Monday, September 21, 2009
Dan O'Brien And Chiropractic
If Dan O'Brien Needs Chiropractic maybe you could use it too? Give us a call today!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Spring... Time To Renew, Revitalize, and....
It's nearly Spring. Time to renew, revitalize, and get adjusted? The first of the year tends to be a time for resolutions. Now more sun, more daylight, and hopefully some time have either proven you to be successful following your resolution or time to make a new one.
As the weather improves and some of the laziness of winter starts to shake off, take this time to see your chiropractor and get adjusted. You'll feel great, have more energy, and help prevent problems down the road.
You don't have to wait until you're in pain to visit a chiropractor (even though most people do). The patients I've seen do the best over the years are those that keep their spines maintained, and go the extra mile for their health.
As the weather improves and some of the laziness of winter starts to shake off, take this time to see your chiropractor and get adjusted. You'll feel great, have more energy, and help prevent problems down the road.
You don't have to wait until you're in pain to visit a chiropractor (even though most people do). The patients I've seen do the best over the years are those that keep their spines maintained, and go the extra mile for their health.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Chiropractic For Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body. If you’ve ever had sciatica, you know how painful and debilitating it can be. Sciatica is often characterized by pain radiating from the back into the buttocks and into the legs. Inflammation and irritation of the sciatic nerve can cause pain anywhere along the path of the nerve, which includes the low back, buttocks, the back of the legs and thighs, and in some cases it can be felt in the foot and ankle.
How does a nerve, like the sciatic nerve, become inflamed? Sciatica is often the result of cumulative damage. Years of bad posture, deconditioned muscles, and carrying “a few extra pounds” are all contributing factors to this horrible condition. Something as simple as bending over to tie your shoes can trigger an episode.
Let’s take a look at how the sciatic nerve is formed in your body. Like a large river created by smaller streams, five pairs of nerves exit the spine in the lower back to form two sciatic nerves (one in each leg). A bulging or herniated disc in the lumbar spine (low back) may press against the nerve roots that supply the sciatic nerve. The result is swelling, inflammation, and pain that is felt when coughing, sneezing, or with certain movements.
Spinal decay can be another culprit. Instability in the low back over time leads to the degeneration of not only the soft, pulpy disc, but also leads to the formation of arthritis and bone spurs. Bone spurs can intrude into the spaces normally reserved for the nerve and create the pain and inflammation associated with sciatica.
Sciatica often worsens with extended bed rest. Pain medications and muscle relaxers may relieve some symptoms, but they are unable to correct the nerve compression caused by spinal decay. Physical therapy addresses the soft tissues around the problem in an attempt to strengthen and stabilize the area, but can irritate the area from exercising unstable joints, and ignores the cause of the problem. Surgery often involves cutting away disc tissue or removing bone to make room for the nerve.
Chiropractic continues to be the best way to address the cause of sciatica. A recent study, done by the Committee on Research of the International Chiropractor’s Association, Parker Research Foundation, the Kale Network and Kale Research Center, found that with a chiropractic treatment plan: 85% of patients with sciatica showed results that were much improved, 9.4% were slightly improved, 5.1% remained the same, and 0.5% were worse.
Improving joint motion with a series of chiropractic adjustments has produced results for millions. “Before” and “after” images of the lower back often show improved disc height and spacing. Many patients report they can resume their lives and that their symptoms disappear without drugs or surgery. Chiropractic is the natural approach to relief and better health.
Don’t wait. Chiropractic care appears to have the most profound effect on sciatica when problems first occur. However, even in those who have tried to ignore this or have gone through the medical “runaround” can still get excellent results with chiropractic care. Chiropractic is the natural choice that should be made before submitting to dangerous and irreversible surgery.
Dr. Paul Early is a Chiropractor in Seattle in the Northgate area of Seattle, WA. More information can be found at his website at http://www.soundchiropractic.com
How does a nerve, like the sciatic nerve, become inflamed? Sciatica is often the result of cumulative damage. Years of bad posture, deconditioned muscles, and carrying “a few extra pounds” are all contributing factors to this horrible condition. Something as simple as bending over to tie your shoes can trigger an episode.
