Category: Chiropractic

Facet Joints: Gliding Your Way to Better Health

Bottom Line:

 

If you’ve had neck or back pain that you could pinpoint with your finger or felt a sharp pain in your back when moving, the cause may have been some sort of dysfunction with one or more of the facet joints (often the lumbar facet joints) of your spine.

 

So, what are the facet joints?

 

Think of these joints as the “knuckles” of your spine that glide, slide, and stabilize.

 

They both add flexibility to your spine so you’re able to bend and twist your back and also help to keep you from “over doing” any of those motions (i.e., hyperextending or hyper flexing).

 

Needless to say, ensuring your facet joints are functioning at their best is important to making sure you’re able to move freely, and if you think you might need facet joint pain treatment in Mount Pleasant, you’ve come to the right place!

 

Here’s what you should know.

Why it Matters:

 

As we age, our spinal discs also age, and it’s our facet joints – often our lumbar facet joints – that take on the extra load.

 

And, as you may have guessed, this excess stress and pressure can wear them down.

 

This can lead to the development of adhesions, bone spurs, and pain that can all limit our ability to move freely.

 

The good news? Targeted spinal adjustments can help break up adhesions in and around your lumbar facet joints, cervical facet joints, and the other joints in your spine to help reduce pain and restore proper motion.

 

That’s why our team specializes in facet joint pain treatment in Mount Pleasant.

 

To recap, here’s what we know…

 

● The facet joints of your spine slide and glide to allow you to bend and twist your body.

● As we age, adhesions can develop in our facet joints that restrict how well we move.

● Adjustments help break up adhesions surrounding the facets so you can once again move freely and with less pain.

 

 

Chiropractic Care for Lumbar Facet Joint Pain Treatment

 

There’s a wide range of research supporting the use of chiropractic care for the management of adhesions and pain related to the lumbar facet joints and understanding the results of those

studies can help you decide if facet joint pain treatment in Mount Pleasant may be right for you.

 

For your reference, here’s some basic terminology you’ll find helpful when reviewing any such studies:

 

● The facet joints are also referred to as “Z” (zygapophyseal) joints.

● Chiropractic care / adjustments is also referred to as SMT (spinal manipulative therapy).

● The term “gapping” refers to the physical manipulation or mobilization of the joints.

 

In one recent study, researchers set out to understand the effects spinal manipulative therapy and specifically gapping of the “Z” joints can have on the adhesions and pain in the lower back.

 

In other words, they wanted to understand the effects chiropractic adjustments can have on adhesions surrounding the lumbar facet joints and any related low back pain to help evaluate its effectiveness as a facet joint pain treatment option.

 

And as it turns out, they did in fact observe that study participants reported both a reduction in pain and a reduction in restricted movement after receiving chiropractic care.

 

We’ve observed the same in those patients receiving facet joint pain treatment in Mount Pleasant at our clinic.

 

Such results demonstrate why conservative care like chiropractic is recommended as first-line therapy to treat low back and pain related to the facet joints.

Next Steps:

 

The facet joints of your spine – whether we’re talking about the cervical facet joints or lumbar facet joints – crave movement.

 

Movement is medicine, after all!

 

Movement helps the facet joints stay healthy and may even help slow down the effects of aging.

 

Spinal adjustments have been shown to reduce adhesions in these joints and others so you can move more freely and with less pain.

 

When you move better, you feel better, and we’re proud to be a part of the healthcare team that helps you stay active.

 

So, if you’ve been living with back pain and you’re nearby, know we’re here to provide the best facet joint pain treatment in Mount Pleasant, and our compassionate team is just a phone call away.

Relieving Migraine Headaches

The Bottom Line

 

Few things can ruin your day as much as a headache.

Relieving migraine headaches in particular can feel impossible.

They can seemingly appear out of nowhere, though they may hint at their arrival with two other heavy hitters: visual discomfort and nausea.

Whatever the symptoms, a migraine is one visitor you don’t want sticking around.

 

Why it Matters

Take it from the leading chiropractic migraine specialist in Mount Pleasant – knowing when a migraine is starting and understanding what matters when it comes to preventing and relieving migraine headaches is critical to improving your quality of life.

Let’s take a look at the four phases of a migraine headache.

Four Phases of Migraine

 

There are typically four phases of a migraine that many sufferers will experience:

Premonitory

 

This phase is usually the warning that a migraine is coming on. Many people will experience mood swings, neck stiffness, and constipation.

Aura

About 1 in 4 people who suffer from migraines will get an aura.

Migraine sufferers often report visual or sensory auras in the minutes before the actual headache. Visual auras can result in flashing lights and blurred vision, whereas sensory auras affect speech and the ability to think clearly.

Vision problems usually start 20 minutes to an hour before the headache. Even if you don’t get an aura, the headache itself may cause vision trouble.

Headache

 

A migraine headache can be moderate or severe and is likely to occur on only one side of the head. Migraine sufferers will notice that their headaches worsen with physical activity, so rest is critical..

