Acute Disc Herniation vs. SI Joint Dysfunction

At Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness in Windsor, WI, we understand that back pain can significantly impact your quality of life. Two common sources of back pain are acute disc herniation and sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction. While they may present similar symptoms, they are distinct conditions requiring different approaches for diagnosis and treatment. In this blog post, we'll explore the differences between these two conditions to help you better understand your back pain and seek appropriate care.

Acute Disc Herniation

What is it?

An acute disc herniation occurs when the gel-like center of a spinal disc bulges or ruptures through a tear in the disc's outer layer. This can compress nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.

Symptoms:

Localized pain: Often in the lower back or neck, depending on the affected disc.

Radiating pain: Pain that extends to the arms or legs (sciatica if it affects the lower back).

Numbness or tingling: In the area served by the affected nerves.

Causes:

Injury: Sudden trauma or strain.

Degeneration: Wear and tear over time.

Diagnosis:

Physical examination: Assessing pain points and range of motion. The history and presentation of N&T is usually telling of this condition.

Imaging tests: MRI or CT scans to visualize the herniated disc.

Treatment:

Chiropractic adjustments: Realigning the spine to relieve pressure on the nerves. This also allows for ample movement in other joints while the affected joint space takes time to heal.

Ancillary Services: We will typically try to find which modality yields the best results. This could be cupping, taping, needling, etc. Each case is slightly different in what works and what doesn’t.

Pain management: Medications or injections to reduce inflammation.

SI Joint Dysfunction

What is it?

SI joint dysfunction involves improper movement or inflammation of the sacroiliac joints, which connect the spine to the pelvis. This can cause pain in the lower back and buttocks.

Symptoms:

Localized pain: Often in the lower back, buttocks, or thighs. This case rarely has pain go below the knee.

Pain with movement: Increased pain with standing, walking, or climbing stairs. Transitional movements are usually painful.

Instability: Feeling like your legs might buckle.

Causes:

Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and added weight can stress the SI joints.

Trauma: Falls or accidents that affect the pelvis.

Arthritis: Inflammation of the joints over time.

Diagnosis:

Physical examination: Checking for pain in the SI joints through specific movements.

Imaging tests: X-rays or MRI to rule out other conditions.

Treatment:

Chiropractic care: Adjustments to improve joint alignment and function.

Physical therapy: Exercises to stabilize and strengthen the SI joints.

Pain relief: Medications, ice, or heat therapy.

How Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness Can Help

At Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness, Dr. Jeremy Quick and our dedicated team are committed to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs. Whether you're dealing with acute disc herniation or SI joint dysfunction, our holistic approach aims to relieve your pain and improve your overall health.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between acute disc herniation and SI joint dysfunction is crucial for effective treatment and pain relief. If you're experiencing back pain, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness in Windsor, WI. We're here to help you on your journey to better health and wellness.

Understanding FAI vs. Hip Capsular tightness and How Chiropractic Can Help

When it comes to hip pain, two common culprits often get mentioned: Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) and hip capsular tightness. Both conditions can cause discomfort and limit your mobility, but they stem from different issues within the hip joint. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective treatment and long-term relief.

What is Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)?

FAI occurs when there is abnormal contact between the femoral head (the ball) and the acetabulum (the socket) in the hip joint. This can be due to irregularities in the shape of the femoral head, the acetabulum, or both. FAI is typically categorized into three types:

1. Cam Impingement: The femoral head is not perfectly round, causing it to jam into the socket.

2. Pincer Impingement: The socket has extra bone extending out over the normal rim, pinching the femoral head-neck junction.

3. Combined Impingement: Both cam and pincer types are present.

Symptoms of FAI often include deep groin pain, stiffness, and discomfort during activities like running, squatting, or prolonged sitting.

What is Hip Capsular Tightness?

