Car accidents can be a harrowing experience for all parties involved, physically and emotionally. There are over 225 million drivers registered in the U.S. alone; of those, 6 million are involved in car accidents yearly. In the aftermath of a car accident, it is essential to seek medical attention from a primary care physician to ensure proper healing and to address any injuries or conditions that may have occurred due to the accident.
One question that many people have after a car accident is whether or not they should see a chiropractor. By visiting a chiropractor, individuals can receive a comprehensive and holistic approach to healing after a car accident, helping them return to their normal activities and improve their quality of life.
Should I See an Accident Injury Chiropractor After a Car Crash?
It is recommended to see a car accident chiropractor after your body has healed from all its major injuries. At Bergen Chiropractic, we are specially trained to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident, most commonly whiplash injuries, fractures, and neck pain.
After a car crash, seeking medical help as soon as possible is essential to ensure a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. A chiropractor can work with you and other healthcare professionals to develop a comprehensive medical treatment plan that addresses all aspects of your recovery. Even minor accidents cause injuries that will surely benefit from chiropractic adjustment and care. Hence, it is vital to have a proper diagnosis regardless of the accident’s severity.
The Most Common Auto Accident Injuries
Car accident injuries result from the impact and sudden motions occurring during car accidents. The most common injuries include:
Whiplash injury: This is a common injury caused by the sudden head and neck jerking motion during a car accident. Symptoms include restricted range of motion, neck pain, headaches, and stiffness.
Broken bones: They occur when the impact’s force exceeds the bone’s strength, causing it to crack or break. Symptoms of a broken bone include joint pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected limb.
Back pain: Can be caused by impact or the pressure affecting the spinal cord. Back pain ranges from mild to severe and is located in the upper, middle, or lower back.
Shoulder pain: Discomfort resulting from a dislocated shoulder or trauma to the muscles and bone. Shoulder pain restricts movement and causes discomfort.
Head injuries: Concussions and injuries similar in kind occur when airbags fail to deploy or seat belts fail to restrain the body properly. This injury leads to damage to the nervous system, chronic pain, and headaches.
Soft tissue injuries: These types of injuries are caused by the tearing or stretching of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Soft tissue damage results in internal bleeding, pain, swelling, and stiffness.
These injuries vary in severity and may require different medical attention and treatment approaches by the chiropractic team and other medical personnel.
How About Seeing a Chiropractor After Minor Car Accidents?
It is often assumed that chiropractic care is only necessary after severe car accidents, but this is not the case. Even minor accidents can cause injuries that can benefit from choosing to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care speeds up the healing process and provides lasting pain relief results to the patient.
It’s crucial to seek medical attention and have a proper diagnosis regardless of whether you were rushed to the emergency room or fit to go home. At the time, you may feel fine, but auto accident injuries are not always immediately visible and may show up days or weeks later.
The Benefits of Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident
A car crash is traumatic to the body, which is why chiropractic services are a helpful resource for managing pain and promoting healthy recovery of the injured areas. In addition, chiropractic treatment provides several benefits for individuals involved in a car accident, such as:
Inflammation reduction: Chiropractic care reduces inflammation caused by injuries, speeding up the healing process.
Improved mobility: Injuries and scar tissue can limit the range of motion in the affected area. Chiropractic treatment helps restore normal levels of mobility by addressing underlying musculoskeletal issues.
Reduce chronic pain: Chronic pain management can include spinal manipulations, adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and exercises. Early intervention prevents chronic pain by addressing injuries and speeding up the healing process.
Avoiding medication: Natural, effective pain relief to prevent daily discomfort for patients with a natural aversion to taking pain medications.
Complementary to other treatments: Chiropractic treatment works seamlessly alongside other treatments, such as medical treatments or physical therapy.
Looking For a Car Accident Chiropractor? Look No Further Than Bergen Chiropractic!
Poor posture is no surprise considering the time spent behind a desk looking down at the computer or smartphone. On average, Americans check their phones 344 times per day — that’s once every four minutes, with an average screen time of seven hours!
If it’s considered bad posture, then why does it feel good? Just like too much screen time, comfortable behavior feels good while doing it but often has impactful consequences. In the long term, postural issues severely affect the body’s nervous system and spine, resulting in back pain, headaches, and fatigue.