Let’s take a look at how the sciatic nerve is formed in your body. Like a large river created by smaller streams, five pairs of nerves exit the spine in the lower back to form two sciatic nerves (one in each leg). A bulging or herniated disc in the lumbar spine (low back) may press against the nerve roots that supply the sciatic nerve. The result is swelling, inflammation, and pain that is felt when coughing, sneezing, or with certain movements.
Spinal decay can be another culprit. Instability in the low back over time leads to the degeneration of not only the soft, pulpy disc, but also leads to the formation of arthritis and bone spurs. Bone spurs can intrude into the spaces normally reserved for the nerve and create the pain and inflammation associated with sciatica.
Sciatica often worsens with extended bed rest. Pain medications and muscle relaxers may relieve some symptoms, but they are unable to correct the nerve compression caused by spinal decay. Physical therapy addresses the soft tissues around the problem in an attempt to strengthen and stabilize the area, but can irritate the area from exercising unstable joints, and ignores the cause of the problem. Surgery often involves cutting away disc tissue or removing bone to make room for the nerve.
Chiropractic continues to be the best way to address the cause of sciatica. A recent study, done by the Committee on Research of the International Chiropractor’s Association, Parker Research Foundation, the Kale Network and Kale Research Center, found that with a chiropractic treatment plan: 85% of patients with sciatica showed results that were much improved, 9.4% were slightly improved, 5.1% remained the same, and 0.5% were worse.
Improving joint motion with a series of chiropractic adjustments has produced results for millions. “Before” and “after” images of the lower back often show improved disc height and spacing. Many patients report they can resume their lives and that their symptoms disappear without drugs or surgery. Chiropractic is the natural approach to relief and better health.
Don’t wait. Chiropractic care appears to have the most profound effect on sciatica when problems first occur. However, even in those who have tried to ignore this or have gone through the medical “runaround” can still get excellent results with chiropractic care. Chiropractic is the natural choice that should be made before submitting to dangerous and irreversible surgery.
Dr. Paul Early is a Chiropractor in Seattle in the Northgate area of Seattle, WA. More information can be found at his website at http://www.soundchiropractic.com
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Chiropractor for TMJ?
It is estimated that 30% of the population suffer from TMJ dysfunction or from one of the many symptoms that a problem with the jaw can create. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where the jaw bone joins the skull. Problems or dysfunction of this joint can result in jaw pain, jaw clicking, headaches, sinus problems and even loss of hearing! Many people suffer needlessly for years, seeking opinion after opinion, not knowing how to address this painful and problematic condition.
Jessie’s story started just that way. When she came to our office, she had been suffering with jaw pain and neck stiffness for many years. She told me it was terrible to wake up not knowing if her jaw would lock up and cause a migraine all day long again. You see, she had stopped taking the various pain killers her doctor had prescribed. They never really worked and she was tired of the years of “fogginess” her medications had caused.
What were her doctors missing? Why does the TMJ pose such a problem for so many? The causes of a TMJ dysfunction are almost always physical. What does that mean? Well, a comprehensive approach to TMJ must include a look at the tracking of the jaw, the muscles that act upon the jaw, the disc that helps the jaw glide against the skull, and the nerves that control the muscles of the jaw. Lifestyle changes are often in order as well.
What causes tracking disorders? One way is with direct trauma to the jaw, knocking it out of alignment and causing all kinds of trouble. Auto accidents, sports injuries, and blows to the face are common ways the jaw can be knocked out of alignment. Left untreated, the misaligned jaw can literally start to carve a new, misaligned path for itself.
An imbalance in the muscles that act on the jaw is another way to cause TMJ dysfunction. The jaw, like all joints in the body, is moved and stabilized by muscles. When these muscles aren’t functioning properly, the jaw will not move properly, and the joint will start a degenerative process that will not just go away. Arthritic changes and problems with the disc often result from such imbalances.
The most common, and often over-looked, cause of TMJ is a problem with the neck. When the top bones of the neck go out of alignment, they place pressure on the nerves that go to the head and face, causing problems such as: headaches, ringing in the ears, dizzy spells, sinus trouble, and TMJ.