The hip capsule is a thick ligamentous structure surrounding the hip joint, providing stability. When the hip capsule becomes tight or restricted, it can limit the joint's range of motion, leading to pain and stiffness. This condition is often a result of:

- Prolonged immobility

- Overuse injuries

- Previous hip surgery or trauma

- Degenerative changes

Unlike FAI, which is a structural issue, hip capsular tightness is more about the soft tissue's flexibility and elasticity.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)

1. Adjustment and Alignment: Chiropractors can perform specific adjustments to improve the alignment of the hip joint, reducing abnormal contact and alleviating pain.

2. Soft Tissue Therapy: Techniques such as myofascial release can help reduce muscle tension around the hip, providing relief from pain and improving mobility.

3. Rehabilitation Exercises: Tailored exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip joint can help support proper joint mechanics and prevent further impingement.

4. Lifestyle Modifications: Chiropractors can offer advice on activity modification to avoid movements that exacerbate FAI symptoms, along with ergonomic adjustments to daily activities.

Hip Capsular Tightness

1. Manual Therapy: Gentle mobilization techniques can help stretch and loosen the tight hip capsule, increasing range of motion and reducing pain.

2. Stretching Exercises: Customized stretching routines can improve flexibility in the hip capsule and surrounding muscles.

3. Posture and Movement Education: Chiropractors can teach proper posture and movement patterns to reduce strain on the hip capsule, preventing further tightness.

4. Modalities: Using modalities like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or heat therapy can enhance tissue healing and reduce pain and inflammation.

Why Choose Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is non-invasive and drug-free, focusing on the root cause of your pain rather than just masking the symptoms. By addressing both structural and functional issues, chiropractic care can provide lasting relief and improve your overall quality of life.

If you're struggling with hip pain, whether it's from FAI or hip capsular tightness, our chiropractic team is here to help. We'll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that targets your specific needs, helping you move freely and live pain-free.

Healing Ankle Sprains in Madison, WI

Introduction:

Ankle sprains are a common injury that can happen to anyone, from athletes to weekend warriors to those simply going about their daily activities. While they may seem minor, ankle sprains can have a significant impact on mobility and overall well-being if left untreated or improperly managed. At Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness in Windsor, WI, we understand the importance of comprehensive care for ankle sprains, and we're here to discuss how chiropractic care can play a vital role in the healing process.

Understanding Ankle Sprains:

Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments that support the ankle are stretched or torn, often due to sudden twisting or rolling of the foot. This can lead to pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected ankle. From a chiropractic standpoint, this mechanism can cause the bone called the talus to sift forward underneath the tibia (shin bone). When this happens, the talus acts as a wedge impeding proper movement. This will alter the way that you are using the lower limb, and cause improper mechanics in the knee and hip. 

The Role of Chiropractic Care:

While chiropractic care is commonly associated with spinal adjustments, its benefits extend far beyond back pain relief. Here's how chiropractic care can help with ankle sprains:

1. Alignment Correction: Misalignments in the spine and other joints can contribute to uneven weight distribution and altered gait, increasing the risk of ankle injuries. Post-ankle injury a properly trained chiropractor can adjust the talus to restore it’s normal position and function, and allow for the swelling that normally inhabits the sinus tarsi to escape. 

2. Soft Tissue Therapy: In addition to adjustments, chiropractors use various soft tissue therapies, such as cupping and IASTM, to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and enhance flexibility in the muscles and ligaments surrounding the ankle. This also allows for proper healing and orientation of the new tissues that are associated with healing the damaged tissue.

3. Rehabilitation Exercises: To prevent future injuries and restore strength and stability to the ankle joint, chiropractors prescribe tailored rehabilitation exercises. These exercises target specific muscle groups and proprioceptive training to improve balance and coordination.

4. Holistic Approach: Chiropractic care takes a holistic approach to healing, addressing not only the symptoms of ankle sprains but also the underlying causes. By considering the interconnectedness of the body's systems, chiropractors strive to optimize overall health and wellness, facilitating faster recovery and long-term resilience against future injuries.