Postdrome

 

The final phase in the migraine cycle is the postdrome. This occurs once the headache ends and leaves the afflicted person feeling exhausted.

 

Treatment Options for Relieving Migraine Headaches

Many migraine headache sufferers do not receive effective care.

For example, in the United States of America and the United Kingdom, it’s estimated that only half of chronic migraine sufferers seek the help of a healthcare professional, despite the often significantly disruptive symptoms.

These include:

● Throbbing headaches of moderate to severe intensity on one side of the head.

● The appearance of nausea and vision changes.

● Recurring episodes can last anywhere from hours to days.

Most are solely reliant on over-the-counter medications even though there are no surefire options that exist for relieving migraine headaches.

Similarly, it’s estimated that half of the people who experience chronic or occasional headaches will fall back on attempting to self-treat with over-the-counter pain medications despite the increased risk of experiencing rebound headaches that can happen as a result of overuse.

When it comes to migraines, this risk here is associated most with aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine combinations.

Of course, based on the symptoms and stages characteristic of most migraines, it’s easy to see why many people aren’t aware that there are non-pharmacological ways to manage their attacks.

Many of our local migraine patients who come in often relay this as a reason they waited so long to find a chiropractic migraine specialist in [your city / town / neighborhood].

Trust us, when the first time the headache comes back is reason enough to see a healthcare professional.

Just like with cervicogenic and tension headaches, it is possible to lessen the frequency, intensity, and severity of your migraines with a combination of lifestyle changes and chiropractic care.

While the cause of migraines is unclear, there are specific triggers that are often attributed to their onset.

Knowing what those triggers are and making proactive changes to any daily habits that may be associated with those triggers is crucially important to finding lasting relief from migraine headaches.

And, in one recent study, researchers observed a significant reduction in migraine days for those participants receiving chiropractic care.

 

Next Steps

 

The good news is that you can start effectively relieving migraine headaches by being proactive with your daily habits.

You know now that making time for periodic chiropractic care is an important step in finding relief from migraine pain, so don’t skip that next (or first!) adjustment.

If you’re looking for a chiropractic migraine specialist in [your city / town / neighborhood], our doors are open and we’re ready to help you find relief!

What about those triggers we mentioned?

Here are some of the most common:

● Consumption of alcoholic or caffeinated drinks and tobacco

● Periods of stress

● Exposure to intense lights or smells

● Periods of intense physical exertion

● Changes to sleeping or eating habits

● Certain medications

● Consumption of aged, salty, or processed foods and certain food additives

Migraine sufferers do well with preventive measures such as diet changes or taking steps to reduce stress.

If you need help determining which triggers are contributing to your headaches, don’t hesitate to ask us during your next appointment.

To ensure you’re on the right path and headed toward lasting relief from your migraines, it’s wise to connect with a healthcare professional.

“Doctor Google” isn’t really a doctor after all!

Our compassionate team has personally dealt with our own share of migraine headaches, and we’re here for you!

From lifestyle optimization advice to chiropractic adjustments and beyond, let us help you put those migraines in the rear view mirror.

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Daily Headaches

The Bottom Line

 

Half of the world’s adult population struggles with headaches at least once a year.

And while headaches can seem like no big deal most of the time, they also cause very real pain that affects your quality of life.

We’ve talked to a number of patients who regularly put off seeing a chiropractor specializing in headaches in [your city / town / neighborhood] to help them find relief because so many of us write off headaches as just another part of life.

But, why learn to live with daily headaches when you can ease them away, naturally?

Read on to learn about the very real benefits of chiropractic care for daily headaches.

 

Why it Matters

 

If you’re here, it’s probably no secret to you that a quick visit to a chiropractor can provide you with the care you need to find actual relief from head, neck, or back pain.

Headaches are among the primary reasons many people in many different countries worldwide see a chiropractor.

Most people think of a visit to the chiropractor when their head, neck, or back hurts for good reason.

We can help you find lasting relief from your headaches in a variety of ways (especially if you’re looking for a chiropractor specializing in headaches in Mount Pleasant.

Here’s a quick overview of the top 3 reasons you can benefit from chiropractic care for daily headaches.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Relieve Headaches

 

1. We Follow a Whole Person Approach

 

We will perform a comprehensive history and examination during your initial assessment. This assessment will help us first determine if your symptoms are the result of any spinal issues. We’ll also rule out other possible causes of your headaches.

Your history and examination can help us identify your headache triggers so we can advise you about the lifestyle changes you need to find relief as part of your chiropractic care for daily headaches.

For example, the foods you eat can contribute to your risk of experiencing frequent headaches.

2. We Administer Person Specific Chiropractic Adjustments and Care

 

Recent studies have shown that chiropractic care can help improve headache pain.

Let’s look at cervicogenic headaches as an example. A cervicogenic headache is referred pain in the head from the neck. It’s what we call a secondary headache because it’s caused by another physical issue in the body.

