(Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome) TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome is a painful condition of the jaw that involves the hinge joint (TMJ) which allows you to open and close your mouth. You have two TMJ joints, one on each side of your mouth or face. Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome is also referred to as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. The muscles involved in chewing open and close your mouth as well as allow you to glide or jut your jaw forward and side to side. Coordination of the various muscles of the jaw is essential to proper and painless jaw function. Imbalance in the muscles of the jaw can often cause jaw pain or jaw dysfunction which may show up as "clicking" or "popping" sounds during talking or chewing.
Function of TMJ Syndrome
When you open your mouth the lower surface of the TMJ or condyles glide forward. When you close your mouth the condyles glide back into their original position. It works like a hinge and is known as a "hinge joint". To assist in smooth operation of this movement, a soft disc of cartilage known as a meniscus, lies between the condyles and the inner surface of the joint. The disc serves to absorb and distribute shock to the TMJ from chewing, talking and yawning which are repetitive movements that occur thousands of times every day. The strongest muscle in the body by weight and size is the masseter muscle of the jaw and it can apply a force of up to 200 lbs to the molars of the back of your mouth located by the TMJ. The disc serves to distriubute the forces of chewing evenly throughout the joint.
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Syndrome
Two types of TMJ disorders that can be helped through Chiropractic care are:
1. TMJ Muscular Imbalance: This condition of the TMJ occurs when one or several of the muscles of the jaw are simply too tight or in spasm, causing the jaw to shift to the right or to the left during opening and closing of the mouth. This continuous abnormal shifting of the jaw irritates the TMJ, causing pain, irritation and inflammation of the joint which leads to the pain and spasm cycle. In other words, pain causes spasm and spasm in-turn causes more pain in an ongoing vicious cycle. This condition can be effectively treated through specialized massage, done by the doctor, to the muscles of the TMJ that are in spasm which stops the pain and spam cycle and helps to restore normal function to the jaw.
2. Acute TMJ Dysfunction: This condition typically occurs when sudden trauma to the jaw causes displacement of the cartilage pad in the jaw known as the meniscus. The jaw typically locks and it becomes difficult and painful to open or close the mouth or to talk, chew or yawn. The trauma can be in the form of a blow from a punch or a sports, auto or work related accident. It can also occur during the normal course of eating food that requires hard chewing or during a big yawn. This condition can be effectively treated through a specialized manipulation or adjustment to the jaw, done by the doctor, on the affected side which often immediately corrects the condition. (However in certain cases it does take multiple treatments)
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing pain contact our office to schedule a free NO obligation consultation with the doctor or email Dr. Garber with a question concerning your case for a quick response. Garber Chiropractic Care Center 770-386-7707
Chiropractic Care and Pain Relief for Cartersville, Acworth, Taylorsville, White and Euharlee GA.
Fibromyalgia is a unique, often used but relatively new diagnosis for unexplained body aches and pains accompanied by general fatigue and loss of energy. The pains are typically not localized to one region of the body such as the neck or lower back, but are generally spread throughout multiple regions of the body including but not limited to:
The pain originates in these regions but then spreads out, often times connecting one painful region to another and affecting large regions of the body or the body as a whole. A lot of individuals with Fibromyalgia wake with the pain and have morning stiffness of their joints. Some get relief once they move around for a while, however many don't. Many wake up tired even after a full night's sleep. Many have disturbed sleep, wake up numerous times during the night and never enter into the deep levels of restful sleep.
CAUSES
The cause of Fibromyalgia is medically unknown. Those who suffer from Fibromyalgia state that it is triggered by both physically and emotionally stressful situations, lack of sleep, changes in the weather or eating certain foods. It is the opinion of this author that much of what is causing the pain of Fibromyalgia is TOXIC OVERLOAD. The body has accumulated too many toxins through the air we breathe, the water we drink and the foods we eat. The toxins are being stored in the fatty tissues of the body, causing inflammation of the tissues and leading to bodily aches and pains. It is also the opinion of this author that some who suffer from the symptoms of Fibromyalgia actually have a low functioning thyroid which can lead to the symptoms of fatigue, loss of energy, lack of drive, feeling cold, weight gain, poor digestion and of course aches and pains of the body. Although not everyone with Fibromyalgia will have a low functioning thyroid gland, all should be checked to rule it out and then treated appropriately if found.