Conclusion:

Chiropractic care offers a safe, effective, and holistic approach to healing ankle sprains. It helps that the chiropractor in our office is also an Athletic Trainer, and this is their bread and butter. In our many years of experience, the single most important factor in getting you back after an ankle sprain is the talus adjustment. Once that is where it should be, the mechanics, both physical and fluid can allow for faster, more efficient healing. Let us help you get back on your feet.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Madison, WI

Introduction:

Plantar fasciitis is a common yet debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Characterized by pain and inflammation in the heel and bottom of the foot, it can significantly impact one's quality of life, hindering daily activities and even affecting mobility. While there are various treatment options available, chiropractic care has emerged as a promising solution for managing and alleviating the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. At Balanced Chiropractic, we focus on a two-pronged approach. We balance the nervous system from the top down, and the kinetic system from the foot up.

Understanding Plantar Fasciitis:

Plantar fasciitis refers to the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes. This condition typically develops due to excessive strain and stress on the plantar fascia, leading to micro-tears, inflammation, and pain. Common causes of plantar fasciitis include:

1. Overuse or repetitive strain: Engaging in activities that involve prolonged standing, walking, or running can strain the plantar fascia, leading to irritation and inflammation.

2. Poor foot mechanics: Issues such as flat feet, high arches, or abnormal walking patterns can place additional stress on the plantar fascia, increasing the risk of injury.

3. Obesity: Excess body weight can exert pressure on the feet, exacerbating the strain on the plantar fascia and contributing to the development of plantar fasciitis.

4. Improper footwear: Wearing shoes with inadequate support or improper fit can alter foot mechanics and increase the likelihood of developing plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis may include:

- Heel pain, particularly during the first steps in the morning or after long periods of rest.

- Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest.

- Stiffness and tenderness in the bottom of the foot.

- Pain that intensifies when climbing stairs or standing for extended periods.

Chiropractic Care for Plantar Fasciitis:

Chiropractic care focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, including those affecting the feet and lower extremities. At Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness in Windsor, WI, our team offers comprehensive care for individuals suffering from plantar fasciitis. Here's how chiropractic treatment can help:

1. Spinal and Foot Alignment: Chiropractors employ manual adjustments to realign the spine and correct any misalignments in the foot and ankle joints. By restoring proper alignment, pressure on the plantar fascia is alleviated, reducing pain and inflammation.

2. Soft Tissue Therapy: Soft tissue techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, and stretching exercises are utilized to alleviate muscle tension, improve flexibility, and promote healing in the affected area.

3. Custom Orthotics: Our chiropractors can provide custom orthotic devices to support the arches of the feet and distribute pressure evenly, reducing strain on the plantar fascia and enhancing foot mechanics.

4. Lifestyle Modifications: In addition to hands-on treatment, our chiropractors offer valuable advice on lifestyle modifications, including proper footwear selection, ergonomic adjustments, and exercises to strengthen the feet and lower extremities.

Conclusion:

Plantar fasciitis can be a challenging condition to manage, but with the right approach, relief is possible. Chiropractic care offered at Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness in Windsor, WI, provides a holistic and effective solution for addressing the underlying causes of plantar fasciitis and promoting healing from within. If you're struggling with foot pain and discomfort, don't hesitate to schedule a consultation with our experienced chiropractic team to explore your treatment options and regain your mobility and quality of life.

Chiropractic and TMJ Dysfunction in Madison, WI

Do you frequently experience jaw pain, clicking, or stiffness? Perhaps you wake up with headaches or struggle to chew without discomfort? These symptoms might indicate a common condition known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ). This condition affects millions of individuals worldwide, causing discomfort and impacting daily life. However, relief may be closer than you think, and it might come in the form of chiropractic care.

At Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness in Windsor, WI, we understand the debilitating effects of TMJ and offer a holistic approach to managing and alleviating its symptoms. Let’s delve into what TMJ is, its causes, and how chiropractic care can offer hope for those suffering from this condition.

Understanding TMJ:

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. It allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side, enabling essential functions like speaking, chewing, and yawning. When this joint becomes dysfunctional, it leads to TMJ disorder, resulting in a range of uncomfortable symptoms such as:

- Jaw pain or tenderness

- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing the mouth

- Difficulty chewing or discomfort while chewing

- Locking of the jaw

- Headaches or earaches

- Facial pain

Causes of TMJ Disorder:

Several factors contribute to the development of TMJ disorder, including:

- Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching):** Habitual grinding or clenching of teeth can strain the TMJ.