Researchers studying the efficacy of chiropractic treatment for the care of these headaches have presented findings supporting the use of adjustments to lessen their intensity, frequency, and duration. In other studies, chiropractic adjustments were found to provide more relief than deep massage.

In still other studies, chiropractic care has proven to be helpful for the management of chronic migraines.

In an age where medication overuse is frequent, the effectiveness of chiropractic care for daily headaches is exciting news that more people need to know.

Relying too much on medications to mask your symptoms means that many people may never treat the root cause of their headaches.

Those same people also become more at risk for experiencing medication rebound headaches – yes, you read that right. Medication overuse will almost certainly lead to more headaches.

Chiropractors use a number of safe, non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatments for headaches. These include lifestyle education, manual or device-assisted spinal adjustments, spinal mobilization, heat/ice, massage, advanced soft-tissue therapies, and even strengthening and conditioning exercises as you’ll see next.

Most people are familiar with the hands-on aspect of chiropractic care for daily headaches, and our clinicians are highly trained in performing gentle and effective spinal adjustments. This training allows us to use our hands to apply a small force to a specific spinal j

force is applied, you might hear a slight pop, and some people feel immediate relief!

3. We Give Guidance That Includes Therapeutic Exercises

 

As we just noted, yes, chiropractors often incorporate strengthening and conditioning exercises into their patients’ care plans.

We want you to find lasting relief after all, and movement goes a long way!

Deep neck flexion exercises are great for treating the cervicogenic headaches we covered above.

Other active care techniques and exercises are another component of chiropractic care for daily headaches that can be performed from the comfort of your own home to help you ease your headaches between your appointments.

 

Next Steps:

 

It’s time to bring an end to that throbbing in your head, and we’re here to help!

You don’t need to continue to live in pain.

The benefits of chiropractic care for daily headaches are real.

Movement is a critical part of the healing process, which is why spinal adjustments are so effective and seeing a chiropractor specializing in headaches in Mount Pleasant is so important – yes, we’re talking to you neighbor!

If it’s been some time since your last adjustment or you’re ready for your first, give us a call.

Our team will be with you every step of the way on your road to headache relief!

The Link Between Stress and Headaches

The Bottom Line

Are you feeling rushed? Are you dreading a big meeting at work?

Take it from the leading provider of natural tension headache treatment in Mount Pleasant- these events can all add up to stress and headaches.

Often it’s not the event itself that results in a headache but your body’s reaction to stress.

If you deal with stress by clenching your jaw or tensing your muscles, you may be more likely to experience headaches due to these coping behaviors.

So, why does this happen and what can be done about the stress and headaches cycle? Read on.

Why it Matters

 

Way back when, our bodies evolved our fight or flight response for the purpose of making sure we would be adequately prepared to deal with any of the physical dangers we very realistically could have encountered on a daily basis.

As a result, our heart and breathing rate, blood pressure, and blood flow to our extremities all increase during such an event. It’s this fight or flight response that allowed us to effectively prepare for battle or to flee from predators in the wild.

Of course, we’re still hardwired with this very useful and necessary instinct, but times certainly have changed! Today, our bodies find it more difficult to differentiate between physical danger and psychological stress. We may react to that dreaded big meeting at work with the same internal reactions as if we were being chased by someone or something!

So, how does all this relate to headaches?

If there’s one thing you should understand about stress, it’s that it can and often will worsen your symptoms when you’re not feeling well.

There is a very real link between all kinds of stress and headaches.

Episodic headaches, or those that occur sporadically, are often triggered by isolated, stressful incidents.

A few of the most common everyday stress triggers include anxiety, poor sleep habits, or significant life changes.

Chronic headaches are often triggered by daily, constant stress and a lack of regular exercise.

To help you combat this cycle of stress and headaches, we’ve compiled a list of some of our top tips for reducing stress so you can reduce your headaches.

 

Tips for Reducing Stress and Headaches

Exercise More

 

Regular exercise boosts endorphins, which help put you in a better mood.

Making time to get up, get out, and get moving regularly also helps boost your overall energy levels so you can shift your focus away from whatever event or string of events is stressing you out.

Get Some Sleep

 

We repeat: get some sleep to turn the dial down on stress and headaches.

When you can, aim to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night and do your best to keep your sleep schedule consistent.

Falling asleep at the same time every night and getting up at the same time each morning will help you fall into a healthy sleep pattern.

Recent studies indicate that our sleeping habits can contribute to our risk of experiencing headaches, particularly migraines.

In fact, the majority of people living with chronic migraines and other chronic types of headaches often also experience some level of insomnia.

Relax

 

This is more than just a mantra when it comes to reducing stress and headaches, ladies and gentlemen.

It’s important to set aside time to specifically practice relaxation techniques that can help you feel calm during periods of high stress.

Meditation and yoga are two techniques that can help you feel both physically and mentally relaxed so you can mitigate the onset of stress.

See a Chiropractor

 

Keeping your spinal joints moving correctly can help reduce the strain on your spine and its supporting muscles.

