When most of us sneeze, we put it down to a cold or even allergies, and our first thoughts are to pop an antihistamine pill – not to call a chiropractor! But did you know that a chiropractor could help you overcome your allergy problems? Most people associate chiropractors with back and neck issues, and while it’s true that chiropractors can help with such health conditions, they can also help the body achieve optimum health by ensuring the spine is correctly aligned.

A study from the University of California [1] found that signals from the nervous system may influence the function of the immune system. While our immune system is there to fight against viruses, disease and infection, and helps to keep the body performing at its peak, it also works to dispel foreign contaminants that enter the body. When we sneeze because of an allergy, it’s because our body detects the presence of a foreign object in the system, such as dust, mites, pollen, etc. and it produces chemicals to neutralize and expel the allergens. These chemicals are known as histamines. In the case of allergies, the immune system overreacts to the presence of the allergens in the body.

A chiropractor may help by removing the nerve interference caused by spinal misalignments and as a result the immune system is able to function optimally once more.

Most traditional treatments for allergies, such as antihistamines, only deal with managing the symptoms and don’t eliminate the cause. The safety of anti-allergy medication is under debate, the long-term use of antihistamines or combined with other medication may cause cancer. A study conducted in lab rats with brand name anti-allergy medication found that cancerous tumors in the rats grew much father with the intake of antihistamines [2].

A chiropractor treats the patient by removing the stresses on the patient’s nervous system, which as a result causes the immune system to work more effectively and as a consequence allergies are thereby reduced. Patients with misaligned spinal vertebra may have pinched nerves, which apply pressure and stress the system. Once the trapped nerve is released, the nervous system in general is free from stress and the body can then work more effectively to neutralize the allergy-causing chemicals found in the body.

Spinal health is as beneficial to the body as is good nutrition. A chiropractor can help the body to achieve optimal health and can help to improve the quality of life.

[1] Goetzl EJ, Voice JK, Shen S, Dorsam G, Kong Y, West KM, Morrison CF, Harmar AJ., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 Nov 20;98(24):13854-9. Epub 2001 Nov 6.

[2] Brandes LJ, Simons KJ, Bracken SP, Warrington RC., J Clin Oncol. 1994 Jun;12(6):1281-90.

This is a great video explaining pain.  I hope this video gives you a better understanding why treating back pain can be so complicated.

Many people use the term sciatica incorrectly. Sciatica is pain along the path of the sciatic nerve which extends from the lower back down each leg. Sciatica is a symptom (like itching), it is not a diagnosis (like Parkinson’s disease). Sciatica can range from an occasional nuisance to excruciating pain that makes walking near impossible. There can be multiple underlying reasons for your sciatic nerve pain. A chiropractor can help find the root cause of the problem with an exam and may also order some diagnostic imaging such as an x-ray, MRI or CT scan to examine the underlying structures.

To answer the question, ‘what is sciatica’ it is helpful to explain some of the relevant anatomical structures. The sciatic nerve is both the longest and the widest nerve in your body. It begins in the lower back as five separate nerves that extend from five different vertebrae – L4, L5, S1, S2, and S3. These nerves meet up to form one large bundle which runs through the buttocks and down the entire length of the leg. The sciatica nerve is responsible (directly or indirectly) for nearly all the sensation in your leg including the skin of the thigh and gluts.

Sciatica occurs when there is compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. The pain is felt in the low back and leg, but the site of the pain isn’t always the site of the underlying issue. Since the sciatica nerve is so long and travels around or through the large muscles of the buttocks, it takes an expert to determine if the pain is coming from disc compression, from muscle spasms or from something else. Again, sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis.

While sciatica is most often associated with pain, other symptoms may be present such as tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness. The pain can be nearly constant or intermittent. If you think you are experiencing sciatic nerve pain, keep a record of the location, duration and intensity of the pain. Your specific history plays an important role in determining the cause of the pain.

Treatment for sciatica depend on the underlying cause, so there is no one recommended course of treatment for all sciatic pain sufferers. Chiropractors use a variety of non-invasive approaches that include spinal decompression, spinal manipulation, and Active Release Techniques. They’ll also discuss the role that nutrition and hydration play in reducing tissue inflammation and keeping discs healthy. The spine, discs, muscles and soft tissue all have a role to play in sciatica and should be evaluated and treated as a connected system.

The most important thing to take away from this article is that sciatica (sciatic nerve pain) is a symptom of an underlying condition. You’ll only start to get better once the underlying condition is identified and this is done through a combination of an exam, history and recommended diagnostic imaging.  If you are suffering from Sciatica call us today at (703) 912-7822 or visit us at Chiropractor in Springfield, VA to learn more.

How is it that chiropractic health care can be so effective across so broad a range of conditions?

