Chiropractors San Francisco - Your First Visit
Posted on August 26, 2008
Filed Under Lower Back Pain Symptoms | Leave a Comment
San Francisco – Chiropractors are licensed health professionals who treat common musculoskeletal conditions primarily through manual methods. Although there are several chiropractic techniques, they all center on the spinal adjustment. Also called spinal manipulation, a spinal adjustment is a maneuver done by hand to impart movement to a joint. It can be used to move vertebrae in the cervical (neck), thoracic (torso area), and lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine. The purpose of the adjustment is two-fold: (1) to impart movement to a restricted or immobile joint, and (2) to help re-align it relative to the rest of the joints in the spine. A third benefit is the stimulation of spinal nerves involved in muscle tone. The benefit of a properly aligned, flexible spine is better movement, balance, and nerve function.
Chiropractors contend that the spinal column plays a large role in maintaining overall health, avoiding biomechanical morbidity, and preventing injuries. Since the spine is the structure on which other parts of the body are attached, it follows that any structural problems with the spine will in some way affect other parts of the body. More importantly, the spine encases the spinal cord, which is an extension of the brain. If the bones (vertebrae) of the neck are out of proper alignment, direct or torsional pressure on the spinal cord may occur. Since the brain and spinal cord control muscle function, sensory function, and organ function it follows that pressure to the spinal cord may adversely interfere with these processes, leading to symptoms and diseases like back pain, headaches, light headedness, and indigestion.
A visit to a chiropractor will start out like a typical visit to any doctor: the patient will be asked to fill out a patient history. Here the patient will describe in detail the problem she is experiencing: how it happened, when it happened, how often it is felt, how severe; related symptoms, and so on. The doctor will try to pinpoint the causation by asking other questions involving any hobbies/ activities, diet, work environment, and inheritable diseases.
Next, vital signs may be taken: heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, pulse rate. And depending on the presenting symptoms and complaints, certain orthopedic and neurological tests may be performed. These are tests used to identify the structures involved in the condition and often attempt to provoke the symptoms. For example, if the patient were to come in for low back pain, the chiropractor may conduct a straight-leg raise test, where the doctor raises the leg of the patient as she is lying down on her back. If it causes low back pain, the test is positive for a herniated disc. The chiropractor may also conduct Kemp’s Test, where the standing patient bends backwards and twists to one side. Pain going down the leg is positive for disc herniation on that side. There are orthopedic tests to evaluate problems affecting the neck, thorax, pelvis, and extremity joints. The chiropractor will also palpate, or feel the spine for signs of spinal dysfunction such as joint restrictions, muscle spasm, trigger points, edema, hyperemia, and changes in skin temperature.
Neurological tests are done to evaluate the motor (strength) and sensory function of major nerves. These tests include the cranial nerve tests to test hearing, smell, taste, eye movement, pupil dilation, swallowing, facial muscles, and others; deep tendon reflexes (using the reflex hammer) to test the major nerve roots in the upper and lower extremities; muscle strength tests, and dermatomal tests to evaluate the sensory component of the nerves and nerve roots.
An X-ray of the area may be taken to compare the exam findings to the area in question. If the X-ray study is inconclusive, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be taken to visualize soft tissue structures such as the discs, muscles, spinal cord, and nerve roots.
The chiropractor will then correlate all the exam findings, come up with a diagnosis, and prescribe a treatment plan for the patient. This may include a series of spinal adjustments, physiotherapy such as ice/heat, electric muscle stimulation, ultrasound, and low level laser therapy; and exercises. Often, the chiropractor may suggest supplements and dietary measures to help the body healing the injured area. The treatment sessions are usually 2-3 visits per week for 2-4 weeks, reducing in frequency until the condition has resolved. Home care is usually prescribed after the acute (painful) phase has subsided. This can include special exercises, home traction, and supports.
So that is what a typical chiropractic experience involves. If you are experiencing musculoskeletal pain or symptoms that are not resolving on their own, calling a San Francisco chiropractor would be a good place to start.
In order find a chiropractor, let’s say in San Francisco, the internet is a good place to start. Simply go to Google and type in the following keyword: San Francisco Chiropractor. You will find a list of chiropractors’ websites that tell about their practice approach. Read through them, and then choose one that you feel will work for you.
Dan W. Perez, D.C.
San Francisco Chiropractor
How Memory Foam Products Can Lower The Risk Of Back Pain
Posted on August 12, 2008
Filed Under Back Pain Relief | Leave a Comment
Memory foam mattresses and Memory foam toppers are designed to mould to the contour of the body and can be therapeutic in reducing back and neck pain.
Back pain can be caused by poor posture or old a mattress which is too hard or too soft. A good posture is very important as on average, people spend approximately seven hours a night in bed, although if we are uncomfortable we may not be sleep well and may wake in the morning feeling tired !
It is important that your memory foam mattress or memory foam overlay provides support and stability to the spine, to prevent excessive tension or pressure on spine, joints and discs, and underlying soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons and muscles.
Ensuring good muscular-skeletal health is of prime importance as those who suffer back, neck, hip and shoulder pain will confirm and if you have suffered back ache, sciatica or muscle spasm you will know the importance of a good nights sleep.
Therapeutic treatments/interventions from health professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors can be hindered by poor sleep- postures needed to promote a restorative response.
A high number of people will suffer back problems in their life time such as; low back pain, Sciatica, herniated disc (slipped disc), degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis and facet joint problems, it is therefore very important to provide good back support to relieve painful pressure on the joints and support the spine when sleeping. Our mattresses and toppers can also providing relief for such painful conditions as rheumatoid arthritis, osteo arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Memory foam mattresses and Memory foam toppers support the spine in a neutral position, which promotes stability and reduces stress, tension and painful medical/muscular skeletal conditions helping to achieve a good nights rest and reduce postural stiffness in the morning.
Memory foam mattresses are usually made up from a combination of foams, a good supportive base foam stops the user from bottoming out while the top layers are usually memory foam. There are now various densities and qualities of memory foam which are used lower densities usually on the top surface as these densities are lighter and usually softer.
Visco elastic foam is heat and pressure sensitive, this means it uses the body heat to allow the material to soften when pressure is applied the material deforms to the load.
This is applied in many sectors pressure protection in hospitals, special orthopeadic pillows etc. Visco elastic foam can be used to construct many therapeutic items like a mattress pad, neck support pillow, and memory foam pillows.
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