Chiropractic care can help you relieve pent-up stress in your body and get you feeling better quickly.

So, come see us for natural tension headache treatment in Mount Pleasant.

Tension headaches are triggered when the neck and scalp muscles become tense or contract, and this often occurs when we hold our heads in one position for an extended period of time. Many people spend their days working at a desk, and doing so for hours on end usually results in an uptick in tension headaches. Sleeping with your neck in an awkward position may also trigger a tension headache.

Recent studies have shown that chiropractic care can help headache patients find lasting relief.

Chiropractic adjustments to specific joints in the neck, upper body, back, and other extremities can help correct the physical imbalances behind those tension headaches so you not only move better but feel better.

 

Next Steps

 

So, can stress cause headaches? Yes.

While there is a link between stress and headaches, now you know there are very simple, real ways you can combat this cycle.

Remember, when you feel your stress levels starting to rise, take a moment to practice your favorite relaxation techniques.

Make time for essential preventative self-care like daily exercise, balanced meals, and balanced sleep.

And be sure to periodically schedule visits with your favorite chiropractic team.

If you’re interested in natural tension headache treatment in Mount Pleasant, we’d love to help you!

Our expert team will work together with you to keep your body relaxed and moving well to help you find lasting relief from stress and headaches.

What Type of Headache Do You Have?

The Bottom Line

 

Headaches are experienced a little bit differently by everyone. Patients at our chiropractic headache clinic in Mount Pleasant may report feeling tired or that they’re dealing with some blurred vision or that they have a chronically stiff neck – you name it. Often, they find themselves unable to function for the day because of their headaches.

But, while the symptoms may vary, all types of headaches have one thing in common — they are not “normal” to deal with frequently.

If you’ve been doing your best to live with recurring headaches, it’s time to figure out the type or types of headaches you’re dealing with.

Why it Matters

As you probably know all too well, there are many different types of headaches.

Knowing which one you have is the first step toward finding relief and the best way to do that is to consult with a healthcare professional.

And if you’ve been looking for a chiropractic headache clinic in [your city / town / neighborhood], you’ve come to the right place.

Our doors are open and we’re here to help.

Here’s an overview of the most common types of headaches that people from all walks of life experience.

 

Most Common Types of Headaches

 

Migraine

Migraines come in all shapes and sizes. Typically you’ll feel a throbbing on one side of your head.

This type of headache can be excruciating and can last up to 3 days.

You will likely feel nauseous and may be sensitive to light, sound, or smell.

Here are a few additional key facts about migraine types of headaches:

● These headaches are thought to be related to the release of inflammatory substances in the head.

● Migraine-type headaches are twice as common in women because of hormonal influences.

● Migraines often tend to pass quicker in children.

 

Tension Headache

Tension types of headaches are very common and affect up to 20% of the population.

They can also appear when you’re experiencing a migraine.

Tension headaches usually consist of constant dull pain on both sides of the head as a result of tense or contracted neck and scalp muscles, and these types of headaches can last anywhere from a few hours to several days.

Stress, anxiety, and depression are a few common triggers of tension headaches. You could experience these types of headaches as the result of dehydration, loud noises, a lack of sleep, or even not getting enough exercise as well.

While that may seem like a long list with some potentially unavoidable triggers, the good news is that a number of them can be addressed as part of a healthy overall lifestyle.

Here are a few additional key facts about tension types of headaches:

● Tension-type headaches are the most commonly experienced headache.

● This headache is described as pressure or tightness, often like a band around the head.

● The pain associated with tension headaches can sometimes spread into or come from the neck.

 

Cluster Headache

 

Unlike migraine headaches, cluster types of headaches are usually experienced more by men than by women.

Those experiencing this type of headache generally feel an intense burning or even a piercing feeling behind or around one of their eyes.

Cluster types of headaches usually come when you least expect them and can last anywhere from approximately 15 minutes to 3 hours.

Here are a few additional key facts about cluster types of headaches:

● Cluster-type headaches affect fewer than 1 in 1000 adults and affect six men for every woman.

● Cluster headaches, while often brief, can occur up to several times a day.

● Those experiencing these types of headaches may have tearing and redness in the eye or a blocked nasal passage affected side.

 

Next Steps

 

We all deal with headaches every now and then, so we often don’t perceive them as serious enough to warrant a clinic visit.

In fact, it’s estimated that half of the people who deal with headaches are self-treating.

That may be why many people are not aware that there are effective headache treatment options that are natural, non-invasive, and that don’t involve prescription or over-the-counter pain medications.

That may be why many of the patients we see at our chiropractic headache clinic in [your city / town / neighborhood] are surprised to learn that overuse of medications intended to relieve their headaches can actually lead to more headaches!

So, if you’re having trouble with migraine, tension, or cluster headaches, give us a call today.

Recent studies have shown that chiropractic care can play a big part in reducing the intensity, severity, and frequency of many common headaches without those risky medications.

