Conditions:
Neck and Low back pain
80% of the population will experience neck or low back pain at some point in their life. There are many structures that help form the anatomy of the spine, such as muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves, or dics. From soreness and stiffness to numbness and tingling all structures can produce distinct pain patterns. It is important to get evaluated by a professional for the proper diagnosis and treatment.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica occurs when a disc or bone puts pressure on the nerve. This can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms in the leg, calf, or foot.
Slipped (Herniated/Bulging) Disc
Discs are the cushions in your spine. When they are damaged, they protrude out past their normal boundaries, putting pressure on the nearby nerves. Discs can be damaged slowly over time, or quickly in traumatic situations, like lifting incorrectly or too heavily, sports injuries, or car wrecks.
Auto Accidents
The impact and forces involved in a motor vehicle collision can cause many different injuries. Even low speed collisions have the power to cause significant injuries, including whiplash, herniated discs, and concussions. Often these injuries can take several days to develop after a collision and it is important that they are properly evaluated.
Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when the neck or back undergoes rapid acceleration and/or deceleration, commonly in car wrecks, falls, and sports injuries. Whiplash causes damage to muscles and ligaments in the affected area, causing pain, spasm, loss of motion, and inflammation that can last for weeks, months, or even years in severe cases.
Headaches
There are many factors that can cause headaches. Some common causes include stress, and muscle spasm originating from the neck, but can also include sinus pressure, migraines, and many other neurological issues. It is important to have headaches evaluated, especially if your headache is new. (Tramadol)
Pinched Nerve
What is commonly called a pinched nerve is when a structure or inflammation is taking up space around a nerve and either physically pressing against it, or only irritating it. This is most common in the spine and large joints like the elbows and wrists and can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the direction the nerve travels.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue as well as muscle spasm and trigger points. Its cause is not fully understood, but its effect on muscles and joints is undeniable as it also causes an increased sensitivity to pain in the body.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a disease that develops in childhood that causes lateral (side to side) bending of the spine. Scoliosis can worsen until someone reaches full maturity. Most scoliosis are treated conservatively to manage the biomechanical issues, loss of motion, and muscle spasm that a mild to moderate curve can cause.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand. This occurs when a nerve in the wrist, the median nerve, is compressed, usually due to overuse of the wrist, or changes to the structures that surround the carpal tunnel.
Pregnancy
As a pregnant woman grows, her center of gravity changes, her core muscles weaken, hormones cause loosening of ligaments, and more pressure is placed on the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joint, and pelvis. This all causes a significant risk for joint pain and nerve irritation during pregnancy.
Stress
Chronic stress or bouts of increased stress is a common cause of muscle and joint pain. This typically occurs due to changes in posture during stressful times or situations that lead to increased muscle spasm and inflammation. Increased stress over time can cause these issues to compound, so it is important to be evaluated if you experience increased pain during stressful periods.
Wellness
Even during times when we are healthy and pain free, our normal activities stress our bodies and joints in different ways. It is common for muscle and joint problems to start small and only become symptomatic when they have been hiding under the surface and intensifying over a period of time. Just like we bring the cars that we drive to the shop for normal maintenance to prevent problems in the future, it is important that we do the same for our bodies as we use them to prevent future muscle and joint pain.