- Stress: Emotional or psychological stress can cause individuals to clench their jaw muscles involuntarily.

- Misalignment of the jaw: Poor alignment of the teeth and jaw can put stress on the TMJ.

- Injury: Trauma to the jaw or face can lead to TMJ disorder.

- Arthritis: Degenerative joint diseases like arthritis can affect the TMJ.

Chiropractic Care for TMJ Relief:

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper alignment and function to the musculoskeletal system, including the spine, joints, and muscles. While many people associate chiropractic care with spinal adjustments, it can also benefit conditions like TMJ disorder. Here’s how:

- Spinal and jaw alignment: Misalignments in the spine or jaw can contribute to TMJ disorder. Chiropractic adjustments help realign these structures, reducing strain on the TMJ and promoting proper function.

- Muscle relaxation: Chiropractors use various techniques to relax tight muscles in the jaw and neck, relieving tension and discomfort associated with TMJ disorder.

- Posture correction: Poor posture can contribute to TMJ symptoms by placing strain on the jaw and neck muscles. Chiropractic adjustments and posture exercises can help improve posture, alleviating TMJ pain.

- Lifestyle modifications: Your chiropractor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as stress management techniques and ergonomic adjustments, to reduce TMJ symptoms and prevent recurrence.

Why Choose Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness?

At Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness, we take a personalized approach to TMJ treatment, addressing the root cause of your symptoms and providing targeted care to help you find relief. Our experienced chiropractors use gentle, effective techniques to restore balance to your musculoskeletal system and improve TMJ function.

Take the First Step Towards TMJ Relief:

Don’t let TMJ disorder control your life. If you’re experiencing jaw pain or other TMJ symptoms, contact Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness in Windsor, WI, to schedule a consultation. Our compassionate team will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan to alleviate your pain and restore your quality of life.

Chiropractic Innovation in Madison, WI

Chiropractic has been since 1895.

That is a long time for any profession to be in existence, and an even longer time for a profession to be continually growing and changing. While you may not see many chiropractic inventions or breakthroughs at the CES convention, you may see them in your local office. Chiropractors are always looking for another tool or technique to improve the way they provide care to their respective communities. They may be trying out a new therapy unit like Shockwave Therapy, Dry Needling, therapuetic ultrasound, and the list goes on…

We are no different in our office. We are constantly on the lookout for new modalities or techniques to use in our practice. The goal is to be as effective with each treatment as possible. We want to give the body exactly what it needs, where it needs it, when it needs it. This way you can heal as fast as possible, and get back to your life.

The way we happen to be different from every office, is that we are actively creating our own devices, techniques , and tools to better serve our patients. Over the years, we have embraced the idea of this being a “practice.” We try new things that we think will work to help us with common problems that we see every day. (It goes without saying that we do not do things that we think will harm or hinder a patient on their journey, and we always attain consent to be treated with a new modality.) We find there is no better way to create, and test out ideas and tools than in a practice where we can treat 3 different people with the same setbacks at the same time, but change something with each treatment.

In this way, we can truly find what makes someone improve in the fastest, safest way possible. It is how we hone our craft and get better each day. We strive for excellence through innovation.

We think you deserve that.

Dry Needling in Madison, WI

First of all, what is dry needling? Dry needling is the use of thin, sterile needles (much like the ones typically used in acupuncture) to relieve tension and tightness in trigger points and other soft tissues. The goals is to decrease the tension in these soft tissues, increase blood flow to the area, and promote the natural healing mechanisms of the body.

Dry needling is minimally invasive and each needle comes in a tube that has a preset depth, so as not to go too deep into the skin and underlying structures. Dry needling is proven to be safe and effective when working with people of all different backgrounds.

From a chiropractic standpoint, we really enjoy using needles to relax tissues, because, in most cases, we can place needles in the tissue we wish to treat, and move to adjustments of structures elsewhere. This allows us to be effective and efficient when treating the entire movement system.