Our compassionate team will work with you to identify the root cause of your headaches and we’ll provide the gentle, movement-based care chiropractors are known for to help you break free from your headache pain.

How to Prevent Sciatica Pain

Bottom Line:

As we discuss how to prevent sciatica pain with our sciatica patients, we often notice
that many of them will make the comment that they don’t know how they hurt their back
when they start receiving treatment.

And that’s a completely logical statement to make.

It’s easy to understand how lifting a heavy object at work or sustaining a blow of some
kind or simply moving in an awkward fashion could result in an injury to your back.

The pain that comes with that injury tells you that you could have pinched a nerve and
that’s why you’re experiencing sciatica symptoms.

Completely understandable.

But, what we’re about to tell you as we dive into how to prevent sciatica pain naturally
may surprise you.

Research has shown that too much sitting may be one of the most common reasons
you find yourself experiencing that sciatica pain.

That’s also completely understandable.

As the leading sciatica pain specialist in Mount Pleasant, we’ve seen
the very real impact sitting too much has on our patients.

Here’s why.

Why it Matters:

When you spend hours per day sitting down, the muscles that support your low back
aren’t regularly activated, so they can start to atrophy or weaken.

This can lead to imbalances in your back that then result in increased pressure and
stress on your spine.

Without the support of the stabilizing muscles your spine relies on to keep your
vertebrae, discs, and nerves in balance and aligned, you’re more likely to injure your
back.

To put that in perspective, we’ve seen patients who’ve injured their back from lifting
lightweight items around the house.

Fortunately, the “how” in how to prevent sciatica pain is probably even easier than you
think.

We like to say “motion is lotion” for your body.

When it comes to how to prevent sciatica pain, movement-based care is at the top of
the list.

Stretching, for example, before and after any physical activity can help you both
improve your flexibility and reduce your chances of experiencing a number of avoidable
injuries.

Modern research also indicates that consistent exercise can stop or even reverse the
effects of too much sitting.

Incorporating just 30 minutes of exercise each day can help strengthen the supporting
muscles around your spinal column to help prevent future episodes of sciatica.

Other recent studies tell us that getting periodic spinal adjustments can have a part to
play in both the correction and prevention of conditions that can cause sciatica pain.

In fact, the top research journal SPINE found that maintained chiropractic care can
evaluate, detect, and potentially prevent future disc problems and low back pain
episodes.

In other words, chiropractic can be a very effective “how” when you’re considering the
actual steps of how to prevent sciatica pain and the recurrence of symptoms.

If you’re looking for a sciatica pain specialist in Mount Pleasant that
takes a holistic approach, you’ve come to the right place.

When most people think of chiropractic care, they typically picture “getting their back
and neck cracked.”

While It is true that chiropractic adjustments are a big part of the chiropractic treatment
of sciatica, we actually use a variety of treatment methods to address sciatic nerve
impingement and pain.

As chiropractors, we take a whole-body (holistic) approach to health and healing.
We combine techniques like adjustments, massage, exercise, nutritional advice, and
weight loss management to create a wellness plan unique to each individual.

Next Steps:

We’ve seen our patients enjoy significant relief from sciatica pain and improved mobility
with continued chiropractic care.

Maintaining your body with movement-based care is key in how to prevent sciatica pain.
We recommend including regular chiropractic care in addition to implementing some
level of planning to help get and keep you moving daily.

Even if time is tight most days, taking a few minutes every hour to get up and walk
around can go a long way.

Starting small is better than not starting at all!

And, as days become weeks, months, and years, the exercise you do now will pay huge
dividends down the road to keep you happy, healthy, and pain-free.

If you have struggled with recurrent or chronic sciatica pain, you’re not limited to
invasive surgical procedures, injections, or prescription pain medications to find relief.
You deserve better.

Schedule an appointment with a holistically focused sciatica pain specialist in Mount Pleasant like us.

We’ll work together to pinpoint the root cause of your pain and come up with a plan that
can help you get and stay out of pain for years to come.

You deserve nothing less!

 

The Top Causes of Sciatica Revealed

Bottom Line:

Here’s something that might surprise you as you dive into the top causes of sciatica.

Sciatica is not a condition, disorder, or diagnosis in and of itself.

Sciatica pain can be described as dull, achy, sharp, or shooting pain in the lower back
and hip, buttock, and leg on one side of the body.

Some may also experience burning, numbness, or tingling sensations.

When someone says they “have sciatica,” what they really have is a very specific set of
symptoms hinting at an underlying condition.

Many of our sciatica patients often comment that they don’t know how they hurt their
back.

Well, that actually makes sense.

What is that underlying condition 99.9% of the time?

Most all the top causes of sciatica are linked to the irritation, compression, or
impingement of a sciatic nerve.

How do we know this?

When a nerve is compressed or irritated — be it from a herniated spinal disc, bone spur,
or ligament overgrowth — it can become inflamed and painful.

And, as you may have noticed, the causes we just listed aren’t isolated to injuries.

