Using Chiropractic Medicine to Treat Migraines

Anyone who has suffered from a migraine will tell you how debilitating the condition can be. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, it is an issue that affects 38 million Americans annually, with nearly three quarters of those who suffer being female.

Migraines are characterized by intense pressure and throbbing in the head and neck, blurred vision, an inability to tolerate loud noises or bright lights as well as nausea and even vomiting.  They can last anywhere from a few minutes to several days. During the onset of a migraine, sufferers often report a flashing light sensation or an “aura” effect.

Like other headaches, doctors are not sure what brings on a migraine. However, some triggers can be environmental pollutants, high stress situations, lack of sleep, odors, changing weather patterns, alcohol, chocolate and even dairy products. Another possible cause of migraines could be a misalignment of the vertebrae that irritates the nerves traveling the length of the spine to the brain.

Some other ailments that are often associated with migraines include neck pain, family history, nasal congestion or sinus issues and known triggers similar to those noted above.  The onset is often before the age of 30 and can become less severe as sufferers reach mid-life.

If you suffer from migraines, chiropractic adjustments can be an effective treatment plan to help manage and even eliminate the condition. In fact, a report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that "spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than commonly prescribed medications."

Because every condition is unique, a thorough evaluation should precede any chiropractic treatment. However, the most common treatment plans for migraines include manipulation of the cervical vertebrae as well as specialized spinal adjustments designed to reduce spinal tension.  

Do you suffer from the incapacitating effects of migraines? The caring team at Arndt Chiropractic Center can work with you to create a treatment plan to help reduce the pain and alleviate your symptoms. Contact us today for more information!

Treating Scoliosis Using Chiropractic Medicine

Scoliosis is a condition of the spine that can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort for those who suffer from it. It is defined as a sideways curvature of the spine (sometimes patients can suffer from multiple curvatures). The most common deformations are in the shape of an “S” or “C,” and occur in about 80 percent of patients who have a curvature of less than 20 degrees.

The cause of these curvatures is generally not known, however some cases (about 20%) can be the result of a neurological disorder, severe trauma or a mass or growth on the spine. The most common form of scoliosis is called postural. Common side effects of this from of the condition include poor posture, muscle spasms in the back and legs and significant length differences in a patient’s legs.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

In the most severe cases, scoliosis can be a very painful condition. Some common symptoms include pain, decreased range of motion and in acute cases patients can also suffer from reduced lung function and even heart issues. The onset of symptoms is often during the high growth periods of adolescence, and because the rapid growth during these years, curvature severity can intensify quickly.  The most common diagnostic techniques for identifying scoliosis include physical examination and x-rays.  

Chiropractic and Scoliosis

Traditional medical treatments for scoliosis include observation, wearing a back brace for an extended period of time, or surgical procedures to correct the condition. Individuals who suffer from the scoliosis also look to chiropractic solutions to avoid these more invasive procedures.

Chiropractic medicine can be an effective way to reduce the pain and discomfort of scoliosis.  Some studies have found that patients who undergo regular chiropractic treatments might also have curvature reductions. Chiropractic treatment plans for scoliosis typically include a combination of spinal manipulation, electric muscle stimulation and therapeutic exercise routines. These non-invasive treatments often help reduce a patient’s level of pain significantly and can even improve range of motion and other associated issues.

If you are someone you know suffers from scoliosis, contact the professionals at Arndt Chiropractic Center to develop a care plan that could help minimize pain and discomfort. 

Treating Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow

An elbow, also known as the funny bone, is the joint between the forearm and the upper arm that allows the hand to be moved towards and away from the body.  When is the last time you thought about the health of your elbow?  Elbows are vital to our daily movement but did you know they can be easily injured?  If you have ever experienced tendonitis, you know the strain that an elbow injury can put on your everyday life.  If your elbow has been suffering from pain, swelling, or redness for more than a week, you might have a condition known as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow.  

Tennis Elbow – Tennis elbow is a condition caused by the overuse of the arm, forearm, and hand muscles that results in elbow pain.  Tennis elbow is caused by repetitive wrist and arm motions and is typically accompanied by pain.  This condition is most commonly found in people who play a lot of tennis, sports that require wrist motion, painters and even cooks.

Golfer’s Elbow – While not as common as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow is another form of tendinitis that causes pain to your elbow.  Golfer’s elbow is a condition caused by repetitive twisting or stress from wrist or finger motions.  This condition causes pain and inflammation on the inner side of the elbow and may leave your hands and wrists feeling weak.