Graston Technique For Soft Tissue In Madison, WI

Well, we can’t exactly call it that if we aren’t using their tools or their technique, but it is what most people know instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization as. It is also a lot easier to say, so for our intents and purposes, we will call it Graston.

Graston was not the first to perform soft tissue work, as Gua Sha (traditionally performed with stones, bones, and now plastic) has been around for a really long time. Graston was the first to use stainless steel tools to perform soft tissue work.

Now for the all important question. What is soft tissue work, and what is it used for? Great question. Soft tissue work, in the western sense, is usually associated with scar tissue and loosening up tight tissue. This isn’t a bad answer, but it isn’t a complete answer. You can also use soft tissue work to stimulate or depress the nervous system based on how and where you use the tools. We call the movements made by the tools over the tissue “strokes",” and we can speed them up to increase neural activity, and slow them down to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system to relax the neural activity in that area. We can also use tools to increase lymphatic drainage and reduce edema in the body.

In our office in Windsor, WI, owe utilize similar techniques to that above to provide you he results that you deserve!

Neck Pain

Neck pain can be a real pain in the neck, quite literally. Whether it's caused by poor posture, stress, an injury, or simply the wear and tear of daily life, neck pain can have a significant impact on your overall well-being. The good news is that chiropractic care offers effective solutions for alleviating neck pain and improving your quality of life. In this blog post, we'll explore how chiropractic care can help with neck pain and what patients can do at home to complement their treatment.

Understanding Neck Pain

Before diving into chiropractic care, it's important to understand the potential causes of neck pain. Some common factors that contribute to neck discomfort include:

1. Poor Posture: Spending long hours hunched over a computer or slouched while watching TV can strain the neck and surrounding muscles.

2. Muscle Tension: Stress and anxiety can cause muscle tension, leading to neck pain and discomfort.

3. Injuries: Accidents, falls, or sports-related injuries can result in neck pain, often due to muscle sprains, strains, or even misalignments of the cervical spine.

4. Arthritis: Osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease can cause the neck's joints and discs to deteriorate, resulting in pain and reduced mobility.

5. Repetitive Movements: Certain occupations or activities that require repetitive neck movements can lead to chronic neck pain over time.

Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain

Chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system's alignment, including the spine, and its impact on overall health. When it comes to neck pain, chiropractic care can be a highly effective approach. Here's how chiropractors address neck pain:

1. Spinal Adjustment: Chiropractors use precise, controlled adjustments to realign the spine. This can help relieve pressure on nerves and reduce muscle tension in the neck.

2. Soft Tissue Techniques: Chiropractors may use soft tissue techniques like massage or myofascial release to alleviate muscle tightness and improve blood circulation in the affected area.

3. Posture Correction: Chiropractors can provide guidance on maintaining proper posture, both at work and during daily activities, to prevent future neck pain.

4. Exercise and Rehabilitation: Chiropractors often recommend specific exercises and stretches to strengthen neck muscles and improve flexibility.

5. Ergonomic Advice: Patients receive tips on setting up their workstations or adjusting their sleeping positions to reduce strain on the neck.

What Patients Can Do at Home

While chiropractic care is highly effective in treating neck pain, there are several actions patients can take at home to complement their treatment and promote overall neck health:

1. Stay Active: Engaging in regular physical activity can help maintain flexibility and strength in the neck and upper back muscles. Incorporate exercises that target neck mobility and stability.

2. Ergonomic Workspace: If you work on a computer, ensure your workstation is ergonomically designed. Adjust your chair, monitor, and keyboard to encourage a neutral neck position.

3. Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration supports the health of spinal discs, which cushion the vertebrae in your neck. Drinking enough water helps maintain disc hydration and function.

4. Mind Your Posture: Be conscious of your posture throughout the day. Avoid slouching and try to keep your head aligned with your shoulders.

5. Stretch and Relax: Incorporate gentle neck stretches into your daily routine to relieve tension. Breathing exercises and stress management techniques can also help reduce muscle tension.