But don’t worry; a visit to the chiropractor can help correct poor postures, such as forward head translation or slouching, and realign the spine to ensure that the body is functioning optimally!
What Is the Root Cause of Poor Posture?
Feeling like a walking skeleton has the propensity to make the best of days a challenge. Want to feel reinvigorated? Before you can fix your posture and restore proper alignment, you need to understand where it stems from. So settle in because we’re about to dive deeply into the reasons behind those slouchy shoulders.
Sedentary lifestyle: A lack of physical activity and exercise leads to weaker muscles and increased soft tissue, resulting in a lack of support. Lack of movement contributes to poor body mechanics and stiffening of the body’s joints.
Muscular imbalance: Despite leading an active lifestyle, the back, shoulders, and core muscles tighten over time. This may be due to a lack of stretching or movement variation in those specific regions causing slouching or hunching.
Poor ergonomics: The image of rounded upper backs in front of screens is synonymous with the workplace. Sitting in front of an improper work setup leads to muscle fatigue and habitual slouching.
It’s essential to address the problem’s crux to correct posture imbalances effectively. Bergen Chiropractic will help you develop an effective treatment plan to restore better posture holistically!
How Does Poor Posture Affect Your Overall Health?
Bad posture not only affects one’s appearance but also significantly impacts overall health. Improper posture strains the muscles and joints, leading to pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulders, and back.
Prolonged bad posture can lead to chronic pain, headaches, and scoliosis. It also affects internal organs, leading to problems such as acid reflux, slowed digestion, constipation, and irregular breathing.
As improper posture can cause various health issues and limit self-confidence, it is essential to be mindful of one’s posture, make a conscious effort to maintain good posture, and seek professional chiropractic assistance to reduce the risk of developing bad posture.
Signs of Bad Posture
Knowing what to look out for can help you get the assistance you need to remedy any postural problems you have developed. Some of the most common symptoms of bad posture include:
Slouching or hunching forward: This is one of the most obvious signs of bad posture. It can occur while sitting or standing.
Rounded shoulders: Rounded the shoulders forward indicates tight or weak muscles in the upper back and chest.
Forward head: Jutting the head forward indicates that the neck and upper back muscles are tight and weak.
Back and neck pain: A common symptom of lousy posture is back pain caused by the added strain on the muscles and joints.
Tiredness: Prolonged poor posture can cause muscle fatigue, contributing to exhaustion and stress.
Headaches: Lousy posture can also cause headaches.
Difficulty breathing: Poor posture can affect the breathing pattern and make it difficult to take deep breaths.
Poor digestion: Lousy posture can also affect organ function and cause problems such as acid reflux, weight gain, and constipation.
From tight muscles, uneven shoulders, and muscle strain to overly arched lower backs, there are plenty of telltale signs of a lack of good posture. Unfortunately, a host of symptoms are only apparent through a diagnosis, such as a twisted pelvis and the spine’s misalignment.
Kyphosis is a condition where the upper back is excessively rounded, and the shoulders are hunched forward. Weak back muscles and tight chest muscles usually cause this.
Lordosisis a condition where the lower back is excessively arched, and the buttocks are pushed out, caused by weak abdominal muscles and tight hip muscles.
Flat back is a condition where the lower back’s natural curve is flattened.
Forward head is a condition where the head and ears are far ahead of the spine and the vertical midline of the body.
A person may be dealing with a combination of these postural issues. Therefore, chiropractic assessment is imperative to properly diagnose the underlying cause behind your poor posture.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Bad Posture Correction?
Of course! Chiropractic care helps restore healthy posture, positively affecting overall health. Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions, including posture-related ones.
Bergen Chiropractic uses a variety of effective techniques, including spinal manipulation, adjustment procedures, massage therapy, soft tissue therapy, and strengthening exercises to help correct imbalances and reduce pain, setting you up for maintaining good posture in the long run!
Our team of experts will perform a thorough examination to identify any structural or biomechanical issues that may influence the treatment outline. You may also qualify for X-rays or other imaging studies to better understand the problem.
Once a diagnosis is given, our team will develop a chiropractic treatment plan specific to your needs. This may include spinal adjustments to correct misalignments, exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscles, and lifestyle and ergonomic modifications to help prevent poor posture from recurring.