Why it Matters:

Not all of the top causes of sciatica are injury driven in the traditional sense.

Natural changes that occur as we age, the pressure of gravity, and even stenosis
(narrowing of the spinal column) can also contribute to the development of compressed
or “pinched” nerves and sciatica pain.

The two sciatic nerves (or, more specifically, nerve bundles) are the longest nerves in
the body and for that reason, there are lots of opportunities for either one to become
irritated.

These are the major nerves to your legs, and they provide the sensation and motor
fibers that allow you to stand up, walk, and run.

That should give you a better idea of how any irritation to either sciatic nerve related to
the top causes of sciatica can result in those very noticeable and often disruptive
symptoms.

Think of your nerves like small, high-powered electrical lines.

They transmit signals from the power station — your central nervous system — out to
all of the muscles, organs, and cells in your body.

The electrical lines or nerves in your low back travel down your hips, buttocks, and legs
to your feet to your toes.

If the nerve is irritated at the power station, it will affect everything along the path of that
line.

That is why a spinal disc irritating a nerve in your low back can result in pain down into
your leg!

Sciatica pain can occur at any point along the course of either sciatic nerve depending
on where the irritation exists, and it can then radiate from there.

It’s possible to experience sciatica symptoms without low back pain.

It’s possible the pain in your leg isn’t related to an impingement of its sciatic nerve.

That’s why it’s so important to seek sciatica treatment in Mount Pleasant                                                                                           from a healthcare professional who not only has an in-depth
understanding of the top causes of sciatica pain, but of pain in the lower extremities as
well.

Back to our analogy.

Just like your local power company needs to perform maintenance on their equipment,
you should also perform periodic maintenance on your body.

Many people just don’t know that many of the top causes of sciatica pain can often be
resolved without the need for surgery, spinal injections, or pain medications prescribed
by an MD.

Staying active with daily exercise, stretching, and periodic chiropractic care can help
prevent issues in your low back.

Chiropractic care is an ideal treatment for sciatica pain because it can directly address
the root cause of that pain.

In fact, in one recent study researchers observed that over 90% of patients with
symptomatic sciatica reported being “much better” or “better” after receiving chiropractic
care.

Next Steps:

Periodic chiropractic care has the potential to increase your flexibility and range of
motion, help keep your spinal discs healthy, and it could even prevent future episodes
of back pain and the development of the top causes of sciatica.

In our practice, we utilize various treatments, including adjustments, to correct spinal
conditions such as herniated discs and minor vertebral displacements (subluxations) as
well as joint restrictions related to scar tissue and muscle spasms to both help relieve
your sciatica pain and prevent it from recurring.

So, if you don’t have your next visit on the books, be sure to reserve your appointment
today!

And if you’re considering booking your first appointment, know that you don’t need a
referral to see a chiropractor like us specializing in sciatica treatment in Mount Pleasant.

Simply pick up the phone, book online, or send us a message to get started.

A little maintenance today can go a long way towards a healthier tomorrow, and we’re
here to help.

What You Need to Know About Sciatica

Bottom Line:

Let’s dive right into what you need to know about sciatica.

To understand what sciatica is, it helps to think of sciatica more as a set of symptoms
than a condition.

When you hear someone say they “have sciatica,” what they have is pain, numbness,
or tingling that starts in their low back or buttocks and extends through the lower
extremity on one side of their body.

And wow, can it hurt!

It can also become chronic.

That’s why it’s a smart idea to seek out a chiropractor specializing in sciatica treatment
in Mount Pleasant.

Here’s what you need to know about sciatica and how it develops.

If a nerve in your low back is compressed or “pinched”, your body is sure to let you
know about it with a jolt of pain.

The sciatic nerves are the longest nerves in the body.

Several individual branches or nerve roots in your lower back combine to form the
sciatic nerves which travel down into each of your legs.

Although you have two sciatic nerves (one on each side of your body), sciatica
symptoms typically only occur on one side of the body as noted above.

If you have radiating pain down both of your legs, it is less likely that the pain is caused
by a pinched sciatic nerve.

Some of the common symptoms people experience when one of the sciatic nerves is
pinched or irritated include:

● Increased leg pain when sitting.
● Weakness in the leg or foot.
● Sharp pain that makes it difficult to walk.

Such symptoms need no introduction.

They’re probably what lead you to take some time to find out what you need to know
about sciatica.

Pain is your body’s way of saying “pay attention inside now!”

Each of the above symptoms is a warning sign from your body.

It’s your body’s way of letting you know you’ve pushed past its limits.
The good news?

With the proper care and a little time, you can get your life back!

Why it Matters:

Did you know that sciatica often resolves without you having to resort to risky
medications or a dangerous surgery?

No – we’re not talking about sciatica pain that seemingly disappears on its own.
This is really what you need to know about sciatica and to commit to memory.

Trust us, that pain will return if the underlying issue is not addressed.

In fact, we’ve heard many of our sciatica patients describe their symptoms as sciatica
attacks for this very reason – they come back!