Conclusion

Neck pain can be debilitating, but with the right approach, relief is within reach. Chiropractic care offers a holistic and non-invasive solution to address the root causes of neck pain and improve overall well-being. By combining professional chiropractic treatment with at-home practices, you can take control of your neck pain and enjoy a more pain-free and active lifestyle. Remember, it's essential to consult with a qualified chiropractor to determine the best treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Pain and Chiropractic

Pain is a universal experience that can impact our quality of life. Whether it’s acute or chronic, pain can be debilitating and hinder our ability to enjoy our daily lives. However, there is hope through chiropractic care. A chiropractor is trained to understand the complexities of pain, including it’s causes. A holistic approach consisting of chiropractic and other modalities, can drastically decrease the amount of pain one is experiencing.

Pain serves as our body’s alarm system that something is amiss. It can stem from various sources, including injuries, poor posture, stress, or underlying medical conditions. Living with pain can affect physical well-being, as well as impact our mental and emotional health as well.

Chiropractic, especially at Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness takes on a holistic approach to care. Rather than treating just the pain itself, we focus on what is causing the pain. We take a deeper look at how your body is functioning, to get to the root cause. We ensure that the spine and nervous system are functioning properly which improves the body’s ability to maintain its state of homeostasis, or its set point. This allows the body to express it’s ability to self-heal. We also take a look at the body from a movement standpoint to ensure we are addressing the problem from both ends. This approach has proven effective at not only alleviating pain, but ensuring that it doesn’t continue to plague your life.

One of the best parts of this job is empowering our patients to take control of their pain, and their well-being. Patients are better doctors than we will ever be. When we show them how to listen to their bodies, they know long before pain is an issue that something needs to be adjusted. There is something truly fulfilling about seeing our patients and our community thrive.

Low Back Pain

Low back pain is a common problem that affects millions of people every year. Whether you're an athlete, office worker, or stay-at-home parent, low back pain can be debilitating and impact your daily activities.

At Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness, we believe that understanding the causes of low back pain is the first step in preventing and treating it. Here are some of the most common causes of low back pain:

1. Poor posture: Sitting or standing with poor posture can put excessive pressure on your spine and lead to low back pain.

2. Muscle strain: Overuse, poor lifting technique, and sudden movements can cause muscle strains that result in low back pain.

3. Herniated discs: When the discs between your vertebrae slip out of place, they can press on your nerves and cause low back pain.

4. Arthritis: Arthritis can cause inflammation in your spine, which can result in low back pain.

5. Sciatica: Sciatica is a condition that occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down to your legs, is compressed or irritated.

At Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness, we offer a range of treatments that can help alleviate low back pain. Chiropractic adjustments can realign your spine and reduce pressure on your nerves, while massage therapy can relax your muscles and improve circulation. We also offer corrective exercises that can strengthen your core and improve your posture.

New Year's Resolutions...

We aren’t big on making resolutions. They typically aren’t successful for a myriad of reasons.

You can start taking better care of yourself at any moment. It does not have to be on January 1.

What we are big on, is being a resource for you to make lasting lifestyle modifications that improve your life now, and increase the likelihood of you enjoying it for a lot longer. Chiropractic is not just about getting you out of pain. Although it is good at that. It is about being in control of your health. Taking ownership of the things you surround yourself with, and the things that you put into your body.

Yes, our main focus in this office is movement , and helping you improve the way that you move through this life. We do this in order to empower you to move often (in whatever way suits you).

In short, don’t feel bad if you aren’t making a resolution. Just start heading in the direction of better health, even if they feel like baby steps, they are steps. We are here to help, reach out.

Mobility vs. Stability

One of the most helpful pieces of information in our line of work, is the idea of mobile joints vs stable joints. It’s no surprise that different joints come with different responsibilities, but remembering which joints are meant to move, and which are meant to maintain stability is a key takeaway.

For example, the foot likes to be stable, the ankle likes to be mobile, the knee is stable, while the hip joint is mobile. This alternating pattern continues on up the kinetic chain in order to coordinate complex movement patterns. We use this information in order to take a step back and look at the way the body is functioning as a unit. If you have knee pain, there is a high likelihood that either the hip or ankle, or both is lacking mobility. They aren’t moving enough (which is their job), so the knee has too move more (not it’s job).

