Chiropractors are concerned with the framework of bones and muscles that support the body and the nerve system which controls it.
Some clients may have an acute (recent) problem which responds quickly and others may have a chronic condition which they have suffered with for some considerable time which may take longer to respond.
We treat the whole body not just the back; we diagnose and treat many musculo-skeletal problems.
Here are a few of the many conditions and problem areas which can be relieved or helped with chiropractic care:-
The primary message is that at New Milton Chiropractic Clinic we treat structural problems involving joints, muscles and nerves and that when these are corrected a surprising variety of symptoms which were really caused or aggravated by nerve or mechanical irritation subside.
NECK PAIN & RESTRICTION/HEADACHES
A frequent and often overlooked cause of headaches may be the dysfunction of spine joints. You may have loss of movement, muscle tension and a change in the normal spinal curves. After a 2 month period of chiropractic treatment, a group of migraine patients reported a 72% positive improvement in the severity of migraines with 22% of people experiencing a 90% reduction in frequency. Over 80% of them identified stress as a major contributor to migraine development. This study was published in The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in 2000. Symptoms from neck dysfunction can be felt as pain or altered sensation i.e. numbness, pins and needles in the head, neck, upper back or arms or even lower back and legs.
ACUTE WHIPLASH - ASSOCIATED DISORDERS
Whiplash is most commonly associated with a rear end car accident whereby the rapid movements of the head snapping back and forth can damage the bones and joints in the neck, as well as the supporting muscles and ligaments. The victim may not be aware of the damage caused but the physical effects can become chronic, affecting quality of life. Symptoms can include lingering neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness and muzziness. Chiropractic can help by restoring lost movement, correcting muscle weakness and enhancing muscle tone. Whiplash injuries, unless treated, may cause persistent symptoms that can recur over many years.
BACK
Back pain is one of the most common reasons for people to seek help from a healthcare professional worldwide. Nearly all human beings will experience some form of back pain during their life. The two most common areas of back pain are the lower back and base of the neck. It can be affected by our work, hobbies, poor posture, childbirth and pregnancy, sports injuries, accidents or sitting for long periods. Environmental or ergonomic factors such as shoes, beds, car seats and office furniture can have helpful or detrimental effects.
Chiropractors concern themselves with the function of the human skeleton, especially the spine and its effect on the nervous system. In the spine, a bone may get strained in a position where it locks (fixation) which the body is not able to self correct, because it does not have a muscle to pull it back in the right direction to correct this misalignment. This causes the body to compensate by twisting the position of the bones and locking up; which is why you may feel pain, stiffness or loss of movement. Alternatively you may not be aware of this until you have a number of injuries and compensations that add together, making a more complicated situation.
SHOULDER/ARMS
The nerves that control these areas come out of the spine in the neck so a neck problem can often produce symptoms in the shoulders and arms. Muscle imbalances due to muscle tension (i.e. letting your shoulders creep up to your ears when stressed), can cause arm and shoulder problems and associated pain. Muscle imbalances causing crunches and clicks on movement may be mistaken for arthritis, but with treatment can often be resolved.
Frozen shoulders although demanding a strict treatment programme respond very well and can be helped back to normal. Rounded shoulders associated with poor posture put a lot of strain on shoulder joints and lead to many problems, such as rotator cuff injuries. Treatment to improve posture can be helpful.
ELBOWS
As well as single trauma injuries (caused by a fall or too heavy a lift), repetitive strain injuries (RSI; affecting tendons, nerves and muscles) can be helped with chiropractic care. Golfers/tennis elbow are typical examples of RSI, caused by repeating a physical movement .
HIPS/KNEES
Knees are prone to wear and injury. Weak knee joints are common and rehabilitation exercises can be of benefit by strengthening the muscles around the knee. An undiscovered hip arthritis can cause severe damage to the knee below it, giving knee pain before any hip discomfort. Early diagnosis allows both hip and knee to be preserved until hip replacement is necessary.
Knee problems are often injuries caused by the imbalances in the working of back, pelvis, hips and feet. Knees absorb twists and shocks which other areas are supposed but fail to do. The damage this causes may be stopped and even reversed by carefully correcting the whole body.
FEET
People may underestimate the importance of good feet and ankles. Deformities or lax ligaments will directly affect the body mechanics all the way up - knees, hips, pelvis, spine, neck and head. A combination of foot and ankle adjustments, exercises and orthotics (specialist inner soles) can help correct these abnormalities. Jonathan does provide a specialist orthotic service
SPORTS INJURIES
As chiropractors treat the whole body, we are able to help sports' related joint injuries that may have occurred not only in the spine but also in the extremities i.e. knees, wrists, elbows and shoulders (rotator cuff injuries). Shin pain is common amongst sports players and may result from an ankle fixation or abnormal foot motion and is often associated with low arches.
ARTHRITIS
Joint and muscle pains which accompany osteoarthritis can often be reduced or relieved with chiropractic care by helping to balance the function of muscles and joints connected with the affected area and reduce tensions and stress to them. This may be achieved by manual therapies, supervised exercise, lifestyle advice and also orthoses.
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