Visiting a chiropractor is perhaps best known for back and neck pain, although many other issues can benefit from chiropractic care. Other common issues for seeing a chiropractor include headache arising from the neck, joint pain coming from the shoulder, knee and hip, and some other areas of the body.
Many times the pain in one area is linked to dysfunction somewhere else. Commonly shoulder pain can arise from the neck and upper back, and hip and knee problems are often associated with the pelvis and lower back. A thorough assessment by an excellent chiropractor can help determine what structures are involved.
A Whole Body Approach
Our chiropractic approach looks at the whole body. We use several precise and thorough testing protocols that can highlight areas of restriction, and the treatment process is akin to ‘peeling an onion’. By this we mean that the patterns of restriction show up in layers, and we can progressively ‘peel’ these away until the tightness and restriction disappear.
The goal of a chiropractor is to ensure that all areas of the body are moving freely and that the soft tissues, the muscles and ligaments, are not under strain. This approach allows us to feel where there are restrictions throughout the body, because if you only focus on one area or the site of pain, you often reach an impasse and the recovery process can plateau. As an example, tightness in the ankle and calf could create tightness through the leg and up to the pelvis, resulting in poor pelvic function and low back pain.
Sciatica
Chiropractic can also help with sciatica. Sciatica in a term to describe nerve pain and/or nerve dysfunction in the leg (arising from the sciatic nerve), often all the way to the foot, with numbness and tingling down the leg. Other times the nerve pain extends to the upper leg or buttock. Sometimes the leg can feel weak because the nerve signals to the muscles are affected. Typically sciatica is related to nerve irritation in the lower back and pelvis, sometimes due to a disc hernia or a disc bulge. Oftentimes the nerve irritation is due to tight muscles around the sacroiliac joint and there is no disc involvement. Our approach can identify where the likely cause(s) of the sciatica is coming from, and use an appropriate combination of techniques to assist in the healing recovery.
Poor Posture
As we know all too well, the stresses of modern living can have a large impact on our posture. It is estimated that the average person in the UK sits 9.5 hours a day*. Sitting at a desk for long periods of time can negatively affect our health, resulting in low back pain and neck pain. The same can be true for other postures that involve sustained positions or movements, like long periods of driving, repetitive lifting and working on an assembly line. Conditions like tennis and golfers elbow can result from things like prolonged computer work, DIY work and sports that require a throwing motion.
It is important to change your posture regularly, take regular breaks and ideally walk a little if you have been sitting for some time. Gentle movements of the neck and back can help ease some of the tension. Your chiropractor can advise you on the most suitable exercises.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR POSTURE
Make sure you regularly change your position to ease the postural strains. Movement and stretching can help ease the muscular tightness, aches and pains that accumulate from long periods of sitting or performing repetitive tasks.
Problems Arising From Some Sports Injuries
Some sports injuries respond well to chiropractic, depending on the nature of the injury. Chiropractic treatment can assess the joint pains and muscle aches that arise from an injury, as well as more specific conditions like rotator cuff injuries and shoulder dysfunction. Taking appropriate rest and using ice can aid in the initial recovery, but if the pain is persistent and doesn’t settle within a reasonable time, it is wise to get it assessed by your chiropractor.
Relief Of Discomfort In Pregnancy
Chiropractic care can offer safe, gentle relief for discomfort during pregnancy. A woman’s body undergoes many changes during pregnancy. Those include the softening of ligaments, weight increase and changes to posture. That can lead to additional pressure on joints in various parts of the body, including the spine or pelvis. Chiropractor care in pregnancy is a safe and gentle way to promote comfort and minimise back pain during your pregnancy. At Innate Health we use several gentle approaches that are suitable for all stages of pregnancy.
CHANGES IN PREGNANCY
Back pain can develop during pregnancy because of the extra pressure on the pelvis, spine and pelvic ligaments. Chiropractic treatment can be effective in many cases.
*BHF, accessed 20 July 2021. ‘Are you sitting too much?’ https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/activity/sitting-down]