Not only will you feel better, but you’ll have an improved aesthetic. So say goodbye to slouching and hello to a straight and healthy spine!
What Does Chiropractic Posture Correction Entail?
Chiropractic posture correction involves more than just the satisfying popping sound you hear when the chiropractic adjustments are made. It typically combines different techniques and modalities depending on the individual’s condition and needs.
Spinal Adjustments
Chiropractic care uses gentle manipulative techniques to correct any spinal misalignments that may contribute to lousy posture. This approach can help restore the spine’s natural curve and reduce pain.
Soft Tissue Therapy
Effective techniques such as massage, stretching, and myofascial liberation release muscle tension and improve flexibility, resulting in fewer aches and pains.
Careful Exercise and Stretching
Specific exercises and stretches are prescribed to improve muscle strength and flexibility. These exercises help improve posture and reduce pain by correcting muscle imbalances.
Chiropractic posture correction is not a one-time treatment; it is a process that requires regular monitoring and adjustments to ensure that the patient’s posture improves and stays that way.
How To Improve Poor Posture at Home
Improving poor posture at home is simple! You can achieve it through exercises, stretches, and lifestyle improvements, such as swapping high-heeled shoes for sneakers or flats.
Here are a few steps to help improve lousy posture at home:
Strengthen the core: Strong abdominal and back muscles help support the spinal cord and improve posture. Exercises such as planks, bridges, and crunches help strengthen the core muscles.
Stretch muscles: Tight muscles can pull the body out of correct alignment, causing poor posture. Stretching the chest, shoulders, and upper back helps release tension and improve posture.
Use the wall: Sit with your legs flat on the floor and your back against the wall. Keep your shoulders back and down and your head up. Maintain this position for 30 seconds to a minute at a time.
Keep active throughout the day: While working, take short breaks every 30 minutes to an hour to stand up, stretch, and move around.
Improving poor posture takes time and consistency — it’s not an overnight process. However, with consistent effort coupled with chiropractic care, you will see improvements, and maintaining proper posture will become a habit!
Learn How To Maintain Proper Posture at Bergen Chiropractic!
Elevated blood pressure is one of the leading preventable risk factors for mortality. Nearly 70 million Americans suffer from it, and its causes are diverse. In this article, we will look into one surprising cause of hypertension, and one convenient, non-invasive treatment — chiropractic treatment!
What Are the Two Types of Blood Pressure?
Many people use digital sphygmomanometers or blood pressure monitors to keep track of their blood pressure levels. However, its measures remain cryptic for some patients. So, what’s the meaning of those numbers? The first two values are linked to the two types of blood pressure: systolic and diastolic.
The top reading indicates systolic blood pressure: With each beat, the heart pumps blood into the arteries. This force creates pressure on the blood vessels, called systolic blood pressure. Since the force needed for pumping blood throughout the entire body is considerable, systolic blood pressure is naturally higher.
The bottom reading represents diastolic blood pressure: After each beat, the heart relaxes, but the pressure in the arteries remains as the heart fills with oxygen-rich blood. Diastolic blood pressure is naturally lower than the systolic type.
Interpretation is the next step toward ascertaining your blood pressure levels:
Systolic blood pressure: normal levels (<120 mm Hg); elevated (120-129 mm Hg), stage 1 high blood pressure or hypertension (130-139 mm Hg); stage 2 high blood pressure (>140 mm Hg); hypertensive crisis (>180 mm Hg; in such cases, we strongly encourage calling 911).
Diastolic blood pressure: normal levels (<80 mm Hg); stage 1 high blood pressure (80-89 mm Hg); stage 2 high blood pressure (>90 mm Hg); hypertensive crisis (>120 mm Hg; call 911).
Why High Blood Pressure Is Dangerous
Failure to supervise and treat hypertension can lead to various life-threatening conditions, starting from vascular diseases, going through blood circulation blockage, and leading to organ failure:
Stroke
Heart attack
Aneurysm
Blindness or vision impairment
Dementia
Hypertensive patients should seek medical treatment according to the specific cause of their hypertension. Some patients only require dietary changes, while others may need more complex treatment. There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment suitable for every hypertensive patient.