The problem with Jessie’s jaw was a combination of all these things. She was treated with manipulation of her jaw, to help align it for proper tracking, myofascial release to the muscles that act on her jaw, relaxation techniques to help her stop clenching, a splint to help her relax her jaw at night, and most importantly, she was given chiropractic care to address the problems in her neck that were affecting her jaw.
Your chiropractor will take a health history, do an examination of the nerves that most commonly cause TMJ and examine your spine to see if those nerves are impinged by misaligned vertebrae. When indicated, spinal x-rays will be taken to see exactly where the spinal bones are misaligned and how to re-align the spine to correct the problem.
Chiropractic adjustments can correct the cause by re-aligning the vertebrae to their normal position with gentle exercises to strengthen to new and proper positioning. If you would like to leave the pain and the drugs behind, chiropractic offers a promising solution by dealing with the cause of TMJ.
By Dr. Paul Early, a Seattle Chiropractor at Sound Chiropractic Center.
Jessie’s story started just that way. When she came to our office, she had been suffering with jaw pain and neck stiffness for many years. She told me it was terrible to wake up not knowing if her jaw would lock up and cause a migraine all day long again. You see, she had stopped taking the various pain killers her doctor had prescribed. They never really worked and she was tired of the years of “fogginess” her medications had caused.
What were her doctors missing? Why does the TMJ pose such a problem for so many? The causes of a TMJ dysfunction are almost always physical. What does that mean? Well, a comprehensive approach to TMJ must include a look at the tracking of the jaw, the muscles that act upon the jaw, the disc that helps the jaw glide against the skull, and the nerves that control the muscles of the jaw. Lifestyle changes are often in order as well.
What causes tracking disorders? One way is with direct trauma to the jaw, knocking it out of alignment and causing all kinds of trouble. Auto accidents, sports injuries, and blows to the face are common ways the jaw can be knocked out of alignment. Left untreated, the misaligned jaw can literally start to carve a new, misaligned path for itself.
An imbalance in the muscles that act on the jaw is another way to cause TMJ dysfunction. The jaw, like all joints in the body, is moved and stabilized by muscles. When these muscles aren’t functioning properly, the jaw will not move properly, and the joint will start a degenerative process that will not just go away. Arthritic changes and problems with the disc often result from such imbalances.
The most common, and often over-looked, cause of TMJ is a problem with the neck. When the top bones of the neck go out of alignment, they place pressure on the nerves that go to the head and face, causing problems such as: headaches, ringing in the ears, dizzy spells, sinus trouble, and TMJ.
The problem with Jessie’s jaw was a combination of all these things. She was treated with manipulation of her jaw, to help align it for proper tracking, myofascial release to the muscles that act on her jaw, relaxation techniques to help her stop clenching, a splint to help her relax her jaw at night, and most importantly, she was given chiropractic care to address the problems in her neck that were affecting her jaw.
Your chiropractor will take a health history, do an examination of the nerves that most commonly cause TMJ and examine your spine to see if those nerves are impinged by misaligned vertebrae. When indicated, spinal x-rays will be taken to see exactly where the spinal bones are misaligned and how to re-align the spine to correct the problem.
Chiropractic adjustments can correct the cause by re-aligning the vertebrae to their normal position with gentle exercises to strengthen to new and proper positioning. If you would like to leave the pain and the drugs behind, chiropractic offers a promising solution by dealing with the cause of TMJ.
By Dr. Paul Early, a Seattle Chiropractor at Sound Chiropractic Center.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Chiropractic for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Twenty-five years ago the most common on-the-job injury was a low back strain sprain. However, a shift in work habits and equipment has changed all that. Today it seems that everyone spends most of the workday tied to a computer. Even the plumber and other the other trades access work orders and complete paper work on finished jobs by typing away on a laptop. Enter the new most common on the job injury: tendonitis.
Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon and tendon sheath, most often due to over use. Frequently the cause is too many keystrokes with neck, shoulder and arm muscles locked in a rigid position. Since the tendon sheath is responsible for redirecting the pulling force of muscles around and through joints they are susceptible to wear. Over use depletes the natural lubricant and tendonitis can occur. The resultant symptoms are pain, weakness on muscle contraction, loss of co-ordination, numbness and tingling.
