Arthritis
Arthritis, or joint pain or joint disease, is the leading cause of disability in America. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children are suffering from some type of arthritis. Common symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to perform normal day-to-day activities, and has the potential to cause permanent joint damage.
Arthritis often results after a joint loses its ability to move properly over time. This happens as a result of both macro trauma, ( accidents, falls, injuries….) and micro trauma, ( over use, repeated use…). By restoring motion to the spine and other joints, not only can your body see a decrease in the speed of degeneration but even better, begin to heal the damage that has already occured.
Auto Injuries
Even a “minor” crash can result in serious injuries like ligament sprains. This can lead to chronic pain and disability if not treated properly. In fact, research shows that early treatment is the best way to prevent long-term symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments are effective because they help restore the healthy, normal function of your spine and nervous system without the use of drugs or surgery.
Back Pain
Since back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, it is vital to know how to prevent the cause of back pain. By maintaining a healthy diet and weight, remaining active and avoiding prolonged inactivity or bed rest are all important ways to avoid back pain. Before doing exercises or any physical activity, it is recommended to warm up and/or stretch. It is also recommended to stretch afterwards.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
CTS is a problem of the median nerve which runs from the forearm into the hand. When there is excessive pressure in the wrist, it causes swelling of the median nerve. This small area called the carpal tunnel is a narrow tunnel at the wrist made up of bones, soft tissues, nerves, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. When the median nerve which runs through this tunnel gets compressed it causes pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the wrist and hand (usually the thumb and forefinger). The carpal tunnel is the most common area that gets compressed in both the hands and feet.
CTS should be diagnosed and treated early. During your consultation, you will receive a standard physical examination of the hands, arms, shoulders and neck to help determine if your symptoms are related to daily activities or to an underlying disorder. Our highly skilled Chiropractors will also utilize other orthopedic tests to try to produce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Your Chiropractor will determine whether your condition is stemming from the neck or your wrist. Both respond exceptionally well to Chiropractic care.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease happens when negative changes occur in the discs of your spine. This may cause pain. The discs between vertebrae act as shock absorbers for your spine, and as you age, they may begin to lose flexibility. Most medical professionals believe this is a normal part of aging. It does not have to be. It also does not have to cause pain.
Each disc is composed of a sturdy outer wall and a soft, gel-like inner core. When we are born, these discs are primarily composed of water, but as age advances, the discs lose some of this water content and begin to get thinner. As you might imagine, this means each disc doesn’t absorb the shocks of everyday life as well.
Headaches/ Migraines
Nine out of ten Americans say that they suffer from headaches. Some of these people experience headaches frequently. Some experience constant headaches that are very painful. These can even make a person nauseous. Ninety-five percent of headaches are tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused from a disease, but from something in your body that is not aligned correctly.
Knee Pain
Knee pain is increasingly becoming a more common problem in society. It is a complaint we see frequently. The most common complaint associated with knee pain is considered the normal “wear and tear.” Another ailment that affects the knee is osteoarthritis. The symptoms and progression of osteoarthritis and knee pain can be reduced through our individualized approach to Chiropractic care.
Neck Pain
The neck, also called the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and contains seven small vertebrae. The cervical spine supports the full weight of your head which is on average about 12-18 pounds. The cervical spine is one of the most flexible areas of the body and it moves your head in nearly every direction. This flexibility and postural changes can make the neck very susceptible to pain and injury.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a result of damaged nerve cells. Peripheral neuropathy currently affects over 20 million people just in the United States alone. The symptoms range from tingling or burning pain to muscle spasms and difficulty moving your arms or legs. If you are experiencing neuropathy for prolonged periods, it can even cause atrophy. Keeping the spine and nervous system healthy will not only prevent but will improve nerve function to the entire body.
Personal Injury
Our goal is to help you receive the proper care after a personal injury, auto accident or fall. Our Chiropractors are devoted to helping you obtain the most comprehensive treatments and the care you deserve, so you may maintain your quality of life after an injury and can begin to feel like yourself again
.
Too often, individuals involved in an auto injury or wreck have minimal or no symptoms until several weeks or even years after the auto accident. That is where the professionals at Barefoot Chiropractic come in, and can assist you with all aspects of personal injury recovery.
Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve can happen in a variety of places throughout the body with some of the most common being the lower spine, wrists, neck, and legs. A pinched nerve occurs when the bone comes out of place and gets stuck. A subsequent action is the muscles and/or tendons become inflamed, putting additional pressure on the nerve and either causing pain or even numbness/tingling throughout the extremities related or attached to this affected nerve. Remember, nerves communicate between the brain and the tissue cells. Depending on the nerve, effects can cause various dysfunction of the body, not just pain.
If the pinched nerve does not resolve itself and you have persistent pain that lasts for more than a few days, you should seek Chiropractic attention by scheduling an appointment at Barefoot Chiropractic with one of our Chiropractors. This is especially true if you’ve tried at-home treatments but feel like your pain is worsening as time progresses. With pinched nerves, it’s important to seek Chiropractic attention in order to identify the underlying cause of the pinched nerve to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Sciatica
Sciatica is characterized by pain in the lower back that radiates down one or both legs. The pain is described as dull, achy, sharp, like “pins and needles” or similar to electric shocks. Other symptoms associated with sciatica include burning, numbness and tingling sensations. Sciatic nerve pain varies in intensity from mild to severe, and frequency may range from occasional to constant. The onset may be gradual and not necessarily associated with a previous event. Sciatica is also known as radiating or referred pain, neuropathy, or neuralgia.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a very common condition and affects almost half of the U.S. Most patients feel some sort of pain, limited range of motion, an inability to engage in activities of daily living (ADL) or something more serious as a permanent disability. Shoulder pain may actually be a problem stemming from the neck rather than a shoulder problem. It is important to have a proper diagnosis by your Chiropractor for best results.
Sports Injury
Sports can be very taxing on your body, no matter what you play. Our trusted staff will work with you to get to the root of your problem and help you feel better again. We help and also prevent injuries in the neck, back, shoulders, knees, and ankles. We are able to manually adjust your spine (or your knees, shoulders, wrists, etc…) relieving any pain that you are feeling. This will allow your body to function much better after the injury.
TMJ
TMJ is an abbreviation for the temporomandibular joint which connects the mandibular, or your lower jaw, to the temporal bones of the skull. The TMJ is one of the more unique joints within your body as it allows you to move your jaw forward, backward, and side to side so that you can chew, talk, sing, yawn, and more. This joint can be found just in front of your ears on both sides of your head.
Any problem with the muscles, ligaments, discs, bones, or the joint itself are known as temporomandibular disorders or TMD and refers to the actual disorder, where the jaw joint is misaligned and causing problems such as pain, inflammation, and inability to move or operate the jaw. Chiropractors can assist with this joint also.
Vertigo
Vertigo is the feeling that you are moving when you’re not. This sensation can be triggered by movements such as turning your head too quickly or looking down, but it is ultimately caused by problems in the inner ear, brain, or brainstem. There are two different forms of vertigo with each stemming from various medical issues: peripheral vertigo and central vertigo.
Peripheral vertigo results in a problem with your inner ear and thus your balance, while central vertigo occurs when your brain or brainstem are suffering from a condition originating from your central nervous system (CNS). Peripheral vertigo is typically more severe, and central vertigo is more gradual in its onset. Regardless of the type of dizziness you are experiencing, more than likely, your quality of life is suffering because of it. Chiropractors have remarkable results in the treatment of vertigo.
Whiplash
According to the American Chiropractic Association, one of the most common causes of neck pain is whiplash resulting from a car accident. A sudden forced movement of the head or neck in any direction and the resulting “rebound” in the opposite direction is known as whiplash. The sudden “whipping” motion injures the surrounding and supporting tissues of the neck and head. Muscles react by tightening and contracting, creating muscle fatigue, which can result in pain and stiffness. Severe whiplash can also be associated with injury to the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, muscles, and nerve roots.
Work Injuries
Workplace injuries don’t only occur during traumatic slips and falls at work but are more often than not, the result of repetitive movements, and caused by doing the physical demands required of your job over an extended period of time. These types of workplace injuries are all too common in today’s workforce. Chiropractic care can help the body deal with these types of injuries.
- Lower back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Carpal tunnel and hand pain
- Disc injuries
- Sciatica (pain caused by the sciatic nerve in your lower back and legs)
- Joint pain
Being examined by a chiropractor is often the first step in identifying and treating a workplace injury through non-invasive care which is why Barefoot Chiropractic conducts thorough examinations during his first session with new patients in order to better assess their injury. Since workplace injuries usually develop over time, it’s important to share all the symptoms you may be experiencing so we can identify the root cause.