Can Cervical Spondylosis Raise Your Blood Pressure?
Cervical spondylosis is a condition that occurs in the higher spinal region (i.e., cervical region) due to disk degeneration. Frequently, disk degeneration occurs at the level of the C-1 vertebra, also called the Atlas vertebra. Its name comes from Greek mythology — Atlas is the giant holding the world upon his shoulders.
The Atlas vertebra is the base upon which our head sits. Specific brain centers responsible for muscle control are found in the proximity of the Atlas vertebra. Patients suffering from Atlas misalignment (i.e., the C-1 vertebra being slightly out of place), even if they don’t report any neck pain, are at risk of developing symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, and hypertension.
Misaligned vertebrae in the upper cervical region, especially Atlas misalignment, frequently come with vertigo or dizziness. Researchers have linked these symptoms to lower blood flow to the posterior part of the brain (i.e., vertebrobasilar insufficiency).
Our body sometimes tries to compensate for this burdensome insufficiency by increasing the heart’s pumping force. Such is one cause of hypertension in patients with cervical spondylosis. A possible interpretation links hypertension to sympathetic nerve fibers stimulation, identified in patients suffering from C-1 vertebra misalignment.
Can Chiropractic Care Lower High Blood Pressure?
Recent clinical research shows that Atlas realignment (i.e., chiropractic adjustment) efficiently reduces blood pressure!
Atlas Adjustments for Lower Blood Pressure
Atlas adjustments consist of realigning the C-1 vertebra. Atlas misalignment is pain-free in many cases, which sometimes makes its diagnosis difficult and puzzling. As we’ve already outlined, one pain-free symptom of cervical spondylosis is hypertension.
During Atlas adjustments, chiropractors use their hands to gently manipulate the troublesome vertebra to get it back into its designated place.
The benefits of chiropractic techniques for Atlas realignment have been proved in the case of hypertensive patients. Thus, such a procedure can be an efficient alternative treatment plan to blood pressure-lowering drugs.
Researchers witnessed that, following a chiropractic adjustment, previously hypertensive patients had an average 14 mm Hg more significant drop in systolic blood pressure and an average 8 mm Hg drop in diastolic blood pressure. In addition, there was no need for blood pressure medications because patients’ blood pressure remained between healthy boundaries.
During a clinical study, two groups of hypertensive patients suffering from Atlas misalignment were chosen and separated. One group received a chiropractic adjustment; the other underwent an indistinguishable “sham intervention.” The results for the first group are truly encouraging: blood pressure reduction following chiropractic Atlas adjustment is similar to the one brought by two blood pressure-lowering pills and drugs taken at once.
Chiropractic Care Is a Non-Invasive Path for Hypertensive Patients
Fusion or other invasive treatments for cervical spondylosis are effective, but their invasive nature comes with some risks. However, chiropractic care is a non-invasive, medication-free approach to Atlas realignment and lowering high blood pressure induced by cervical spondylosis!
Dealing With Hypertension? Bergen Chiropractic Can Help!
If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and noticed that your shoulders are uneven, you know what a worrying ordeal that can be. Is there something tragically or permanently wrong? Will it get worse? Is there a way to fix uneven shoulders? These questions can whirl through one’s head if confronted with this problem.
Thankfully, we have accessible and effective treatment options for uneven shoulders. There is no need to endure the symptoms and complications of uneven shoulders, such as shoulder pain, muscle tightness, headaches, and tendonitis.
Chiropractic treatment is one of the leading and most cost-effective therapeutic options available to those who suffer from uneven shoulders. Below is an exploration of what can cause and how to fix uneven shoulders through professional chiropractic treatment!
Scoliosis is a condition typified by an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, meaning that the spine does not sit in a straight line horizontally. In some cases, one shoulder blade is higher than the other, and subsequently, uneven shoulders occur. The causes of scoliosis are not fully understood, but there is a strong genetic component.
Poor Posture
Bad posture can cause a slight or significant difference in shoulder height between the right and left sides. A Korean study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science found that postural habits can make one shoulder higher than the other. Poor posture can also cause rounded shoulders, leading to tight muscles in the shoulder area and creating a disparity between the height of the left shoulder and the right shoulder.