There is no specific blood test to diagnose fibromyalgia. The diagnosis is purely made on the basis of the patients symptoms and an examination of 18 specific points on the body for Pain and Tenderness. Those points are seen in the illustration below. To be diagnosed with fibromyalgia you must have had the symptoms of widespread pain for at least 3 months with eleven of the eighteen points tender or painful to touch.
Misdiagnosis:Fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed or mistakenly diagnosed for the following conditions:
Before accepting the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, make sure you truly have the appropriate symptoms, the tender points on your body and have ruled out all of the above misdiagnosed conditions.
With full blown, chronic Fibromyalgia, many of the body systems are affected. Here is a list of the various body systems and how they can be affected by Fibromyalgia:
Central Nervous System
Muscular System
Urinary System
Eyes
Digestive System
Reproductive System
Skin
Jaw
Systemic
Treatment
Although no single specific treatment is available, many individuals have success controlling their symptoms through a multi-disciplinary approach including Chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, appropriate dietary changes, exercise, stretching and a positive mental/spiritual outlook. Our recommendations are one or several of the following:
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing pain contact our office to schedule a free NO obligation consultation with the doctor or email Dr. Garber with a question concerning your case for a quick response. Garber Chiropractic Care Center 770-386-7707
Chiropractic Care and Pain Relief for Cartersville, Acworth, Taylorsville, White and Euharlee GA.
The aftermath of spinal surgery is not always good. Some are helped, some are not. 10-40% of individuals suffer with on-going pain and disability after surgery. Certain individuals who have had back surgery are either not improved or are worse off than they were prior to the surgery. This is called "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome". To make the condition sound palatable, and leave out the word "Failed" this syndrome has recently been re-named "Post Surgical Continued Pain."
Causes of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Click this link For detailed information on Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Recent studies reveal that "Cox Flexion Distraction Technique" a method used in this office can be effective at reducing the pain and improving the quality of life in individuals who suffer from "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome."
A recent article published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine revealed that a 55 year old male postal worker who had recently undergone a spinal fusion was still having pain and spasms in his lower back as well as right sided buttock and leg pain. After undergoing 13 Cox Flexion Distraction treatments the patient was Pain Free. A two year follow up revealed that the patient was still Pain Free.
Another article recently published in The Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics showed 32 cases of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome with an average pain of 6 (on a 1-10 scale) was reduced to an average pain of 2 after receiving an average of 14 Cox Flexion Distraction treatments.
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing pain contact our office to schedule a free NO obligation consultation with the doctor or email Dr. Garber with a question concerning your case for a quick response. Garber Chiropractic Care Center 770-386-7707
Chiropractic Care and Pain Relief for Cartersville, Acworth, Taylorsville, White and Euharlee GA.
Whiplash is not a true medical term but is more of an expression used to describe an injury to the spine that occurs when unexpected movement of your neck comes to an abrupt and grinding halt. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding whiplash. To see where you are in your understanding of the condition, take the following five question quiz. Let's get started.