Chiropractic is a safe, effective, natural, and popular treatment strategy for sciatica pain.
The numbers don’t lie.

In one widely circulated study, researchers observed that 89% of patients suffering from
symptomatic sciatica responded very well to chiropractic adjustments.

As the leading chiropractor specializing in sciatica treatment in Mount Pleasant,                                                                              we’ve seen it time and time again right here in our practice.

Movement-based strategies such as spinal adjustments, controlled exercise, and
dynamic stretching are a few of the most effective ways to relieve low back issues.

This is also what you need to know about sciatica.

Chiropractic care currently ranks at the top of many leading healthcare organizations’
recommendations to relieve sciatica and low back pain.

Medications and injections and surgeries are no longer considered first-line treatments
both because of their inherent risks and, ultimately, limited effectiveness.

And not only are movement-based strategies effective at providing relief, but research
also indicates these may be able to offer a preventative effect when continued over
time.

If you’ve thought about therapy that doesn’t include spinal mobilization, here’s
something else to consider…

A recent study found that 20% more study participants experienced sciatica pain relief
when spinal adjustments were included with a regular exercise routine.

Next Steps:

Sciatica pain has the potential to severely impact your quality of life.

But when it comes to what you need to know about sciatica, rest assured that you don’t
need to immediately resort to medications, injections, or surgery to correct the problem.

Top research publications have shown that risky prescription pain medications are
hardly ever more effective than a spinal adjustment.

The best way to treat sciatica is with the care offered in our practice.

Spinal adjustments, stretching, and exercise have all been shown to be extremely
effective at reducing sciatica pain by reducing the pinching (or compression) on your
spinal nerves.

Starting with chiropractic care is the smartest decision you can make.

If you or someone you know is struggling with sciatica pain, schedule an appointment
with a chiropractor specializing in sciatica treatment in Mount Pleasant
like us today.

Our doors are open, and our expert team is here to help!

Sciatica and Movement Based Care

Bottom Line:
Nearly everyone will have back pain at some point in their life, but with sciatica — well,
you’ll know something is different right away!

So, what is sciatica?

What is sciatica pain like?

Sciatica really describes a set of symptoms rather than a condition.

The most common symptom can be described as pain that begins in your lower back,
travels down through your buttocks, and extends down your leg, usually on just one side
of the body.

That shooting pain down your leg is often caused by compression of the sciatic nerve or
one or more of the other nerves exiting your spine.

And it might surprise you to know that even a tiny amount of pressure can result in a
tremendous amount of pain.

So, getting rid of the associated inflammation and then opening up space for the nerve
are both essential steps on the path to finding relief.

That’s where we come in.

If you’re looking for a chiropractic-focused sciatica doctor in Mount Pleasant, you’ve come to the right place.

We specialize in providing gentle spinal manipulative therapy to help you fix your
sciatica pain naturally.

Sciatica pain leads many people to think their “condition” must be so serious it can only
be healed by a surgeon.

Or that they must need spinal injections.

Or that they must resort to prescription pain medications.

We’ve even heard patients refer to their pain as sciatica attacks!

So, when they are told that chiropractic treatment can provide the same level of pain
relief as those invasive interventions — well, it sounds too good to be true.

Why it Matters:

Let’s talk about the function of pain for a moment.

Pain is your body’s way of signaling to you that something needs your attention.
So, what is sciatica pain?

A signal.

Think of it as your body saying, “Pay Attention Inside Now!”.

When a problem occurs in the body, due to ergonomic stress, spinal misalignment, or
degenerative changes, the body uses pain as a signal for us to pay attention and act.

And believe it or not, pain is usually the last thing to show up and the first thing to leave,
whether we’re talking about injuries or spinal conditions.

To understand why we recommend seeing a chiropractic sciatica doctor in [your city /
town / neighborhood] and why our non-invasive methods work, it helps to take a closer
look at a common underlying cause of sciatica pain.

Just like you’ve probably Googled “What is sciatica?” a time or two in your life, you’ve
probably also Googled “What is a pinched nerve?”

The pinching or compression of a spinal nerve can occur because of an injury to one of
your spinal discs (such as disc herniation), the development of a bone spur, or even
ligaments that have simply increased in size.

Whatever the underlying issue, it’s likely to cause noticeable levels of pain and
discomfort until you’ve taken steps to decrease the inflammation and open up space for
the affected nerve, and, in many cases, also taken steps to also improve the movement
of the surrounding spinal joints.

Check, check, and check!

We can help.

You don’t have to live in pain, and you don’t have to settle for surgery, injections, or pain
medications.

You deserve better.

So, what is sciatica?

A set of very specific symptoms signaling the presence of an underlying condition that
chiropractic care can help resolve — no surgery, injections, or pain medications
required.

Top research publications have shown that people struggling with sciatica pain can get
fantastic results with chiropractic care.

In fact, in one recent study, researchers found that 60% of participants with
symptomatic cases of sciatica benefitted from chiropractic adjustments to the same
degree as if they underwent surgical intervention (again, without any of the risks!).