Muscle Imbalances
Muscular imbalances occur when one muscle in a group of muscles is larger, stronger, or different in any way that causes abnormal functioning and movement. A muscle imbalance can result from sports, other physical activities, improper posture, and natural causes. For example, if a shoulder muscle is imbalanced, the shoulder blade on the corresponding side might be positioned unnaturally.
Nerve Damage
According to researchers from the University of Texas, the University of Tennessee, and the Midwestern University, damage to the nerves linked to the upper trapezius muscle can impair posture and result in imbalanced muscles. This muscle controls the shoulder blades; if it functions abnormally, the shoulder level on either side could be affected.
Dominant Side
The majority of people have a dominant side, i.e., a preference for one arm, one hand, one leg, or one foot over the other. Over time, seemingly innocuous actions, like wearing a laptop bag on one shoulder over the other, can eventually lead to adversely impacted shoulder posture. Uneven shoulders may result from weight-bearing exclusively on one side.
Is It Normal To Have Uneven Shoulders?
There are numerous ways shoulder blades may be positioned differently from their counterparts on the opposite side. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 3% of Americans deal with scoliosis, only one of the many causes of uneven shoulders. Uneven shoulders are a common cause of pain, discomfort, and emotional distress.
How Does Chiropractic Care Help Fix Uneven Shoulders?
Chiropractors have the ideal skillset and knowledge base to treat uneven shoulders. Unlike physical therapists, chiropractors ensure that body parts are correctly aligned, making them the ideal professionals to use if your shoulders aren’t the same height.
Exercises for Uneven Shoulders
Chiropractors often use exercises to fix uneven shoulders, supplemented by specialized stretches and elements a massage therapist would use. This combination is a perfect remedy for the symptoms of uneven shoulders, such as pain and visible disparity. Below is an example of what an exercise program for uneven shoulders might entail.
Standing Row
Using a resistance band, create a loop attached to a stable fixture, such as a doorknob. While facing forward toward the fixture, hold the resistance band with the hand on the same side of the affected shoulder and hold the arm at 90 degrees as the starting position. Slowly extend the arm until the band is taut and return to the starting position. Akin to most single-arm exercises, remember to maintain a flat back and repeat the exercise.
Rotation Exercises
Circular motion is crucial to the healthy functioning of the shoulders. As such, rotation exercises are a great way to correct uneven shoulders.
To achieve a shoulder internal rotation:
Attach the resistance band to a stable fixture again, ensuring that you face the fixture.
Hold the band with the affected side and create a 90-degree angle.
Bring the forearm of that side across the body until the band is taut and the shoulder is internally rotated.
Return to the starting position and repeat as necessary.
To achieve an external rotation of the shoulder, assume the same starting position as the exercise for internal shoulder rotation and gently pull the band outwards so that the forearm moves away from the body.
Shoulder Raises
Stand with a straightened back and keep both arms straight in their normal position. Lift your shoulders towards your ear, squeezing as much as possible. Hold this pose for a few moments and release.
Stretches for Uneven Shoulders
A shoulder stretch is a great option to correct uneven shoulders for patients who need a more gentle and gradual approach.
Reverse Prayer Pose
Bring your palms together behind your back, with the tips of your fingers facing the ground. Next, straighten your chest and bring your shoulders backward before rotating your joined hands so that your fingertips face the ceiling. Hold for a few seconds before relaxing.
Cross-Arm Stretch
Take the arm of the affected side across your body, keeping the arm straight. Next, take the palm from the unaffected side and pull the upper arm of the treatment side across your body. Hold for 30 seconds and release.
How To Sleep With Uneven Shoulders
Sleeping in an uncomfortable position can exacerbate pain for individuals with uneven shoulders. Therefore, it is vital to sleep appropriately while the impacted scapular stabilizes. Use a pillow, blanket, or towel to support the arm of the affected side while sleeping.
Ready To Fix Your Uneven Shoulders? Dr. Doerr Can Help!
Constipation is infamously widespread among Americans, being the most common gastrointestinal problem. Patients usually seek medical treatment when the pain becomes chronic or acute, although the type and cause of constipation are hardly ever identified. A change in diet, more rest, or various medications may not help if the cause is found in the nervous system’s poor functionality. In recent years, however, chiropractic care has proven effective against constipation!