(Answers follow the last question)
1. The average collision speed in most rear-end automobile accidents is:
2. Regarding healing of injuries from whiplash, which of the following is most accurate:
3. According to crash test studies using human volunteers, the lowest speed that is still enough to create injury to the neck is:
4. In modern passenger cars, permanent damage to bumper systems begins to occur at:
5. Which of the following is most correct concerning whiplash and children:
ANSWERS: 1. d 2. c 3. c 4. c 5. a
So how did you do? The quiz should key you in to some important information concerning whiplash injuries such as:
To begin with, there are numerous scientific terms for a whiplash injury, the best one being CAD, which stands for Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration injury. This term describes what happens during a whiplash injury ..... rapid fire acceleration of the head and neck followed by a sudden STOP of all movement. This action simulates a "Snapping Whip" thus the term "Whiplash." The end result is injury to the local soft tissues, such as muscles, ligaments, tendons and discs along with injury to the hard structures or vertebrae. The soft tissue structures are stretched beyond their elastic limit and tear, just like the elastic band on your underwear tears when stretched too far. The hard vertebrae are damaged from excessive compressive forces "jamming" them together. The end result is a wide array of different aches, pains and often bizarre symptoms like dizziness and memory difficulties.
Common symptoms of a "Whiplash" injury:
Severe "Whiplash" injuries may include: (WAD - Whiplash Associated Disorders)
The Mechanism of a "Whipash" Injury
The most common motor vehicle accident that causes "Whiplash Injuries" and "Whiplash Associated Disorders" is when one car is struck from behind (struck vehicle) by another car (bullet vehicle), commonly known as being rear-ended.
The energy of the collision passes through the "bullet" vehicle to the "struck" vehicle and then to the passengers. The amount of energy is determined by the weight of each vehicle and the speed of travel. If you are struck by a vehicle that is larger (heavier) than your vehicle and moving faster than your vehicle, more energy is transferred to you and your passengers, putting you at greater risk for whiplash injuries. If the cars are damaged, the energy was partially absorbed by the crunching and buckling steel, if the cars are not damaged the energy gets directly transferred to you and your passengers. Either way, injury can be the end result!
Other causes of "Whiplash" injuries?
Although most commonly caused by automobile collisions, they can occur from sport related activities and falls that cause the neck to get suddenly jerked. Recent studies using high speed cameras and sophisticated crash dummies reveal that during a rear end collision, the lower part of the neck snaps backward while the upper part of the neck snaps forward creating an awkward "S" type configuration which leads to a damaged neck.
"Head restraints" and "Whiplash" injuries
You are probably thinking that you are protected from a whiplash injury because you have "head restraints" on your car seats. Believe it or not, in certain instances they can actually increase the degree of injury. With rear end collisions your body tends to ride up the back of the seat as much as 3 1/2 inches, raising your overall height and forcing your head and neck to buckle backward over the restraint ......So if the head restraint is set too low it can actually cause more damage as your head and neck pivots backward over the restraint instead of being stopped by it. Another important factor in the proper use of head restraints is the distance of the back of your head to the restraint. More than 2-3 inches away renders the restraint nearly useless because of the forward lunge of the body making the restraint almost nonexistent.
Ways to prevent or minimize "Whiplash" injuries
Proper positioning of the Head Restraint
The center of the head restraint should be at the level of the top of your ear as demonstrated in the picture above. The idea is for the back of your head to hit the restraint in an accident, not your neck The distance between your head and the head restraint should be no more than 3 inches so if the restraint can be tilted forward, move it so that it is no more than 3 inches from your head, or closer if possible.
Does speed and damage to the vehicle matter?
There are many who think that because they were in a low speed accident and there was little or no damage to their vehicle that the likely hood of injury from the accident does not exist .......NOT SO!
According to an article in Dynamic Chiropractic, written by Dr. Arthur Croft, a world renowned expert in "Whiplash" injuries, current research reveals that, 29% on individuals received minor injuries at 2.5 mph and 38% at 5 mph. Although these injuries were minor and temporary, they did include neck pain and headaches.
The research also reveals that damage to vehicles typically does not occur until somewhere between 8-12 mph. Conclusion .... injuries occur during low speed motor vehicle accidents even in the absence of vehicle damage!
More information concerning "Whiplash Injuries"
THE GOOD NEWS
Research reveals that Chiropractic Therapy has a greater than 93% success rate in treating patients with whiplash injuries, even in the late or chronic stages ....
