Does it Hurt to Get Adjusted

Not too long ago sports injuries were usually limited to professional athletes, boys participating in school sports programs, and the occasional male “weekend warrior. Today, men and women of all ages participate in regular sports and fitness activities. The vast majority of both sexes play golf, tennis, basketball, and/or participate in aerobic activities like running. No matter what the activity, however, there is always the risk of injury.

Nearly all of injuries generally fit into two categories: 1) traumatic injury, such as a slip, fall, or collision and, 2) repetitive stress or overuse injury.

Traumatic Injuries

As the name implies, this kind of injury causes the type of incapacitation and debilitation most frequently associated with trauma. Most traumatic injuries are to the ligaments, the tissue that connects bone to bone, and to body muscles, although fractures and dislocations do take place at times, in particular with contact sports. A strain is any injury to either a muscle or its tendon, and a sprain is damage to ligaments.  Sprains and strains most frequently occur in the ankles, knees, and shoulders, and not as commonly in the low back and neck. Because the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves can be affected, injury to the neck and low back can be quite serious.

Traumatic injuries can extend from a mild “muscle pull” or ankle twist to a serious problem needing surgery. It is contingent upon the amount of tearing of the tissues, the area of the body, and the age of the person. Some degree of swelling occurs with almost all sprains and strains. However, with certain injuries, especially those of the ankle and knee, there can be some internal bleeding as well. With all strains and sprains competent management is very important, particularly during the initial stages of the injury to insure correct healing and avoid future disability. Therapy from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly advisable.

Listed below is an acronym for the post-injury management of sprains and strains specifically if no professional aid is available: PRICE
P    Protect injury to avoid more damage
R    Rest the damaged body region
I     Ice injury to diminish swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C    Compress injury with a specifically designed or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E    Elevate the injury, particularly when the damage is to ankles and knees

As formerly mentioned, proper evaluation and care are essential to a thorough recovery. A chiropractor can find out the extent of your injury and start needed recovery treatment. When knowledgeable treatment is supplied during the various stages of healing, nearly all individuals who have suffered sprain and strain injuries will recover. If not treated carefully, some sprains and strains can result in long-lasting problems such as joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. Expert care of your sports injury by a chiropractor with years of experience in sports injury management will insure that your injury recovers properly. If you have sustained a traumatic injury, call your Santa Barbara chiropractor.

Repetitive Stress, or Overuse, Injuries

These injuries are becoming more and more common, expressly among individuals involved in sports such as golf, tennis, bowling, and any other activity that requires the same motion over and over (repetitively). An action as uncomplex and healthy as running, particularly on a treadmill, can also be a factor.

Essentially, overuse or repetitive stress injuries happen when a person is occupied in a repetitious activity that causes a very small strain to tissues, expressly tendons and muscles, that by itself would not generate a problem, but performed many times has an accumulative effect.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common kinds of overuse injuries. Over time the muscle or other affected tissue undergoes changes that no longer let it to function correctly, resulting in pain, stiffness and disability. Definite factors predispose a person to these kinds of injury. A portion are “intrinsic,” i.e., the factor is found within a person’s own body. Other factors are “extrinsic,” which is to say that the factors are external and can frequently be changed or controlled by the individual.

Some of the most prevalent intrinsic factors for injury

Age is the mostcommon intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that person to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. There are those who are born with joint or muscle problems. And, finally, previous injuries are a factor as they frequently prevent the joints or muscles from functioning properly.

Extrinsic factors for injury

Extrinsic factors are numerous.  For instance, sports equipment can insufficient–an inappropriate grip size of tennis racket or worn-out running shoes are prime examples, even a playing surface can be a factor, e.g., a too-hard surface for soccer or an uneven treadmill. Incorrect technique in any sport, such as an unsuitable golf grip is, as they say, an injury waiting to happen A further factor is poor conditioning. Some individuals are injured because they aren’t in shape. Elevated frequency or extended duration of an activity, without developing slowly, can create the conditions for injury. Insufficient flexibility can cause injury if someone is too stiff to do an activity correctly. Lack of warm-up, like stretching and properly preparation, is a frequent factor in injuries.  And, finally, and maybe surprising to some, stress is a factor. Being tired or stressed can create tense, inflexible muscles that are too tight for most activities.

There are quite a few factors that are extrinsic and, consequently, within a person’s control. Nevertheless, most people must have assessment by a qualified health care professional to ascertain their overall body health, the type of injury, and the resolution to the problem. If left untreated, sports injuries can greatly affect a person’s life and limit a favorite activity. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is frequently needed to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is a good source of help. Call a chiropractor if you’re either thinking of beginning a new activity, you’re feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you’ve sustained a sports injury. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.

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Ventura Chiropractor

Introduction

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome falls into the category of neurological conditions referred to as nerve entrapment disorders and is easily the most common of these disorders. As the term “nerve entrapment” suggests, these disorders show up when a nerve is trapped or compressed between body tissues creating inflammation and impairment of the nerve.

Anatomy

The carpal tunnel is situated 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. Along with the median nerve, the carpal tunnel includes 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 deliver circulation to the hand. The bottom and sides of this tunnel are formed by wrist bones and the top of the tunnel is covered by a heavy band of connective tissue called the transverse carpal ligament. The carpal tunnel is a thickly-packed space about the size of an index finger. The flexor tendons, arteries and median nerve are designed to glide smoothly past each other during wrist and finger movement.

If the tendon size increases from inflammation or hypertrophy (growth), or if the carpal tunnel size decreases due to  an improper use of the carpal bones, the median nerve can become squeezed or entrapped within the carpal tunnel. At first, carpal tunnel symptoms often include, pain, numbness, pins and needles, and tinging in the fingers and hand, particularly the thumb and adjacent two fingers.  These symptoms are especially noticeable in the night and often wake people from their sleep as the individual has to sit up in bed and shake-out and/or rub the hands in order decrease these unpleasant feelings.  The hands can also feel inept, weak and fatigue easily with activity. Eventually, grasping small objects using the thumb and fingers can be seriously affected and, without treatment, can result in complete debilitation of the hand.

The following are typical 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 instrumental in contributing to the symptoms of 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.  Even household activities as simple as repetitive wringing clothes by hand can help cause this syndrome. By far the most significant reason for the increase of people suffering with CTS is the continuous rise in the use of computers. 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

Competent diagnosis and treatment is vital to relieving the painful and debilitating symptoms of CTS. Your Ventura Chiropractor is highly skilled in the diagnosis and managment of CTS. Chiropractors are well-trained in treating CTS.  Treatment by chiropractor can include ultrasound or low level laser to help reduce inflammation, electro therapy to strengthen weak muscles of the forearm, soft tissue massage to stretch contracted tissues and, of course, adjustments of the dysfunctional joints of the wrist. 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.

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