Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic is known as an alternative treatment for health, which consist of a wide range of practice techniques and philosophical beliefs. One of the best ways to chose a chiropractor is through the use of referrals by friends, family, and/or primary care physicians. The key component about these recommendations is how to chose wisely. Asking the proper questions when looking for the best possible referrals. 

With Chiropractic there are many specialties in which a Chiropractic Physician  can continue their educational realm into different specializations (for example: pediatrics, orthopedics, sports injuries), in which doctors are able to become certified in these areas as well as learn specialized techniques to treat theses different injuries and problems.

Here are few links to some of the  specialized certifications (also known as diplomat programs), Chiropractic Physicians are able to be certified in. Also, you are able to look for doctors within your area that specializes in these certifications throughout these links, and provides chiropractic services.

•                International Chiropractic Pediatric Association: http://icpa4kids.org

•                American Chiropractic Board Of Sports Physicians: http://acbsp.com/

•                The Academy Of Chiropractic Orthopedics:http://www.dcorthoacademy.com/

•                American Chiropractic Neurology Board:https://www.acnb.org/

•                American Chiropractic Association (blog on chiropractic specialties):http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=2323

The first question that would be recommended is what is the primary reason for the needed care. Is it for pregnancy, an old sports injury, whiplash or the common low back pain. Once this has been answered, the next step recommended would be to do your research, see who in the area where you are living or moving to, is certified in that particular specialization or if its the typical musculoskeletal injuries (such has back and neck pain).

When contacting a chiropractic center ask the prospective office how many visits during the period of time should it take before you begin to feel better. The best answer to this question would be within the first few visits, and within the first 1-4 weeks pain should be reduced. Normal treatment time would be advisable to come in 3 times a week and decrease the amount of visits as the pain is reduced for that condition.

Another key component is to be advised by the chiropractic center about their current insurance plans they are currently covered under, and if the have cash plans for those who are not covered by heath insurance. Sometimes a chiropractic center may have some form of family discounts or specials running during that month.

Always remember the most important factor in picking a doctor regardless of the profession, is how does the doctor interact with you. Do they give you the personal time with you where the interactions between you as the patient and as the doctor feels like a great doctor/patient bond. Do they seemingly care and genuinely want to make sure they can give you the best possible care. Also, are they willing to refer out to insure your healthcare needs are giving the best treatment possible. This is what makes the best doctors for any profession, especially a chiropractic physician. 

Chiropractic is a holistic approach to treating injuries and a great alternative/co-management for treatment. Through clinical examination, diagnostic testing, laboratory testing, Chiropractic Physicians are able to asses the patient to determine the proper care needed for the best treatment possible. It's a wonderful alternative approach for treatment, and over all care for health and wellness management. 

Discover what chiropractic can do for you, here at our office, Discovery Chiropractic and Wellness Center.  We treat different injuries such as low back pain, neck pain, arthritis, car accident injury (auto accident injury). 

4 Things That Can Cause Sciatica

Understanding what sciatica is and what can cause sciatica, can help tremendously on what would be the most effective way to treat and address the root cause of the underlying problem.

First lets understand what sciatica is. Sciatica is a term used to describe symptoms of leg pain. These symptoms includes, tingling, numbness and/or weakness-that originates from the lower back and travels down the buttocks, down to the sciatic nerve, which is located in the back of the leg.

Sciatica can have one or more of these following symptoms together:

* pain shooting down one or both legs, starting from the buttocks

* pain that occurs when sitting

* pain in the leg that is describe as burning, tingling

* weakness and/or numbness in the leg and/or foot

* sharp shooting pain down the leg that can cause difficulty in standing and walking

Four causes of sciatica are the following:

* Degenerative Disc Disease-disc degeneration is a natural age process, but can also cause nerve root irritation (for example in the low back) which can cause sciatic pain. Degenerative Disc Disease is diagnosed when a weakened disc causes inflammation to the exposed nerve roots, that causes symptoms such as sciatica.

* Piriformis Syndrome- this is where the sciatic nerve becomes irritated as it runs through a tiny muscle located on the buttocks (call the Piriformis). If this muscle is tight or irritated, it can pinch on the nerve root that comprises the sciatic nerve, resulting in sciatic pain.

* Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction- when sacroiliac joint is irritated, it can also irritate the L5 vertebra and this in turn can cause sciatic pain

* Lumbar Bulging Disc/Herniated Disc-A bulging disc or herniated disc is one of the most common causes of sciatic pain. Both are considerate disc disorders.

A bulging disc, is when the gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) remains contain within the anulus fibers of the disc. But, the disc bulges out like a balloon, and can irritate the nerve.

A herniated disc, is when the nucleus pulposus breaks through the anulus fibers, and the gel-like center presses against the nerve, which can also irritate the nerve. Out of the two, the herniated disc is the worst.

Both can cause sciatic pain disorder.

As chiropractors, we diagnose and treat the problem, and find the root cause of the symptoms.  We use several different therapies to help treat sciatic pain, such as ice/heat therapies, ultrasound, TENS units, and most importantly spinal adjustments.

Proper diagnosing is essential to get the corrective care that is needed.

If you're in the Charlotte NC area you can get a sciatica screening now!