Injury Journal 1996;27(9)"Whiplash" injuries can be effectively treated with a combination of Chiropractic Adjustments to realign misaligned vertebrae, and physical therapy to speed up healing of the damaged soft tissues. Cox Flexion Distraction, a form of traction done by the doctor that helps to separate the vertebrae and promote healing of damaged disc's may also be helpful. A good nutritional " joint formula" may be indicated for the treatment of damaged cartilage and other soft tissues in the injured spinal areas.
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing pain contact our office to schedule a free NO obligation consultation with the doctor or email Dr. Garber with a question concerning your case for a quick response. Garber Chiropractic Care Center 770-386-7707
Chiropractic Care and Pain Relief for Cartersville, Acworth, Taylorsville, White and Euharlee GA.
In general terms, shoulder and arm pain can come from two sources. The first to consider would be pain coming down from the neck and landing in either the shoulder or arm. This is known as "Referred or Radicular Pain". The second would be pain generated directly from the shoulder itself as the result of inflammation or injury. Let's explore both.
Referred Pain - This is pain felt in regions of the shoulder, arm, elbow, hand or fingers that is actually coming from small nerves deeply seated in the various tissues of the neck. For example, injury to a small ligament or muscle deeply seated in the neck can actually refer pain down into the shoulder or arm. Referred pain is a unique phenomenon of the nerve system and by definition is "pain felt in the body at some place other than its actual place of origin" (World English Dictionary).
Radicular Pain - This is pain felt in regions of the shoulder, arm, elbow, hand or fingers that is actually coming from large nerves deeply seated in the region of the neck. Radicular pain from the neck is often called "Radiculopathy or Brachialgia". Both terms refer to pain running down from the neck to the shoulder and arm and as far down as the finger tips. Radicular pain is more complex than referred pain in that it more likely involves a herniated disc or bone spur.
Causes of Referred or Radicular Pain into the Shoulder or Arm
1. Spinal Imbalance (Subluxation)
Misalignment or restricted movement of one or several segments within the neck leads to “Spinal Imbalance” and is a common cause of neck pain. The Chiropractic term for this is “Subluxation”. 
It simply means improper function or alignment within the neck. It would be similar to the front end of your car being out of alignment which leads to a “wobbly” or “shaky” ride. In the neck it leads to irritation of the nerves which in turn causes pain. Spinal imbalance or subluxation in the neck can be a source of referred pain into the shoulder and/or arm. Spinal imbalance can be effectively treated through the use of Chiropractic adjustments thus alleviating the neck pain.
2. Disc Degeneration
The little cartilage pads that sit between the vertebrae are scientifically known as “vertebral disc’s. Due to either injury or age related wear and tear, these discs can deteriorate. When this occurs the disc begins to flatten and the vertebrae come closer together closing off the openings where the nerves make their exit. This in turn leads to irritation of the nerves which results in pain. Disc degeneration in the neck can be a source of referred or radicular pain into the shoulder and/or arm. Disc degeneration can be helped through a combination of Chiropractic adjustments, Cox Flexion Distraction, physical therapy, nutritional supplementation, exercise and appropriate life style changes.
3. Disc Herniation
Due to injury or strain the little cartilage pads that sit between the vertebrae can get damaged and shift causing them to bulge or herniate and contact the very delicate nerves in the area. This in turn can cause local neck pain or pain that travels all the way down the arm to the hand and fingers. Disc herniation in the neck can be a source of radicular pain into the shoulder and/or arm. Disc injuries can be effectively treated with Cox Flexion Distraction, a form of traction done by the doctor which helps to reduce the pressure inside the disc thus reducing or eliminating the disc bulge. For detailed information on this procedure click on the "Spinal Decompression" link on this web site.