The key is that chiropractic care focuses on restoring more normal function within the nerve system. The nerve system is responsible for directing and coordinating all the functions in your body. When the nerve system works right, your body can begin to recover effectively from many kinds of problems.

Chiropractors are specialists in analyzing and correcting nerve interference, Chiropractic care restores the free flow of information between your brain and the rest of your body. When your body’s physiologic systems receive accurate information – on time and in the right sequences – they can do the jobs they were designed to do. The result is dynamic, vibrant, fully expressed health and well-being.  To learn more about chiropractic and how it affects your nervous system visit us at http://www.NovaChiroWellness.com

Neck pain is a very common problem that we treat at my chiropractic office in Springfield, VA.  It can come from, well, a lot of places.  It can come from laying crooked while watching TV, it can come from sleeping in a draft, it can come as a response to a cold or flu, it can hurt because of a sinus infection (“referred pain”); it can arise from an injury like car accidents, it can come from over lifting or carrying, it can come from pinching the phone between your ear and shoulder, or it can even come from “stress.” Rare, but dangerous, causes include bleeding inside the head during a stroke or, neck pain due to a heart attack. Obviously, these must be emergently evaluated and treated. There is even a category of causation called “insidious” or “idiopathic” which means we DON’T KNOW where the neck pain is coming from! It’s important to understand that neck pain is a symptom, not a disease which means we have to identify the cause…if we can!  This is why a detailed evaluation is required.

These are some common causes of neck pain (please refer to the pictures below):

1.      Degenerative Disk Disease (DDD): Over time (years), repeated injuries to the neck can result in DDD. The small “shock absorbers” that lie between the vertebral bodies lose their water retaining capabilities, become narrow, and less flexible, which is a common source of neck pain (and stiffness).

2.      Mechanical Neck Pain: Any condition that does not involve the pinching of nerves can be placed in this category. There are 2 small joints called “facets” that lie in the back of the vertebra that are a common source of neck pain. “Sprains” or injury to ligaments that hold bones together and “strains” or, injury to muscles and/or tendons that move the bones are also grouped here.

3.      Pinched nerves: Results in pain down the arm. There are 2 primary causes:

a.       Herniated disk (HD): Think of a disk like a jelly donut. When the jelly “leaks” out and pinches a nerve (resulting in arm pain), that’s an HD.

b.      Bone spurs off the front of the facets &/or back edge of the vertebra can also pinch a nerve, resulting in the classic arm pain.

4.      Spinal stenosis: (2-types)

a.       Central: A narrow spinal canal pinches the spinal cord creating pain, numbness and/or weakness in the arms &/or legs.

b.      Lateral: Narrowing of the hole where the nerve exits creating arm pain, numbness or weakness, if the nerve is pinched (like an HD).

Of course, there are many other causes of neck pain, but these are quite common and should be first considered when evaluating a patient with neck pain.

If you or someone you know is suffering from neck pain have them give us a call today at (703) 912-7822 or visit us at http://www.NovaChiroWellness.com

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition that usually affects different organ systems in the body, causing a number of symptoms. Some of these include:

1)      The muscles (the musculoskeletal system): tender, achy, stiff, tight muscles, trigger or tender points all over the body;

2)      The nerves (the nervous system): headaches, light headedness, sleep disruption, depression, anxiety, numbness/tingling (overlaps with the cardiovascular system);

3)      The stomach and intestines (the gastrointestinal system): diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel, leaky gut, heart burn, lack of appetite, abdominal cramping;

4)      Breathing (the respiratory system): hyperventilation, rapid / shallow breathing patterns;

5)      The heart (the cardiovascular system): racing heart rate – palpitations, feeling cold all the time, numbness/tingling (overlaps with the nervous system);

Because of the multiple systems involved, there are many challenges to managing Fibromyalgia.  Studies suggest a balance between several approaches works best.  Some of these approaches include biomedical treatments, organ-specific treatments, and cognitive interpersonal treatments.  Within these categories, the following can be broken down further:

1)      General – those treatments directed at the whole body such as anti-inflammatory measures.  These include (but are not limited to) medications (corticosteroids, NSAID’s – such as Advil, Aleve) and nutrients (ginger, turmeric, boswellia, Vitamin D, and others).  Other anti-inflammatory measures include diet, such as the Paleo Diet or “caveman diet.”  This diet eliminates grains or flour-based products from the diet.  That means no more breads, pastas, crackers, cookies – anything made with flour.  This approach emphasizes consuming fruits, vegetables, grass-fed lean meats and fish.  The main ingredients in grains that are of concern in the Paleo Diet are gluten and lectins

2)      Central – those treatments directed at the chemical factors in the brain that control mood, depression, anxiety and so on.  These include (but are not limited to) medications (tricyclic antidepressants, muscle relaxers like Cyclobenzaprine, SSRI, SNRI and Trmadol) and certain nutrients (neurotransmitter support such as 5-HTP – tryptophan, DHEA, phenylalanine, and others).