Treat Locally, Think Globally

We always want to treat locally while thinking globally. This way we avoid needless, and often less-effective treatments. This will save time, and money in getting people back to whatever movement they enjoy. We say this, to say that it may seem weird that we focus on joint structures that are not the ones in pain. Pain is an indicator that something is wrong. It fails to mention where that problem is located. That’s our job.

Change

Things in our office are slowly changing. We have a new logo, a new look, and with that a new renewed enthusiasm.

Alternatives

It is important to be adaptable, and willing to change overtime. Everything else around you is constantly changing and adapting, so you must as well. The same is quite true in terms of your body and overall health. If you have never been to a chiropractor, or tried massage, acupuncture, or the plethora of alternative medicine options, it may be that time.

Chiropractic and Your Change

Your body is constantly changing, adapting, and aging. Chiropractic can help with the changes you experience over time by allowing your body to have fewer obstacles in the way of adapting to age. As chiropractors, we remove those obstacles, whether they are mobility or stability issues. We add movement where you need it, and teach you methods to control the movement when there is an abundance. in doing so, you can allow your body the best chance at successfully adapting and changing over time.

The one thing that hasn’t changed in our office is our love for reconnecting you to the movement you know you should be able to experience. We will always be here for that. We want to help you move well, so you can move often.

Concussions and Chiropractic

Concussions have been a hot topic for a while in sports, and rightfully so. It used to feel as though only contact sports like football were a common place for such injuries, but we now know that almost any athlete can find themselves dealing with a concussion, or concussion like injury.

What Causes a Concussion?

Concussions are caused by forces that are applied either directly to the skull or by a whiplash effect created during trauma. Not to be too graphic but picture your brain shifting inside your skull. When you get hit the brain will shift in the skull and collide with the inside of the cranial cavity. As you can imagine, this will cause pain, swelling, cognitive processing issues, decreased reaction time, visual disturbances, etc.

Concussions were always managed with rest, which is a good start. Rest will allow the brain time to heal without exerting it with everyday tasks. However, this should only be one piece of the recovery puzzle. You will also want to focus on proper hydration (with water), omega-3 fatty acids (the brain uses these as fuel), anti-inflammatory diet (decrease inflammation in any way possible), and chiropractic care.

Chiropractic and Concussions

Chiropractic for concussions will help by increasing blood flow to the brain which will allow your brain to rid itself of the waste products caused from the healing process. It is also rare to have a concussion without some trauma to the cervical spine. Muscle balance, mechanics, and improved overall movement will be vital to recovery as well.

Through my experience in both Athletic Training and Chiropractic, I have learned quite a bit in the way of managing athletes who suffer from a concussion. I have also learned a lot from personal experience, as I have had 7 myself.

Orthotics and Feet

In our office we recommend orthotics and feet adjusting when your feet are bothering you. Orthotics are used to control the medial arch of the foot and how much it travels with each step. If there is excessive travel you can end up with plantar fasciitis, bunions, neuromas, etc.

How Do We Know If They Are For You?

If we determine through an examination that you need orthotics, we then measure the foot’s forefoot valgus/varus to see how much support is needed in the orthotic. After that, we adjust the foot, and re-measure. This is so we are placing your corrected foot into an orthotic and not merely matching the angles of a pathological foot.

Importance of The Foot

If you think about it, the foot is one of the most important structures in the human body when it comes to movement. Your feet need to be a stable foundation for us to work with. For example, if the foot travels too much into pronation with each step, that will then alter the amount of deviation experienced in your knee and then hip. We say it all the time, but sometimes symptoms in one area of the body are being caused by distant structures. This is called regional interdependence.

Are They Perfect?

The only downfall to orthotics, is once you have a pair, that is the best thing to have underneath your feet at all times. This can be an issue if you like to wear sandals or other footwear that are not conducive to orthotic devices. You really have to be disciplined in your approach to wearing them. If that not a problem, they really can make a big difference in your quality of life.