Treatment – If you are concerned about tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, rest your arm for a week and see if the pain persists.  If you are still experiencing symptoms, you’ll want to make an appointment with the specialists at Arndt Chiropractic Center!  We offer a number of different chiropractic services for your needs.  

Arndt Chiropractic Center offers Laser Therapy (Cold Laser Therapy) as a treatment for many syndromes including tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow.  Laser therapy uses laser energy to create therapeutic results, improve healing time, reduce pain, increase circulation and decrease swelling.  When laser light is absorbed by living tissue, it triggers biological reactions in the cells.  Chemical substances are produced, released and carried by blood and lymphatic flow to other parts of the system.  In this way, the effects of cold laser light create broad systemic effects.

If you are suffering from tendonitis, tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, contact Arndt Chiropractic Center today!

Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Without question, pregnancy is hard on a woman’s body. Morning sickness, backaches, pelvic pain, shortness of breath, swollen ankles, and more. Chiropractic care helps many people around the world find relief from common ailments by manipulating the the body’s musculoskeletal system. Women who are pregnant are extra cautious when it comes to their health and care, so some may not consider chiropractic care if they are unfamiliar with it. Chiropractic is perfectly safe, and can be of great benefit to pregnant women by alleviating many of pregnancy’s most uncomfortable symptoms.

During pregnancy, a woman's hormones are all over the place, causing a myriad of symptoms. Her body also changes; her center of gravity shifts forward to the front of her pelvis. This additional weight in front, causes stress to the joints of the pelvis and low back. As the baby grows in size, the added weight causes the curvature of her lower back to increase, placing extra stress on the fragile facet joints on the back side of the spine. This is all to accommodate the growing baby inside, but this miracle of life comes with some unfortunate side effects for mom. Here’s how prenatal chiropractic care can help, according to americanpregnancy.org:

• Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
• Controlling symptoms of nausea
• Reducing the time of labor and delivery
• Relieving back, neck, or joint pain
• Preventing a potential cesarean delivery

The spine is the “information highway” of the body, so keeping it properly aligned will make sure the brain’s signals are getting where they need to be and when, meaning the body will work more efficiently and the unpleasant pregnancy symptoms will be lessened.

Chiropractic care can also help correct an imbalanced pelvis, which betters the chances of baby moving into an optimal birthing position. With a balanced pelvis, babies are less likely to end up in breech position, which means a lower chance that the mother will need a cesarean section. Optimal baby positioning also means an easier, less painful labor and delivery for the mother.

As with anything during pregnancy, it’s important to discuss any treatment options with your healthcare provider. Many doctors are aware of the benefits of chiropractic care, and hopefully yours will refer you to Arndt Chiropractic Center! At Arndt Chiropractic Center, we take great pride in providing the finest chiropractic care to each and every patient. For more information on pregnancy and chiropractic care, please visit us at our website here, then schedule your appointment with us online!

Plantar Fasciitis

When you wake up in the morning, get out of bed and take your first few steps, do you experience sharp pains in your foot or heel? If this is a common occurrence, you might be suffering from Plantar Fasciitis. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, this is a condition that affects approximately 2 million patients each year. Wheat exactly is this condition and how can it be treated? Take a look!

What is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a ligament that lies directly on the bottom of your foot. When strained or stressed, this ligament may tear resulting in heel pain and discomfort. If you are experiencing inflammation and pain in your heel or foot, you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis. The causes of this condition range from the wear and tear of daily life, running too much, being overweight, or wearing shoes with inadequate support.

What Are The Symptoms?
The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis are pain and inflammation across the bottom of your foot. While this is most common in the morning, it can also strike after standing for long periods of time or getting up after siting down for a while. Typically, plantar fasciitis only affects o
ne foot but it can affect both fee.

What Are My Treatment Options?
After plantar fasciitis is diagnosed by a health care professional, you will have several non-surgical and surgical treatment options. Common treatment of this condition includes resting, applying ice to the area, and using shoes with more supportive arches. Physical Therapy is also a great way to strengthen the muscles in your foot or heel. Luckily, many people recover from this condition within a year and don not need surgery.

At Arndt Chiropractic Center we offer the finest chiropractic care for a range of health needs. If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, our custom foot orthotics can help decrease the pain and pressure on your heel. Out physiotherapy is also an excellent way to help the body heal through cold laser therapy, stimulation, heat therapy, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and more!

If you suffer from plantar fasciitis and are interested in a solution, set up and appointment with national board certified Chiropractic Physician and Registered Nurse, Dr. Lisa Arndt of Arndt Chiropractic Center today! Visit our website or call 563-332-2211 for more information.