3)      Psychotherapy and active behavioral therapy – treatments that are supportive of nervous system such as cognitive behavior therapy, aerobic exercise, patient education, multidisciplinary therapy, hypnotherapy, biofeedback, and strength training.

4)      Passive physical intervention – chiropractic therapy, massage therapy and other forms of manual therapy, and acupuncture.

If you, a friend or family member requires care for FM call our chiropractic office in Springfield, VA at (703) 912-7822.

The number one goal I hear from patients coming into my office is, “to decrease pain and resume my normal activities”.  Being in pain and unable to perform our normal activities makes us feel out of control and out of balance.  This is particularly true when the pain lasts for weeks, months, and becomes chronic.  Certainly you will have “difficult days”.  How do you maintain control when you have such a day, when you’re dealing with chronic pain?  The best advice to stay in control is to follow the “Break your Pain” strategies.  To avoid setbacks, here are some ways to stay in control:

1.  Follow through on your goals.  Select your areas of greatest concern then set some specific, measurable, goals to help you deal with those issues.  Maybe you’re concerned about keeping up with your exercise program.  Create a checklist, and put and X by each goal you reach.

2.  Monitor your progress.  Seeing your accomplishments can motivate you to continue your goals.  Use charts or some other way to display your progress.

3.  Plan your day.  When you specifically schedule time for something, such as exercise or reading, you’re more likely to do it.  Also use “to-do” lists or notes on a calendar to remind you of your priorities.

4.  Keep your surroundings healthful.  Look around your house and get rid of things that might lure you back into unhealthful habits.  When you walk around your house, you want to see evidence of a person who lives a happy and active life.

5.  Stay positive.  Keep a success journal of positive gains and improvements.  When you’re discouraged or in danger of slipping back into some of your old patterns of unhealthful behavior, review the positive things you’ve done.  If you do have a relapse, accept that it happens, and move on, positively.

The first step to controlling your pain is to take action today, so if you are currently suffering from neck pain, headaches, or low back pain give my chiropractic office in Springfield, VA a call (703) 912-7822.

Chiropractic’s Big Idea: Improved Nervous System Function

As the name Central Nervous System suggests, our brain and spinal cord is central to our body functions. All messages from the brain to different parts of our body have to pass down the spine and vice versa. Since the nervous system is our coordinator it is important to keep it free of interferences or obstructions. Chiropractic care comes in to ensure that our spine and nervous system is functioning well. The chiropractor is trained to locate and correct spinal joint problems known as subluxations. Subluxations interfere in nerve transmission by putting pressure, irritation, and compressing the nerves in your spine.

Top four benefits of a healthy nervous system

1. Immunity boost: The nervous system regulates the immune system of the body. It regulates all activities of immune system through hormone secretions as in the case of white blood cell function at the site of an infection. A poorly functioning nervous system will not be prompt to dictate action when the body is invaded by disease causing agents. On the other hand, when your spine is in optimal condition, the immune system will also be at its functioning best. 
2. Optimal organ function: Most people who undergo spinal adjustments to remove subluxations report better clarity in vision, healing from asthma or allergies, improved energy. Vertebral subluxation correction leads to better organ function and the result is pain relief naturally.
3. Improved movement and motor function: Chiropractic patients also experience lightness in their limbs, and freedom of ambulatory movements following a chiropractic session. All motor movement impulses pass up and down the spine at lightning speed. Subluxations will tend to block impulse or cause pain as motor nerves get pinched or cramped; when these subluxations are removed damaged tissues get space to heal and the patient senses immediate relief.
4. Improved mood, energy, and well-being: All bodily movement and function, including your mood, is regulated by the release and reabsorption of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. All messages of stress, distress and feelings pass through the spine, affecting your level of consciousness and awareness, your mood, and the slower metabolic and hormonal functions of your body. A healthy spine will ensure quick and pain-free living.

Pain is often an indicator of deeper issues. It can be tiresome and a hindrance to all our daily activities. Most people rush to a chiropractor when they experience back pain or headaches. They hope the chiropractor will make the headache disappear. They do not realize the role of the spine and nervous system in determining their daily function as human beings.

With chiropractic care, you can correct and improve the spine and nervous system. The positive changes in your body and mind will be obvious and tangible. The best part is that as a bonus, pain usually goes away, easily and naturally. A healthy spine is like a well-tuned violin. It will produce quality notes when you play it. Instead of trying to get rid of pain through any means possible start thinking about improving your nervous system function.  Your Chiropractor in Springfield, VA can help improve your nervous system function.  Call us today at (703) 912-7822 to schedule your appointment today.