Headaches and Chiropractic

Headaches are often reported as the #2 reason for visiting a chiropractor. Right behind low back/ neck pain.

In typical chiropractic fashion, we aim to discover the reason behind the headaches. This can often be tricky, and lead to some in-depth questioning as headaches can have many origins.

Causes

Our examination and history-taking will first start with common things, as those happen commonly. For example, headaches are often caused by stress, caffeine, vision problems (out-dated prescription glasses, or sensitivity to light to name a couple), or mechanical changes in the neck and shoulder.

For the purposes of this writing, we will focus more on the structural issues that can cause headaches, as that is where we help out the most.

Anatomical Contributors

If you look at a picture of the neck and shoulders, you will see the that the muscles that attach to the shoulder blade and spine, often travel towards the head and base of the skull. Therefore, when there are muscle imbalances from side-to-side, spasms, or length-tension issues in theses muscles, they can change the way that you are able to use your shoulder and neck. These mechanical malfunctions cause abnormal tensions on the head and neck causing headaches.

In that same picture, you will also see all of the joints on the neck. When these joints do not have the movement that they are supposed to, other joints have to compensate for this lack of motion. In doing so, there is an abnormal amount of tension being placed on the adjacent muscular structures. You can see where we are going with this one.

How Do We Treat Them?

Once we know the cause of the headaches, we can help by providing any of the modalities of treatment that would work for specific sites and tissues. This includes, but is not limited to; chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue tools, cupping , dry needling, electro-therapy, and so on.

You may be wondering if we can help with the other causes of headaches (diet, stress, etc.) and the answer is yes! However, that may be best described in a seperate blog post. Stay tuned!

Who Do We Help?

In our office, we focus heavily on human movement throughout life (if you haven’t gathered that yet).

Our Background

While all chiropractors are trained to adjust and treat people of all ages, we all find our niche somewhere in the field. We found that ours in the part of the population that is the most ambulatory (walking, running, etc.). We have a background in Athletic Training, so we are able to diagnose and treat many sports related injuries as well.

While in chiropractic school, we received extra training in extremity (arms, legs, feet, etc.) work. We have the ability to treat a wide variety of extremity issues that arrive throughout daily life. We also pursued extra coursework in soft tissue treatment via instruments or tools and cups as well.

Continued Education

After finishing school, all chiropractors are required to continue their education by attending seminars. We have chosen a vast array of coursework over the years, but found that courses like dry needling, rehabilitation of sports injuries, and analysis of gait have been the most used in our office. We like to keep a lot of tools in the tool box!

Summary

In summary, all chiropractors are trained to see people of all ages with all types of complaints. From there, we all branch out to master certain areas of our profession that our particular skill sets are well suited.

Our skill set is geared toward helping you move well, so you can move often.

Why Movement?

At Balanced Chiropractic and Wellness we focus heavily on movement.

We believe that this is the best way to make the biggest impact on your life and the quality thereof. It is our goal to help you move well, so that you can move often (or as much as you would like to anyways).

Initial Examination

This is why a large portion of our initial examination is focused on screening movement, and trying to determine which structures need assistance in moving more effectively, efficiently, and without pain. We are looking for joints and soft tissues (ligaments, muscle, tendon, etc.) that do not have adequate motion, as well as looking at how well your brain controls the motion that you do have.

Once we determine where and what needs our expertise, we come up with a plan to get you back to doing what you love. We do this, by doing what we love…

Our Approach

At BCW, we utilize chiropractic adjusting techniques alongside adjunct therapies to provide mobility to joints and soft tissues when warranted. We use rehabilitation exercises to aid in the brain’s ability to properly control the motion that you had, and now have after treatment. This helps improve recovery time and results as a whole.

Our favorite tools are IASTM, dry needling, taping, and cupping to name a few. We are always learning new tips, tricks, and techniques to perfect our craft, and provide the highest quality of care for you and your family.

Chiropractic and Movement

We feel that the one thing that all chiropractic techniques have in common is there aim at improving movement, either locally or globally. Does that mean that chiropractic is really all about movement!?

We think so.