4. Arthritic Degeneration
Due to age related wear and tear or a history of injury, the bony structures around the vertebrae can breakdown and deteriorate which is medically known as Osteoarthritis. This leads to the formation of bone spurs which can contact the delicate nerves in the area causing neck pain. Arthritic degeneration in the neck can be a source of referred or radicular pain into the shoulder and/or arm. Arthritic degeneration can be effectively treated with Cox Flexion Distraction, a form of traction done by the doctor that helps to separate the vertebrae and relieve the pressure on the nerve structures. Along with Chiropractic adjustments, the traction helps to restore movement in the arthritic areas making it less likely that the spurs will come into contact with the nerves. A good "joint formula" nutritional supplement can also be helpful in the successful treatment of arthritic degeneration of the spine.
5. Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spaces or openings in the spine resulting in compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. It is the long term result of spinal degeneration or arthritis and is typically associated with disc degeneration and significant loss of disc height. It is primarily a condition of the elderly. Spinal stenosis in the neck can be a source of referred or radicular pain into the shoulder and/or arm. When treated properly it can respond favorably to Chiropractic care. One study showed that lumbar spinal stenosis patients improved by 76% and disability improved by 73% in 57 patients treated with "Cox Flexion Distraction" which is a method used in this office. Dr. Garber teaches "Cox Flexion Distraction" as an upper quarter elective to the students at Life University in Marietta Georgia.
6. Muscle or Ligament Strain or Sprain
Due to overuse as in weekend 
sports or gardening or an event like a car accident, the muscles around the neck can be subject to more strain than they can handle thus injuring some of the muscle fibers. Medically this is known as muscle strain. Muscle strain leads to inflammation which in turn leads to neck pain. Muscle strain/sprain in the neck can be a source of referred pain into the shoulder and/or arm. Through the use of Chiropractic adjustments, massage, physical therapy, exercise and appropriate lifestyle changes, muscle strain can be effectively treated and resolved thus eliminating the neck pain.
Shoulder Pain From Direct Injury Or Inflammation
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with a large range of movement. It also has four major muscle attached to it that control all of its movement. These four muscles combined are known as the "Rotator Cuff". Such a mobile joint tends to be susceptible to injury. Pain in the shoulder is a common complaint, and there are many common causes of this problem. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms so that appropriate treatment can be directed at the cause. There are numerous types of painful shoulder conditions such as dislocation, separation, labral tear, SLAP lesion, biceps tendon rupture, ligament sprains, calcific tendonitis, and several others. Some common causes of shoulder pain seen in a Chiropractic office include:
Lets briefly explore a few of the different causes of shoulder pain:
Shoulder Bursitis or Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
(impingement syndrome)
Any term ending in "itis" always indicates that inflammation is present. Simply put, bursitis is inflammation of a bursa or protective pad and tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon or the structure that holds a muscle to a bone.
Another term used to describe this is "impingement syndrome". Impingement syndrome occurs when there is inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons and the bursa that surrounds these tendons. Impingement simply means that something is getting pinched and that is exactly what is happening in this case. Due to the inflammation and swelling of these structure, when you move your shoulder in certain directions the bursa and/or the tendons get pinched....this leads to PAIN! Although bursitis and rotator cuff tendonitis are separate conditions, they often occur simultaneously. Through a combination of Chiropractic adjustments to the spine and the shoulder, combined with electrical muscle stimulation (physical therapy), exercise, nutritional supplementation, and life style changes these type shoulder problems can be nicely resolved.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes painful and restricted movement of the shoulder. The cause of a frozen shoulder is not well understood, but it often occurs after some form of trauma or for no known reason at all. Frozen shoulder causes the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint to contract and form scar tissue. The scar tissue surrounding the shoulder causes the joint to become very stiff and especially painful to raise out to the side of the body. Frozen shoulder most commonly affects patients between the ages of 40 to 60 years old, and it is twice as common in women than in men. Patients with diabetes are at particular risk for developing a frozen shoulder. Through a combination of Chiropractic adjustments to the spine and the shoulder, combined with physical therapy, exercise, nutritional supplementation, and life style changes these type shoulder problems can be resolved.
