Neck pain is one of those conditions that affect most people at some point during their lifetime. All you have to do is ask just about anyone, “…have you ever had neck pain?” Then again, maybe you shouldn’t since you’ll probably get overloaded with way too much information from several people willing to share every little detail with you. Because of the way we are anatomically built, the neck is particularly vulnerable to injury (it has to hold up an average head weight of 15 pounds which can be quite a job, especially when we slump or slouch and that 15 pound weight falls forwards). Injury to the neck can result in minimal symptoms all the way to complete disability, making it one of the most common reasons people see doctors of all varieties for help.  Couple neck pain with headaches and now you have a real potential for disrupting lifestyles. With simple causes like poor posture, stress, work station problems or long hours at a computer, not to mention anxiety, depression and more, it’s no wonder ost of us have needed help for neck pain at some point in time.  So, the question remains, “…what can I do about it?”

From a chiropractic standpoint, manipulation, massage and other soft tissue techniques, and several forms of physiological therapeutics (such as ultrasound, electric stimulation, light – low level laser therapies), all work great!  But, instead of (or, in addition to) things that WE do to you, let’s discuss things we can teach YOU to do on your own. There is a long list of aids that help neck pain that you can self-manage, of which some include: a home traction device, cervical pillows, exercises, posture retraining, stress management, work station modifications, work / job analysis and subsequent modifications, and more. Most important is that YOU are in control of your own management program. All you need is a little motivation (your job) and proper training (our job). Many of these “self-help approaches” include an apparatus or device of some sort, which are technically coined, “hard durable medical supplies.” More specifically:

1. Cervical traction units include (but are not limited to) inflatable collars, seated over-the-door traction units, laying on the back varieties, as well as towel traction. The concept here is that you are stretching the neck vertebra apart and if it’s done proper, it should feel good! Don’t do it if it doesn’t or, reduce the weight until it does feel good. Another type of traction is placing a fulcrum (dense foam triangle) behind the neck while lying allowing the head to hang off the edge of the bed.
2. Cervical pillows share the common concept of being contoured to fit the neck and head.  These are thicker on the edge so the gap between the neck and shoulder point is filled in so the head is pointed straight ahead. There are many types of contoured pillows including water pillows, foam, inflatable, buckwheat, rice, and other types. However, a word of caution is in order: you may not like it at first as it can take 3-4 nights to get used to it. But, once you do, you’ll miss your pillow when you’re not able to travel with it. 
3. Exercises. Place your hand against your head and push into the hand, allowing the head to “win” as you move through the full range of motion (forwards, backwards, sideways and rotation). Don’t forget stretching, other strengthening exercises, and fine motor control exercises are important as well. We’ll have to pick this topic up again in the near future.

We realize that you have a choice in where you choose your healthcare services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for neck pain give us a call today at (703) 912-7822 or visit us at Chiropractor in Springfield, VA.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common causes of pain, loss of work, and work related disability in the United States. It affects approximately 50 per 1000 persons in the general population and the average lifetime cost of carpal tunnel syndrome (including medical bills and lost work time) is estimated to be about $30,000 per each injured worker. In 2003, there were more than 3.8 million visits made to health care providers for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is based on the patient’s complaints, the examination findings, and special testing such as electro-diagnostic tests (like Electromyography or EMG). The success or failure of treating carpal tunnel syndrome rests on the accuracy of the diagnosis. Often, patients with carpal tunnel syndrome will present after surgery complaining of the same symptoms they had prior to surgery, such as numbness and pain in the index, 3rd and 4th fingers, weak grip, sleep interruptions and so on, only to find that the median nerve is pinched higher up than the wrist, such as in the neck or elbow.