In the past, tennis elbow was the best known tendonitis condition, but today, with virtually everyone using a computer keyboard, carpal tunnel syndrome has taken over first place. What actually causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
The nine small bones that connect your forearms to your hands are called carpals. On the palm side of your hands there is a tunnel through the carpal bones that allows the transport of tendons and nerves. The ligaments that hold everything in place form the roof to this passage way and form the carpal tunnel. With overuse the tendon sheath swells, causes pressure on the adjacent nerves and carpal tunnel syndrome occurs.
Common carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are pain, weakness and lack of co-ordination on grasping objects or attempting keystrokes. Numbness, tingling in the hands is also common and in severe cases wasting of the muscles of hand. In some cases surgery to release the pressure in the tunnel is required to alleviate symptoms.
However, the best experts estimate that 90% of carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis is incorrect. What happens instead is called double-crush syndrome. The nerves that are affected by carpal tunnel syndrome actually start in the neck and pass through the arms before they reach the carpal tunnel. In a vast majority of hand and wrist pain sufferers the damage is done before the nerves reach the carpal tunnel.
Here’s what actually happens: misalignment of the small neck bones called vertebra put pressure on the nerves that supply the arms and hands. That pressure in the neck can cause symptoms in any or every part of the arm. This is the first crush. The second crush in double-crush syndrome happens in the muscles of the forearm when adhesions form in the muscles of the forearm from holding a rigid tense position like the one required for typing.
Before undergoing drug therapy and surgery, check with your chiropractor to see if your neck and forearm are the source of your symptoms. Chiropractors can quickly and accurately assess the problem and frequently just a few chiropractic adjustments and some physical therapy can reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
By Noel G. Lloyd, DC of Sound Chiropractic Center of Northgate, Seattle, WA
Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon and tendon sheath, most often due to over use. Frequently the cause is too many keystrokes with neck, shoulder and arm muscles locked in a rigid position. Since the tendon sheath is responsible for redirecting the pulling force of muscles around and through joints they are susceptible to wear. Over use depletes the natural lubricant and tendonitis can occur. The resultant symptoms are pain, weakness on muscle contraction, loss of co-ordination, numbness and tingling.
In the past, tennis elbow was the best known tendonitis condition, but today, with virtually everyone using a computer keyboard, carpal tunnel syndrome has taken over first place. What actually causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
The nine small bones that connect your forearms to your hands are called carpals. On the palm side of your hands there is a tunnel through the carpal bones that allows the transport of tendons and nerves. The ligaments that hold everything in place form the roof to this passage way and form the carpal tunnel. With overuse the tendon sheath swells, causes pressure on the adjacent nerves and carpal tunnel syndrome occurs.
Common carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are pain, weakness and lack of co-ordination on grasping objects or attempting keystrokes. Numbness, tingling in the hands is also common and in severe cases wasting of the muscles of hand. In some cases surgery to release the pressure in the tunnel is required to alleviate symptoms.
However, the best experts estimate that 90% of carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis is incorrect. What happens instead is called double-crush syndrome. The nerves that are affected by carpal tunnel syndrome actually start in the neck and pass through the arms before they reach the carpal tunnel. In a vast majority of hand and wrist pain sufferers the damage is done before the nerves reach the carpal tunnel.
Here’s what actually happens: misalignment of the small neck bones called vertebra put pressure on the nerves that supply the arms and hands. That pressure in the neck can cause symptoms in any or every part of the arm. This is the first crush. The second crush in double-crush syndrome happens in the muscles of the forearm when adhesions form in the muscles of the forearm from holding a rigid tense position like the one required for typing.
Before undergoing drug therapy and surgery, check with your chiropractor to see if your neck and forearm are the source of your symptoms. Chiropractors can quickly and accurately assess the problem and frequently just a few chiropractic adjustments and some physical therapy can reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
By Noel G. Lloyd, DC of Sound Chiropractic Center of Northgate, Seattle, WA
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