Shoulder Joint Instability
Shoulder instability occurs when the structures that hold the shoulder joint in place do not work properly to maintain the ball within its socket. If the joint is too loose, is may partially slide or slip out of place, a condition called shoulder subluxation. If the joint comes completely out of place, this is called a shoulder dislocation. Patients with shoulder instability often complain of a feeling that their shoulder is about to slide out of place--which is labeled as "apprehension". Shoulder dislocation tends to occur in individuals who have had a prior traumatic dislocation due to weakened and damaged muscles and ligaments, in young athletes who don't have fully developed muscles and ligaments, and in "Double-Jointed" individuals who have naturally loose joints. Through a combination of Chiropractic adjustments to the spine and the shoulder, combined with physical therapy, specific shoulder stabilization exercises, nutritional supplementation, and life style changes these type shoulder problems can be helped.
Shoulder Arthritis
Osteoarthritis or "wear and tear" arthritis is the most common type of arthritis that affects the shoulder. Also called degenerative joint disease (DJD), osteoarthritis is characterized by a slow but progressive wearing away of the cartilage within a joint. As the protective cartilage surface of the joint is worn away by shoulder arthritis, bare bone can be exposed within the shoulder. Arthritis of the shoulder typically begins to affect individuals in the 5th decade of life and becomes increasingly evident in individuals with a history of prior shoulder injury such as football players or heavy construction workers. This is one type of arthritis that patients state is affected by the weather making the patient a more accurate meteorologist than the ones on TV. Some of the more common symptoms associated with shoulder arthritis are:
Through a combination of Chiropractic adjustments to the spine and the shoulder, combined with physical therapy, specific shoulder exercises, nutritional supplementation, and life style changes these type shoulder problems can be helped.
Natural nutritional supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate appear to be effective in certain individuals for treatment of shoulder arthritis. Many patients find moderate but significant relief with these products for symptoms of shoulder arthritis.
Paresthesia
(Pins and Needles)
Paresthesia is a diagnostic term that refers to a feeling of tingling, prickling, numbness or burning usually felt in the arms or hands. Most of you have experienced temporary paresthesia or "pins and needles" by falling asleep on your arm or hand while it was sandwiched under your head. When you woke up your arm or hand was asleep and tingling and so you got up and shook it out.
What is the cause of Paresthesia (Pins and Needles)
Temporary paresthesia is caused when too much pressure is placed upon blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to a nerve for too long a period of time, irritating the nerve or disrupting its function. Once pressure is removed from the blood vessels and the blood begins to flow, the nerve "wakes up" or begins to properly function again and the condition goes away within a few minutes.
Chronic paresthesia is more complicated and is due to a variety of neurological conditions. Disorders such as strokes or TIA's (Transient Ischemic Attacks - Mini Strokes) can cause ongoing paresthesia in the arms or legs. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome and other nerve entrapment syndromes can also be the root cause behind paresthesia or "pins and needles" in the arm or legs. Serious conditions such as multiple sclerosis or brain tumors and aneurisms can also be a root cause behind paresthesia.
In our office, the most common cause for paresthesia is the subluxated or misaligned vertebrae. When a vertebrae misaligns, it puts too much pressure on the exiting nerves causing pain or sometimes just causing numbness and tingling which is medically known as paresthesia. The good news is that subluxations can be corrected or reduced often times eliminating or minimizing the paresthesia as pressure is relieved off of the involved nerves.
For more information on Paresthesia or Pins and Needles visit the two websites below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paresthesia
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/paresthesia/paresthesia.htm
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing pain contact our office to schedule a free NO obligation consultation with the doctor or email Dr. Garber with a question concerning your case for a quick response. Garber Chiropractic Care Center 770-386-7707
Chiropractic Care and Pain Relief for Cartersville, Acworth, Taylorsville, White and Euharlee GA.