Treatment failure, as well as an increased likelihood of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, may also result from the presence of other “risk factors.” These include (but are not limited to) advancing age (>50 years old), females > males, and the presence of diabetes and/or obesity, which often coincide. Other risk factors include pregnancy (due to hormonal shifts and fluid retention), certain occupations (highly repetitive), strong family history of carpal tunnel syndrome, specific medical conditions like hypothyroidism, autoimmune and rheumatologic diseases, certain types of arthritis, kidney disease, trauma, anatomic predisposition of the wrist and hand (shape and size), infectious diseases, and substance abuse. The difficult thing in treating carpal tunnel syndrome is when multiple factors exist – like a female over 50 with a highly repetitive job and who is also obese. Obviously, the “best” treatment here would include weight management, and possibly work station modifications, in addition to the in-office treatment approaches. Patient compliance or, following the doctor’s recommendations is VERY important such as wearing the wrist splint at night, doing the carpal tunnel stretch exercises, weight management / dietary recommendations, and so on. Therefore, successful treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome relies on a balance between the patient and provider communicating about ALL the treatment options – surgical and non-surgical so the patient can make an informed decision. Since each patient is unique, the treatment approach must be tailored to that individual and may require, as previously stated, a number of treatment strategies aimed at patient specific issues.

Chiropractic is in a unique position for managing the carpal tunnel syndrome patient. This is because we look at the whole person, not just the wrist and, we offer the LEAST INVASIVE approach. Many times, there are issues in the neck, shoulder, elbow and forearm in addition to the wrist/hand that MUST BE carefully assessed in order to obtain a successful, satisfying result for the patient. We also consider the many “risk factors” described above and can assess or coordinate services with other health care providers so the many conditions described previously can be properly evaluated. So, the question remains, what do chiropractors do when treating a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome? Treatment often includes “the usual” such as wrist splinting during sleep, work modifications, and anti-inflammatory approaches (ice cupping, herbal, etc.). Unique to chiropractic are manipulation or adjustments (often to the neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand), Active Release Techniques and Graston Technique to loosen up muscular adhesions and scar tissue, exercise training for the involved areas including the hand/wrist, as well as dietary strategies for weight management, metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes) and so on.

We realize you have a choice in who you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs. If you, a friend or family member require care for carpal tunnel syndrome, we would be honored to render our services.  To learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome visit our website at Chiropractor in Springfield, VA or give us a call at (703) 912-7822.

Over the years of treating many fibromyalgia patients at my chiropractic office in Springfield, VA I have put together five tips if you suffer from Fibromyalgia (FM).

1.    “Keep a journal every day about what you do and how you feel.” Many times when discussing your symptoms of fibromyalgia with us, it is very hard to remember important details and keeping a journal is REALLY appreciated as it serves as a reminder for the patient of the things that trigger a flair-up.  The journal can often save an immense amount of time trying to determine what can be done to help the patient, such as when to employ biofeedback skills, like visualization. This is performed any time or place where you may find yourself in a situation that is totally out of your control and you sense your ability to cope is failing. At uncontrolled times such as this, shutting the eyes and visualizing a calming and relaxing scenario is usually very helpful and can be exercised as often or for as long as needed. Again, write down the most effective visualization scenarios or thoughts so you can refresh your memory from time to time.

2.    “Sleep is very important. Try not to nap during the day so you can sleep better at night.” One of the biggest complaints from fibromyalgia patients is sleep disturbance, whether it’s getting to sleep or waking up multiple times a night and/or not being able to return to sleep. Many “pearls” were found that dealt with sleep quality and methods for improving sleep.  One of the most important issues is stated above – try to avoid napping during the day. Another is to go to sleep at the same time each night, or, to stay on a schedule that is consistent. Some recommended avoiding thoughts about the day that are stressful or situations you can’t control prior to going to sleep.

3.    “Exercise on a regular basis.” This too, was a popular recommendation.  Most felt “light exercises” was better, while a few favored strenuous exercises.  Some gave specific recommendations like yoga, stretching, or swimming (“…because it’s easier on my joints.”). Some gave specific instructions like, “…Exercise! Keep those muscles and bones flexed and firm. But do not overdo it!” Another recommended wearing a sweat suit to keep the muscles warm. Most importantly, develop a routine that includes regular exercise doing something you like! This will ensure consistency and flow.  Exercise also has the very important ability to reduce stress simply from “working out,” and stress reduction and control was mentioned by itself multiple times. Not mentioned is the fact that endorphins and enkephlins are released with exercise that can reduce pain, as they are “natural pain killers,” morphine-like substances our body produces.

