What You Need To Know About Sciatica

What is "sciatica"? The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that originates in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. Get the details below:

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/what-you-need-know-about-sciatica

See the page on Rick Jardon's site about the condition and watch our video, or read about other conditions

On Spinal Stenosis

While the term “stenosis” comes from Greek and means a “choking”, spinal stenosis, however, has little in common with choking. So what is spinal stenosis?

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spinal-stenosis/what-spinal-stenosis

Muscle Strain video by Dr. Jardon

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia symptoms are quite common but non-specific. However, the constellation of symptoms can often suggest a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Read more about it with the link below and consult your chiropractor for treatment tips:

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-symptoms

Video: Dr. Jardon Explains Ligament Sprains

 

 Learn more about Ligament Sprains on Dr. Jardon's page. Click here.

Sciatica and Your First Time Visit - With Dr. Rick Jardon - VIDEO!

What is sciatica? The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that originates in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. Get the details in this link or watch Dr. Jardon's video below as he demonstrates on a real patient.

Additional info:

How is a patient evaluated to determine chiropractic treatment? Read it all here:
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/evaluation-patient

What reactions are possible following chiropractic adjustments?
In the course of being treated by a doctor of chiropractic for spinal derangement or subluxations, certain reactions may be experienced by the patient receiving the chiropractic adjustment. Read all about the possibilities here:
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/reactions-following-a-chiropractic-adjustment

What Causes A Pinched Nerve?

So, what causes a pinched nerve?

Nerves exit the spinal cord from between every 2 vertebrae in an area called the intervertebral foramen (IVF). Anything that protrudes into that space or decreases that space, can pinch the nerve. The most common causes of this are herniated or bulged discs, degenerated discs, bone spurs and misaligned vertebrae.

How do you know whether you have a pinched nerve?

Pain, numbness and tingling or weakness into your arms or legs as well as neck and back pain are the most common symptoms.

The more severe the "pinch" the greater the likelihood that the symptoms travel to your arms and/or legs.

Besides just the type of symptoms, it is often made worse by certain movements that close the IVF further. For example, combine tilting your head to the side, turning it to the same side and then extend it back like you're trying to look at the ceiling. Do you feel those symptoms or does it make it worse?

So, what do you do if you have a pinched nerve?

The first thing is to get examined and xrayed to see what's causing it. Sometimes an MRI is needed as well. Once that is known, proper treatment can be implemented. If caught early, your chances are pretty good that treatment will resolve the episode.

Mind Your Posture!

Are You Mindful of Your Posture? We often hear that good posture is essential for good health, but very few people have a real grasp of the importance and necessity of good posture, or the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture is the correct alignment of body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity. Follow this advice for standing, sitting and lying properly: When sitting, keep your feet flat on the floor with a   small gap between the back of your knees and the front of your seat. Your knees should be at or below the level of your hips. When standing, bear your weight primarily on the balls of your feet and keep your knees slightly bent. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart and your earlobes should be in line with your shoulders to keep your head from jutting forward, backward or to the side. Avoid sitting or standing in the same position for long periods of time. Sleep with a pillow and avoid lying on your stomach. If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your legs. If you sleep on your back, keep a pillow under your knees.

Understanding Spinal Stenosis

Understanding Spinal Stenosis

As we age changes cause spaces in the spine to narrow and put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves as they branch out. This can result in leg pain, weakness, or numbness that gets worse when walking or standing, and improves when sitting or bending forward.

» Find out More

When medications and injections fail to provide pain relief , your doctor may refer you to a spine surgeon for traditional lumbar decompression surgery. The surgery removes the bone and soft tissue putting pressure on your nerves and causing your pain. While effective, the traditional procedure typically requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay.

You may have an alternative to traditional surgery.
Learn more about the Steps Clinical Study for the Minimally-invasive Totalis™ Procedure.

What is the Totalis™ System?

 

The Totalis™ system is a set of specialized instruments that perform the surgical procedure through a small tube that is about the diameter of a dime. Through this tube, doctors use the specialized Totalis™ instruments to remove the tissue and bone that are compressing the spinal nerves, while using X-ray images to precisely guide the procedure.

The Totalis™ system is FDA cleared, and currently being offered at select spine centers as part of the STEPS Clinical Trial.

The Totalis™ system is:

• Minimally-invasive alternative to traditional spine surgery
• Does not require general anesthesia
• Allows most patients to return home the same day

» Learn more about the Steps Clinical Study for the Totalis™ Procedure and find Study locations

Visit these additional resources to learn more about spinal stenosis:

• About Totalis™ for Spinal Stenosis
• See if you might qualify for the STEPS Trial, and to get connected directly with the local spine center in your area.

Spring Forward into Spring Cleaning

With March comes the start of spring...and spring cleaning.

Household chores can come with unwanted pain if not done carefully. Bending and/or twisting at the waist is a common cause for upper and lower back pain. From washing dishes, to vacuuming, you'd be surprised to know that having a proper technique can prevent you from experiencing back or neck pain. 

Back-Saving Tips for Chores:

• When you wash dishes, open the cabinet beneath the sink, bend one knee and put your foot on the shelf under the sink. Lean against the counter so some of your weight is supported in front.


• When ironing, raise one foot a bit. Place it on a small stool or a book to take some strain off your back.


• To vacuum, use a "fencer's stance." Put all your weight on one foot, then step forward and back with the other foot as you push the vacuum forward and back. Use the back foot as a pivot when you turn.


• Use a cold pack if your back begins to hurt. Wrap an ice pack in a towel moistened with warm water. The warmth gives way to gradual cold, which likely will alleviate the discomfort. (No ice? Try frozen veggies instead.)


• If pain persists for more than a day or two or if you experience numbness after doing chores, tingling or weakness in your arms or legs, see a doctor of chiropractic.

Chiropractic News - Overweight Boys Higher Rsk of Knee Pain as Adults

Overweight boys may have higher risk of knee pain as adults
Excessive weight during childhood was linked to knee pain, stiffness and dysfunction among adult men, according to an Australian study in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. However, researchers found that overall childhood overweight measures were not significantly associated with knee problems. MedPage Today (free registration) (3/19)