There are two categories of pain that can come from the lower back and run down into the leg, these are "Referred pain" and "Radicular pain". Listed below is a brief explanation of both:
Referred Pain - This is pain felt in regions of the leg such as the buttock, groin or back of the thigh that is actually coming from small nerves deeply seated in the region of the lower back. Referred pain from the lower back does not have a predictable pattern and will vary from person to person. For example, injury to a small ligament or small muscle deeply seated in the lower back can actually refer pain downward in to the back of the buttock and thigh. Referred pain is a unique phenomenon of the nerve system and by definition is "pain felt in the body at some place other than its actual place of origin" (World English Dictionary).
Radicular Pain - This is pain felt in regions of the leg such as the buttock, back of the thigh, back of the calf and foot that is actually coming from large nerves deeply seated in the region of the lower back. Radicular pain from the lower back does have a predictable pattern and will be similar from person to person. Radicular pain from the lower back is often called "Sciatica". The term Sciatica refers to a pain running down the leg that follows a particular pattern formed by the "Sciatic Nerve" a large nerve coming from the lower back. Typically the course of this nerve pain starts in the lower back and then proceeds to run down behind the buttock and back of the thigh and further extends down into the lower leg, calf, ankle foot and toes.
The two categories, referred and radicular pain are often mistaken one for the other and must be carefully discerned by your doctor through proper diagnostic procedures.
Causes of Referred and Radicular Leg Pain
Referred and Radicular pain into the leg can arise from similar sources. The defining factor is which nerves are being affected the small or the large? Some of the more common conditions that cause Referred and Radicular pain are listed below:
Common Source of Radicular Pain
Common Source of Referred Pain
As you can see by the charts above there is some overlap for the two types of leg pain so leave it to your Chiropractor to determine which one you have. There are severe conditions of the lower back that actually involve both types. The conditions that can cause Referred and/or Radicular pain are listed below:
1. Spinal Imbalance: Misalignment or restricted movement of one or several segments within the lower back leads to “Spinal Imbalance” and is a common cause of lower back pain. The Chiropractic term for this is “Subluxation”. It simply means improper function or alignment within the lower back. It would be similar to the front end of your car being out of alignment which leads to a “wobbly” or “shaky” ride. In the lower back it leads to irritation of the nerves which in turn causes pain. The type of nerve pain that would typically come from spinal Imbalance would be "Referred Pain". Spinal imbalance can be effectively treated through the use of Chiropractic adjustments thus alleviating the lower back pain.
2. Facet Syndrome: On the back side of each vertebra are a pair of joints that serve to stabilize the vertebrae while also allowing certain movements to take place. These joints are called “Facets”. This is a common area of strain from heavy lifting, repetitive twisting and prolonged forward or back bending. It is estimated that 15% to 40% of lower back pain stems from the facets. The type of nerve pain that would typically come from Facet Syndrome would be "Referred Pain". Problems with the facets respond very nicely to a combination of Chiropractic adjustments, exercise and appropriate life style changes.
3. Disc Degeneration: The little cartilage pad that sits between the vertebrae are scientifically known as “vertebral disc’s". Due to either injury or age related wear and tear, these discs can deteriorate. When this occurs the disc begins to flatten and the vertebrae come closer together closing off the openings where the nerves make their exit. This in turn leads to irritation of the nerves which results in pain. The type of nerve pain that would typically come from Disc Degeneration would be either "Referred Pain" or "Radicular Pain" and possibly both depending the severity of the disc degeneration and which nerves are being affected. Disc degeneration can be helped through a combination of Chiropractic adjustments, Cox Flexion Distraction, physical therapy, nutritional supplementation, exercise and appropriate life style changes.
4. Disc Herniation: Due to injury or strain the little cartilage pads that sit between the vertebrae can shift causing them to bulge or herniate and contact the very delicate nerves in the area. This in turn can cause local lower back pain or pain that travels all the way down the leg to the foot and toes. The type of nerve pain that would typically come from Disc Herniation would be "Radicular Pain". Disc herniation can be effectively treated with Cox Flexion Distraction, a form of traction done by the doctor which helps to reduce the pressure inside the disc thus reducing or eliminating the disc bulge. For detailed information on this procedure click on the "Spinal Decompression" link on this web site.