4.    Diet: This too, was popular and frequently mentioned.  Some gave very detailed information about what to eat such as, “Balance your meals with a low-fat, high-protein diet. Drink plenty of water.” A low gluten diet is anti-inflammatory and very helpful.

5.    Miscellaneous: Educate yourself about fibromyalgia by gathering as much information as possible, reading about fibromyalgia on a regular basis, starting or attending a support group, choosing a doctor who understands fibromyalgia were also very common themes. Perhaps most important was, “accept your limitations,” and in doing so, don’t be afraid to ask for help – create a list of reliable friends and family who are willing to help out when needed.

If you, a friend or family member requires care for fibromyalgia, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services! To learn more about fibromyalgia please visit http://www.NovaChiroWellness.com or give us a call at (703) 912-7822.

Participation in sports or exercise is an important step in maintaining your health. Exercise strengthens your heart, bones, and joints and reduces stress, among many other benefits. Unfortunately, injuries during participation in sports are all too common and one of most common injuries we treat at my chiropractic in Springfield, VA. Often, these injuries occur in someone who is just taking up sports as a form of activity, doesn’t use proper safety equipment, or becomes overzealous about their exercise regimen.

Strains and Sprains

Although bones can sometimes be fractured with acute sports injuries, the most commonly injured structures are the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Tendons attach muscles to bones, and ligaments attach one bone to another.

An acute twisting or overextension of a joint can lead to tears of muscles and tendons, called “strains,” and tears of ligaments result in “sprains.” These tears range from mild to severe. In mild injuries, just a few fibers are torn or stretched. Severe injuries, where there is a tear through the full thickness of the structure, are most often considered unstable injuries and frequently require surgical intervention. The intervertebral disc, the padding between the vertebrae of the spine that works as a shock absorber, can also be torn, resulting in a disc bulge and/or herniation.

Ankle sprains most often involve tears of one or more of the ligaments along the outside of the ankle. Knee ligaments, including the larger external supportive ligaments and the smaller internal stabilizing ligaments, can also be torn. The cartilage on the back of the patella (knee-cap) can also become eroded from overuse, leading to a condition termed chondromalacia patella.

Tendinosis

For those who do too much training, overuse of a particular joint or joints in the body can result in pain and dysfunction. These injuries are called “overuse syndromes.” A common overuse injury is tendinosis, also called tendinitis. In this condition, the tendon becomes inflamed from repetitive use. In the shoulder, the rotator cuff (a complex of muscles that stabilizes and moves the shoulder) becomes inflamed, resulting in rotator cuff tendinitis. Tennis elbow is another form of tendinitis that occurs along the outside of the elbow, most commonly in tennis players. In golfer’s elbow, the tendons on the inside of the elbow are affected.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Sports injuries are most often diagnosed from the history of the activity that brought on the pain, along with a physical examination. In some cases, x-rays are necessary to rule out a fracture. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diagnostic ultrasound are also used in finding soft-tissue injuries, like tendinitis and sprains. There is a relatively standard treatment protocol for most overuse types of injuries.This protocol involves the following:
•    Generally no more than 48 hours of rest and/or immobilization is needed, depending on the severity of the injury. In most cases, the sooner the person becomes active after an injury, the more rapid is the recovery. In fact, long-term immobilization can sometimes be harmful to recovery. Your doctor of chiropractic will guide this process, as too early a return to activity, choosing the wrong type of activity, or excessive activity can be detrimental.

•    Ice or heat can be helpful with pain reduction and tissue healing.

•    Compression of the area may reduce the amount of swelling from the injury. Your doctor of chiropractic will determine if this will be beneficial in your case.

•    Elevation of the injured arm or leg above the level of the heart is thought to be helpful in reducing swelling.

•    Recent research has demonstrated that some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may actually slow the healing process by restricting the body’s natural healing mechanisms, so they should be used sparingly.
•    Research has also shown that, in some cases, joint manipulation can be helpful with pain reduction and more rapid recovery. Your chiropractor will determine if this procedure will be helpful in your case.