And what many may not know is that beyond adjustments, exercise and rehab can also
help strengthen the muscles supporting your spine to reduce the likelihood of a relapse.

Yes, we do that too!

Next Steps:

There’s no doubt about it.

A seemingly sudden onset of pain, numbness, or weakness in your legs that can be
scary.

So, if you experience any of these symptoms, take the signals from your body seriously,
and give us a call.

We’ve helped many people recover from sciatica without the need for drugs or surgery.
Scheduling an evaluation with a holistically focused sciatica doctor in Mount Pleasant like us today is how you take the first step towards finding lasting relief from sciatica pain!

How to Stretch Your Way to Better Health

Bottom Line:

Life is motion.

“Motion is lotion” for your body.

You get the idea.

The point is that moving every day is crucially important to your overall health and wellness, and
stretching (and knowing how to stretch properly) is just as important to making sure you’re
moving well.

The truth is, stretching is an often overlooked element of self care.

That’s a big part of why we offer stretch therapy in [your city / town / neighborhood].

Many of us think the need to stretch applies only to athletes or that we need to commit to yoga
for stretching to help us at all.

That’s simply not true.

Consider this.

When you wake up in the morning or stir from a nap, what’s the first thing you tend to do?
Stretch!

It’s almost as if your body is trying to tell you something, isn’t it?

Incorporating stretches and exercises that focus on flexibility into your daily routine, whatever it
may be, can help your body maintain the ability to move through its full range of motion without
pain.

The benefits are real.

For example, improving the mobility of your mid-back (thoracic spine) can go a long way
towards reducing your low back pain, improving your posture, and even decreasing your
likelihood of experiencing shoulder issues.

All that said, there are right and wrong ways to stretch.

Knowing the differences and understanding how to stretch with proper technique will help you
stay more energized throughout the day and can also improve the flexibility of your joints.

Read on.

Why it Matters:

There are two main types of stretches: static and dynamic.

Static stretching involves stretching different parts of the body to the point of tension (not pain).

When “cold” muscles are stretched in this manner, the stretch itself may actually contribute
to muscle tightness, so it’s best to perform these stretches with warm muscles.

Unlike static stretching which involves moving a joint to a point of slight discomfort and holding it
for a length of time, dynamic stretching is based on movement and can be used to warm up
muscles.

Dynamic stretching is about moving your body through your common ranges of motion with the
goal of increasing your range of motion with each repetition of the stretch.

Pilates exercises for example involve a lot of dynamic stretching.

When done routinely, dynamic stretching can help release muscle tension, increase energy
levels, and improve the delivery of nutrients to your muscles.

If you need help getting started with stretch therapy in [your city / town / neighborhood], be sure
to give our team a call (yes, we do that too!).

While you can stretch anytime, anywhere, knowing how to stretch with proper technique is key.
Stretching incorrectly can do more harm than good.

First and foremost, never stretch to the point of pain.

Remember that your primary goal is also to achieve and maintain equal flexibility from side to
side – not to outright achieve the flexibility of a gymnast.

That said, concentrate your stretches on major muscle groups like your hips, low back, and
neck and shoulders, and supplement with stretching any other joints and muscles that you
routinely use each day.

That may sound like a lot at first glance but stretching is truly for anyone and can be worked into
every routine.

To bring it all full circle, let’s review a few of the top benefits of stretching.

 Improved flexibility. Stretching helps keep your muscles and joints limber.
 Increased energy. Stretching can help improve overall circulation and nutrient delivery
which can help you feel more energized.
 Better posture. Consistent stretching can help improve alignment and posture over time.

Next Steps:

Remember, it’s best to save the static stretching sessions for the end of workouts or after you’ve
enjoyed any of your favorite physical activities.

Otherwise, we recommend incorporating dynamic stretching into your routine approximately 2-3
days a week.

No matter how many articles you read about how to stretch, there’s one common theme you’ll
notice…

 

Skipping regular stretching means that you risk losing the potential benefits, and even 5 to 10
minutes of stretching at a time can be helpful.

What’s more, stretching regularly can also help boost the results of your chiropractic
adjustments.

If you already run 2-3 days a week, you can perform dynamic stretches that include walking
lunges and knee lifts before you start your run.

Alternatively, you could use that time to perform your favorite yoga or Pilates inspired dynamic
stretches.

We like to recommend the “cat-cow” yoga position for our patients regularly dealing with low
back pain.

To do this exercise, move to the floor and prop yourself up on your hands and knees with a
neutral spine.

Next, arch your back and push your stomach towards the ground and tilt your chin up high.

To complete the movement, take a breath, round your back and bring your chin to your chest.

We hope all this information has helped give you a better idea about how to stretch your way to
better health.

If you have questions about the best dynamic stretches for your activity level or you’re ready to
get started with stretch therapy in [your city / town / neighborhood], our team is here to help, and
we’re only a call or click away!