be equally benefitted from chiropractic care. In fact, many problems adults face can be prevented if detected early enough. Many spinal problems start young and can grow over time. Thus, getting your kids checked by a chiropractor can help keep them healthy throughout all stages of their growth and development. 

Parents often notice the following benefits after seeking chiropractic care for their kids:

Increased athletic performance
Decreased chance of injury
Improved bed wetting
Stronger immune system
Improved digestion
Decreased ADHD symptoms
Improved skin conditions
Fewer ear infections, etc. 

Conclusion

Chiropractic is a gentle and effective way to heal numerous problems of the human body naturally. This in many cases makes it a superior option over other healthcare modalities available that can put dangerous chemicals into the body not always providing optimal results. If you are looking for a treatment that is effective, natural and affordable Chiropractic care is the best option for you. Call 949-470-4757 for more information.

Causes of Neck Pain and How To Get Rid of It

Neck pain can range from bothersome and annoying to outright debilitating. It can generally happen due to poor posture, repetitive movement, accidents, slip and fall, or degeneration of the spine. Our neck, also known as cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and is comprised of seven small vertebrae that protect the delicate structures of your spinal cord and nervous system. The cervical spine is one of the most flexible components of your body, which makes it highly susceptible to injuries because it lacks stability which can make it vulnerable to trauma. Let's take a look at some of the common causes of neck pain.

1. Accidents – Accidents are one of the most common causes of neck pain. The head can move suddenly in one direction and then “rebound” in the other direction as in car accidents which can cause inflammation and injury to the tissues. The sudden movement of the head injures the supporting tissues of the neck and head such as the discs, ligaments, muscles and intervertebral discs may get injured. If pain travels down into the shoulders or arms it might be radicular pain which can be caused by a disc bulge or herniation which may require MRI for further evaluation of the pathology associated with the injury.

2. Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is a harmful condition which causes progressive impairment of cartilage. The body starts to form bone spurs that further destabilize the joint motion causing pain and inflammation from normally activities of daily living. Arthritis is a progressive condition which is why proper treatment and preventative techniques are essential to maintaining proper joint health and stability.

3. Subluxation– Your nervous system controls every aspect of your body. It is like the master computer system that controls every aspect from your sleep cycle to digestion. Your spine protects the delicate nerves that send signals to and from the brain. Thus when a subluxation occurs, which is a misalignment of the spine with neurological and bio-mechanical compromise, it can cause symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, etc. because the misalignment can cause abnormal irritation and inflammation of the nerves and joints of the spine. Chiropractors are your best option to address subluxations because they can detect and correct these spinal misalignment by analyzing the spine through palpation or X-ray making sure to correct these problems preventing further injury to the joint and tissues.

4. Spinal stenosis – Spinal stenosis is the abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal that restricts the spinal canal, resulting in a neurological deficit. A person undergoing this condition may suffer numbness, pain and paraesthesia (an abnormal sensation such as tickling, tingling, numbness or burning of a person's skin with no apparent cause). If spinal stenosis becomes severe enough it may require surgery. This is why early symptoms of stenosis should be addressed with chiropractic, physical therapy, massage and proper medical intervention to avoid worsening of the symptoms.

5. Posture– Sitting for prolonged hours in the same position, weak core or abdominal muscles can also affect your neck. Poor posture generally leads to chronic neck pain with symptoms extending to other areas of the body such as the top of the shoulders or mid-back. New research has also come out which has called, "Sitting is the new smoking." What is meant by this term is that sitting has now become the number 1 cause of preventable illness in the US. This used to be smoking but due to a more sedentary lifestyle we are seeing sitting lead to problems such as obesity, diabetes, neck and back pain, hypertension, headaches, etc all because the body is not built to sit for prolonged periods such as many of your occupations require. The most startling finding from this research is that going to the gym or exercising after work does not completely reverse the negative effects of prolonged sitting. It is still beneficial to exercise frequently but prolonged sitting can cause irreversible damage to your health. This is why we have seen such an increase standing desks which are much more affordable and recommended by many chiropractors around the nation.

How to treat chronic conditions of neck pain?

Considering mediations and injections only mask the pain leaving the cause to return and possibly worsen overtime the best option is to address the root cause of the problem. The best 3 options for this are:

1. Chiropractic
2. Physical Therapy
3. Massage

A chiropractor can adjust the spine depending upon your condition to align the joints of the spine reducing irritation and inflammation to the tissues. A neck adjustment (also called cervical manipulation) is a gentle procedure of realigning the spine to reduce neurological irritation. This can be done by hand or machine such as the activator. The procedure improves the mobility of the joints, reduces pain and soreness and helps increase the movement of adjoining muscles.

Physical therapy can provide specific exercises or stretches to correct muscle imbalances or corrupted muscle firing patterns helping to prevent future flare-ups and problems.

Massage can help to decrease muscle pain and stiffness allowing increased blood flow for healing and mobility to make patients feel more relaxed and get back to living life pain free.

Acupuncture can restore proper neurological function and energy or "Chi" to help reduce pain and restore function. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been around for over 3000 years helping people with all types of conditions ranging from fertility treatments to back pain.

Typically at South Orange County Chiropractic your treatment will consist of a custom tailored program consisting of these 4 treatments to get you feeling your best and back to living life free to pain.

Patients who utilize these treatments have noticed significant improvements in their pain but also in their overall quality of life. The complete rehabilitation treatment plan may comprise of a combination of several techniques such as physical therapy, massage, acupuncture and chiropractic care because everyone is different which is why your doctor will evaluate your condition to determine the best custom treatment protocols for your problem. For more info, feel free to call us at + 1 (949) 470-4757