A Word about Prevention

In many cases, sports injuries can be prevented. Proper conditioning and warm-up and cool-down procedures, as well as appropriate safety equipment, can substantially reduce injuries. Understanding proper techniques can also go a long way toward preventing injuries. Sufficient water intake is also an important preventive measure.
If you have sustained a sports injury, the best course of action is to get care so you do not develop a chronic condition.  Chiropractors are trained and licensed to treat sports injuries and can assist in your recovery.  If you or a family member is dealing with a sports injury give us a call today at (703) 912-7822 to help speed up the recovery and get you back in the game.

Few conditions leave their victims as miserable and agitated as headaches.  There are many causes of headaches including stress, odors, bright lights, noise, fatigue, certain foods, hormonal shifts, allergies, as well as genetic predisposition.  With all the possible causes of headaches, it’s not surprising many people seek help from many different approaches such as conventional medical therapies like pharmaceuticals and injections.  Others prefer a non-drug treatment approach such as chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, and nutritional counseling. 

            Usually, there is not one specific cause of headaches so treatment can focus on various areas.  For example, muscles that attach to the base of the skull in the neck and upper back are often very short and tight, resulting in pressure or a squeezing effect on the surrounding nerves and blood vessels — resulting in headaches.  Chiropractic treatment includes methods aimed at reducing the tightness found in the joints and muscles. One of these approaches is called spinal manipulation or “adjustments” where the joints in the neck are moved to restore motion and reduce joint fixations. By relaxing the muscles and tension between the joints, the nerves in the neck are less pressured which, in turn, can reduce headaches.  The top three nerves that exit the upper neck travel into the head and are often the culprit behind the onset of headaches.  The second nerve from the top is the one responsible for causing radiating pain over the top of the skull which communicates with other nerves sometimes causing the pain behind the eye.

           Another chiropractic approach in the management of headaches includes soft tissue therapy where trigger points found in tight muscles are addressed through various forms of massage and mobilization methods.  Manual traction of the head and neck can also be highly effective in reducing the tension found in headache sufferers.  Exercises are often taught to the headache patient with significant benefits reported.  Some of these, such as range of motion exercises with and without resistance (example: pushing your head into your hand during neck movements) and posture re-training (chin tucks – reducing the forward head position), help address the limited motion problems of the neck. Cervical (neck) traction performed by placing a rolled up towel placed behind the neck while lying on the back so that the head can hang off the side of the bed can also be very helpful.  Another neck traction approach is the use of a unit that hangs off a door where water is placed in a plastic bag calibrated for weight for 15 minutes at a maximum tolerated weight. This can be of great benefit as it can be performed at home at your convenience multiple times a day or, as needed.

          Other treatment approaches that chiropractic utilizes include stress management (such as biofeedback, relaxation instructions, meditation, visualization and others), diet modifications (as certain foods can trigger headaches), nutritional supplementation (such as fish oil, Vitamin D, feverfew and others), and sleep restoration.

            If you, a family member or a friend require care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our service.  We are proud that chiropractic care has consistently scored the highest level of satisfaction when compared to other forms of health care provision and we look forward in serving you and your family presently and in the future.  Give us a call today at (703) 912-7822 if you are suffering from headaches or learn more about headaches at http://www.NovaChiroWellness.com

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of a repetitive use injury caused when the median nerve, which originates in the neck, travels down the arm and crosses the wrist, gets compressed from repeated use of the hands. Often people who work on a computer get carpal tunnel syndrome, but it can also be caused by a pinched nerve in the neck.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

Some of the symptoms of Carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, tingling and sometimes weakness in the hands and fingers. As the problem progresses the pain may begin radiating from your wrist up your arm to your shoulder. Your hands may begin to get weak, causing you to drop things that you try to grip in your fingers.

If you have been experiencing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and you do repetitive tasks with your hands, you should see your chiropractor in Springfield, VA as early as possible so that the condition can be corrected quickly.

Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment options

Your Chiropractor has several techniques that can treat the many causes of numbness and tingling in your hands and fingers from carpal tunnel syndrome, such as cold laser therapy; the Graston technique, which uses a stainless steel instrument in the doctor’s hands to palpitate soft tissues that can’t be done with the human hand alone; and Active Release Techniques, which combines a deep tissue therapy with a hands-on movement to relax tight, muscle spasms, restore range of motion and free pinched nerves to provide relief.

Another treatment option includes spinal decompression therapy, where the patient’s neck is gently stretched but separates the bones in the spine, freeing up pinched nerves and restoring proper alignment.

Prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome

Since the cause of most carpal tunnel injuries is repetitive use, there are several strategies that you can use to prevent damage to the carpal tunnel.

• Sit in a chair where you can rest your arms, and where your back has good support. Your chair should be at a height which allows your wrist to rest comfortably and in a neutral (un-bent) position.
• Use an ergonomic keyboard with a wrist rest, which allows you to hold your wrists in a neutral position while typing.
• A wrist rest on your mouse pad will keep you from flexing your wrist upward and holding that posture while you use the mouse.
• Wearing a brace that holds your wrist in proper position is helpful as well.
• Do regular hand strengthening exercises, squeeze an ergonomic ball and perform stretching exercises.

Vary your tasks when you can throughout the day. Be mindful of how you are holding your hands and stretch throughout the day when you can take breaks.

Carpal tunnel syndrome and Chiropractic care is a good way to find natural, non-invasive treatment options to heal your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.

For relief of your carpal tunnel syndrome contact your chiropractor in Springfield at (703) 912-7822 and you are welcome to visit, www.NovaChiroWellness.com, so that you can get back to living a pain-free, vibrant, healthy lifestyle right away.

Our bodies go through changes as we age. In the spine, the vertebrae may develop arthritis, and the intervertebral discs may bulge. All of these changes, alone or in combination, may lead to spinal stenosis.  Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves. This is usually due to the common occurrence of spinal arthritis that occurs with aging. It can also sometimes be caused by a herniated disc or bulging disc.

Lumbar Stenosis vs. Cervical Stenosis
• In lumbar stenosis, the spinal nerve roots in the lower back are compressed, or choked, and this can produce symptoms of sciatica – tingling, weakness or numbness that radiates from the low back and into the buttocks and legs – especially with activity.
• Spinal stenosis pain in the neck (cervical spinal stenosis) can be far more dangerous by compressing the spinal cord. Spinal cord stenosis may lead to serious symptoms, including major body weakness or even paralysis.
Common Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

The most common symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis include leg pain (sciatica) that may be accompanied by:
• Low back pain,
• Leg numbness and tingling, and/or
• Limitations in walking.

Although, occasionally the leg pain and stenosis symptoms will come on acutely, they generally develop over the course of several years. The longer a patient with spinal stenosis stands or walks, the worse the leg pain will get.

Flexing forward or sitting will open the spinal canal and relieve the leg pain and other symptoms, but they recur if the patient gets back into an upright posture. Numbness and tingling can accompany the pain, but true weakness is rare. An older person leaning over the handle of their shopping cart while making short stumbling steps often has spinal stenosis.

Spinal Stenosis Treatment

Conventional treatments for spinal stenosis include:
• Exercise,
• Activity modification,
• Epidural injections, or,
• Surgery.

A New Treatment Option Available

A new treatment, called spinal decompression therapy, is now available. It is designed to take the pressure off the compressed nerves by slowly and gently stretching the spine at a certain angle followed by cycles of partial relaxation. This pattern, combined with the correct patient position, helps decompress the area of the spine with stenosis. When combined with a core-stabilization program and activity modification, patient outcomes are positive.

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a safe and effective treatment for herniated discs, bulging discs, pinched nerves, sciatica, radiating arm pain, degenerative disc disease, leg pain, and facet syndrome.

To learn more about spinal stenosis and spinal decompression in Springfield, VA go to http://www.SpringfieldSpinalDecompression.com or call today (703) 912-7822.