Are There Different Types of Constipation?
Constipation is annoying and troublesome regardless of its specific type. Medical studies distinguish between constipation as the main problem (i.e., primary constipation) and constipation as a symptom of an underlying condition (i.e., secondary constipation).
Primary constipation, also called idiopathic constipation, has no apparent cause. Clinicians have identified three different types of primary constipation:
Normal transit constipation: Despite regular bowel movements, patients perceive abdominal bloating and pain as constipation.
Slow transit constipation: Because, in such cases, eating doesn’t stimulate normal bowel movement, stool travels slower through the colon.
Outlet constipation: Damage to the pelvic floor muscles that support the bowel can make passing the stool difficult. Since the same muscles support the uterus, this condition is more common in women after pregnancy.
Secondary constipation is as diverse as its various causes. The challenge posed by secondary constipation is identifying the underlying medical issues. Only by identifying and treating the underlying cause can constipation relief be brought about.
What Are the Main Causes of Constipation?
Constipation is annoying and troublesome, regardless of its cause. For example, specific food or dehydration may reduce the number of bowel movements you experience. In such cases, dietary and lifestyle adjustments may be the key to improving the digestive system’s flow. But sometimes chronic constipation is the result of a more subtle condition, such as:
Hypothyroidism
Diabetes
Irritable bowel syndrome
Colon cancer
Vitamin or mineral deficiency
Can a Misaligned Spine Cause Constipation?
Digestive problems are often linked to the nervous system’s health because of psychological distress or nerve compression. For instance, some people with irritable bowel syndrome know firsthand what discomfort anxiety and intense emotions can bring to their gut.
Since even psychological factors play a significant role in digestive health, there’s no wonder why nerves related to the digestive system can interfere with its flow and overall health when pinched.
Throughout the small intestine and colon, special nerve cells, called ganglion cells, ensure bowel movements by muscle contraction. These nerves are linked to the celiac ganglion, which sends signals to the stomach, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, and colon. The nerve roots of the celiac ganglion connect to the spinal cord at the higher lumbar and lower thoracic regions.
Pressure on the nerve roots due to vertebrae misalignment interferes with the normal function of the autonomic nervous system responsible for regular bowel movements. Think of a television cable: when it is strangled or pinched, the signal can’t get through, and thus the image gets blurry and inconsistent.
The same happens when one of the nerves linked to digestive flow becomes strangled: the nervous system can’t work at its optimal pace, stool travels slower through the intestines and colon, and, therefore, patients experience constipation.
Can Seeing a Chiropractor Help With Constipation?
The straightforward answer is yes, a chiropractor can help patients report constipation issues linked to nerve compression! This treatment approach is backed by medical studies and patients alike. But how exactly does a chiropractic treatment bring about constipation relief?
Chiropractic Care Helps Relieve Nerve Interference
Through natural, safe, and effective spinal adjustments, chiropractic treatments can help relieve not merely low back pain but also chronic constipation due to spinal compression.
Patients lie down clothed with their faces upwards on a spinal decompression table. It produces precise and gentle movements, thus making subtle adjustments to the spine. Our chiropractor, Dr. Gregory Doerr, will ensure that the chiropractic adjustments relieve pressure from the nerve roots linked to digestive flow. As a result, you will notice digestive improvements in the days following chiropractic care. Some patients will also report back pain relief, as nerve damage is reversed by the restoration of the typical nutritional flow to the previously strangled nerves.
Does Chiropractic Care Have the Same Effect Against Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Constipation is not the only digestive problem caused by nerve compression. Pressure upon specific nerves related to the gastrointestinal tract may also be responsible for irritable bowel syndrome. Symptoms such as cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting may all be due to vertebrae misalignment and nerve strangulation.
Spinal and nerve good health is crucial for proper organ functionality. As with constipation, chiropractic care can bring nerve relief and, thus, improve gastrointestinal health. An appointment with a chiropractor might quickly resolve irritable bowel syndrome caused by nerve compression.
Looking for Natural Constipation Relief? Dr. Doerr and His Team Can Help!