5. Spinal Stenosis: Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spaces in the spine that the nerves exit from resulting in compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. It is the long term result of spinal degeneration or arthritis and is typically associated with disc degeneration and significant loss of disc height. It is primarily a condition of the elderly. The type of nerve pain that would typically come from Spinal Stenosis would be either "Referred Pain" or "Radicular Pain" and possibly both depending on which nerves are being affected. When treated properly it does respond favorably to Chiropractic care. One study showed that lumbar spinal stenosis patients improved by 76% and disability improved by 73% in 57 patients treated with "Cox Flexion Distraction" which is a method used in this office.
6. Arthritic Degeneration: Due to age related wear and tear or a history of injury, the bony structures around the vertebrae can breakdown and deteriorate which is medically known as Osteoarthritis. This leads to the formation of bone spurs which can contact the delicate nerves in the area causing lower back pain. The type of nerve pain that would typically come from Arthritic Degeneration would be "Referred Pain" although when severe it could cause both "Referred Pain" and Radicular Pain". Arthritic degeneration can be effectively treated with Cox Flexion Distraction, a form of traction done by the doctor that helps to separate the vertebrae and relieve the pressure on the nerve structures. Along with Chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy, the traction helps to restore movement in the arthritic areas making it less likely that the spurs will come into contact with the nerves. Supplementation with a good joint formula can also be helpful in the treatment of arthritic degeneration of the spine.
7. Muscle or Ligament Strain/Sprain: Due to overuse as in weekend sports or gardening or an event like a car accident, the muscles around the lower back can be subject to more strain than they can handle thus injuring some of the muscle fibers. Medically this is known as muscle strain. Muscle strain leads to inflammation which in turn leads to lower back pain. The type of nerve pain that would typically come from Muscle or Ligament Strain/Sprain would be "Referred Pain". Through the use of Chiropractic adjustments, massage, physical therapy, exercise and appropriate lifestyle changes, muscle strain can be effectively treated and resolved thus eliminating the neck pain.
Paresthesia
(Pins and Needles)
Paresthesia is a diagnostic term that refers to a feeling of tingling, prickling, numbness or burning that can be felt in the legs and feet. Most of you have experienced temporary paresthesia or "pins and needles" of your leg when you sat with your legs crossed for too long a period of time. All of the sudden you noticed that your leg was asleep and tingling and so you got up and walked it out.
What is the cause of Paresthesia (Pins and Needles)
Temporary paresthesia is caused when too much pressure is placed upon blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to a nerve for too long a period of time, irritating the nerve or disrupting its function. Once pressure is removed from the blood vessels and the blood begins to flow, the nerve "wakes up" or begins to properly function again and the condition goes away within a few minutes.
Chronic paresthesia is more complicated and is due to a variety of neurological conditions. Disorders such as strokes or TIA's (Transient Ischemic Attacks - Mini Strokes) can cause ongoing paresthesia in the arms or legs. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome and other nerve entrapment syndromes can also be the root cause behind paresthesia or "pins and needles" in the arm or legs. Serious conditions such as multiple sclerosis or brain tumors and aneurisms can also be a root cause behind paresthesia.
In our office, the most common cause for paresthesia is the subluxated or misaligned vertebrae. When a vertebrae misaligns, it puts too much pressure on the exiting nerves causing pain or sometimes just causing numbness and tingling which is medically known as paresthesia. The good news is that subluxations can be corrected or reduced often times eliminating or minimizing the paresthesia as pressure is relieved off of the involved nerves.
For more information on Paresthesia or Pins and Needles visit the two websites below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paresthesia
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/paresthesia/paresthesia.htm
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing pain contact our office to schedule a free NO obligation consultation with the doctor or email Dr. Garber with a question concerning your case for a quick response. Garber Chiropractic Care Center 770-386-7707
Chiropractic Care and Pain Relief for Cartersville, Acworth, Taylorsville, White and Euharlee GA.