You’re probably familiar with the ultrasounds doctors use to diagnose pregnancy. But what may surprise you is that chiropractors can use ultrasound to treat muscle and joint pain in a method called chiropractic ultrasound therapy. This new form of therapy can provide relief to people suffering from chronic muscle and joint pain without using drugs or equally painful procedures!
What Is Chiropractic Ultrasound Therapy?
Ultrasound uses sound waves to treat medical problems by stimulating blood flow. The increased blood flow helps speed your body’s natural healing processes to reduce inflammation, break down scar tissue, and relax your muscles.
Ultrasound is emitted continuously or through pulses, each with its own effect. Continuous sound emission, also called thermal ultrasound, penetrates the skin to the soft tissue beneath for chronic pain relief. Pulses, also called mechanical therapy, are used on non-chronic conditions like recent, non-permanent injuries.
Chiropractors employ ultrasonic therapy to ease back and joint pain as part of a holistic treatment plan. Other parts of an ultrasound treatment plan may include techniques such as chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, massage, stretching, and heat therapy. Therapeutic ultrasound helps support the work of these treatment modalities to help your body heal as fast as possible.
How Does Ultrasound Therapy Work?
Ultrasound therapy uses a wand-shaped applicator with a specialized gel either applied to it or the treatment area. The chiropractor uses the ultrasound machine to disperse the high-frequency sound waves evenly as they move it around in small circles. These sound waves will cause a vibration in the area, which may lead to a tingling or warm sensation — the result of your tissues being warmed by the sound waves. This mild side effect proves that the therapy works and your blood flows better to the tissue.
Ultrasound Therapy Can Treat a Variety of Conditions!
Ultrasound therapy can support the treatment of a wide range of injuries and conditions. One group of conditions ultrasound therapy is effective against are bone and joint illnesses, such as:
Osteoarthritis
Bursitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Ultrasound therapy has also been proven effective against muscles, tendons, and connective tissue inflammation. Conditions that inflame your muscles and tissues include:
Tendonitis
Scar tissue
Sprains and strains
Myofascial pain
While ultrasound therapy can help treat many of these conditions, it does not necessarily cure them. Ultrasound therapy is not effective on all forms of chronic pain. Instead, it can help reduce pain and support your chiropractor’s other treatment methods.
Will Therapeutic Ultrasound Therapy Work for Me?
Ultrasound therapy is a quick, painless, and effective treatment for many conditions. In particular, ultrasound therapy is great for people suffering from chronic pain and irritation. When used in conjunction with other treatment methods, ultrasound therapy has been proven to be effective and may offer a surprising amount of relief. If you suffer from chronic pain, talk to your healthcare professional to evaluate whether ultrasound therapy could be helpful for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ultrasound Therapy
Chiropractic ultrasound therapy is a relatively new treatment modality. Because of its novelty, it is only natural to have questions about it. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about ultrasound therapy to dispel any uncertainties about this treatment modality.
Can Ultrasound Therapy Alleviate Symptoms of Tendinitis?
Tendinitis is a muscle tendon inflammation that can cause pain and limit motion. Since tendinitis is a form of inflammation, ultrasound therapy is effective against it! Ultrasound has been shown to effectively increase blood supply to the tendon, reducing pain and inflammation. When combined with chiropractic adjustments, this treatment modality can alleviate painful symptoms and restore a normal range of motion.
Despite its thickness, ultrasound waves can penetrate the skin on the feet to reach the inflamed connective tissue and tendons. This approach allows ultrasound therapy to effectively decrease inflammation and pain caused by plantar fasciitis.
Is Ultrasound Therapy Safe?
Ultrasound therapy is a low-risk form of therapy. According to the FDA, ultrasound therapy is a safe process so long as you receive your treatment from a licensed professional. It is also painless unless used in an area already in pain.
Ultrasound therapy is usually avoided for patients with blood clots, malignant tumors, acute infections, and vascular abnormalities due to the risk of complications.
How Often Should You Do Ultrasound Therapy?
Ultrasound therapy is generally safe at nearly any frequency. There is no upper limit on how often ultrasound therapy should be used, but normally, you should only receive treatment once per day. If you do not notice improvement after 3-4 sessions, experts recommend that you reevaluate or seek other treatment methods.
Start Your Ultrasound Therapy at Bergen Chiropractic!
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