770 386 7707

Garber Chiropractic Care Center

of Cartersville, Ga.

Dr. Steven Garber has prepared, and will be publishing, an informative series of articles explaining the cause and effect of Spinal Injury as it relates to Neck and Back Pain.  These documents are to provide, those interested, with comprehensive information to understand the nature of the pain that they may be experiencing.  Understanding the problem is the first step in correcting it.  Dr. Garber has over thirty years of experience in helping patients relieve pain and enjoy normal active living.  Chiropractic Care can offer pain relief to many types of pain and injury.  Both he and the staff of the Garber Chiropractic Center are a resource to the community, offering information and a free consultation to those in need.   

 

Chiropractic Care and Pain Relief for Cartersville, Acworth, Taylorsville, Kingston, White, Emerson, and Euharlee Georgia

 

Headaches

migraine

Types of Headaches

In order to effectively treat any problem it is important to understand what causes it. There are several different types of headaches however the more common ones seen in a Chiropractic office are caused by:

  • Tension of the muscles in the head and neck
  • Blood vessel changes of the head and neck
  • Sinus congestion, allergies or inflammation

A headache can send pain to different areas of the head such as the temples, forehead or the back of the head and neck. Chiropractic can be a great help to those headaches involving muscle tension and changes in vascular flow. Sinus headaches may be effectively treated as well but may require medical attention in cases of infection.

The three main types of headaches most often found in chiropractic offices are:

  1. Tension Headaches
  2. Cervicogenic Headaches
  3. Migraine Headaches

2 head painTension Headaches

When we become stressed, frightened, or angry, the body will respond with increased muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, or head. Repetitive strain such as poor posture at a work is also a common source of muscle tension. Constant muscle tension can cause misalignment of the little bones in the neck called vertebra, which in turn irritate the nerves going up to the head. If stress or postural strain becomes constant in our lives, the muscle tension can become just another habit. All of this can lead to a "muscle tension headache". Chiropractic adjustments along with deep tissue massage help to relax the tight muscles and realign the spine to end this vicious cycle of pain. Tension headache patients often see improvement within just a few treatments as the spine becomes more aligned, the nerves become less irritated and the muscles become more relaxed. If you or a loved one are experiencing tension headaches, contact our office to schedule a no charge, no obligation consultation with the doctor or email Dr. Garber a question concerning your case for a quick response. We are here to help!

Migraine Headaches

Migraines are brought about by changes in vascular flow, triggered by a variety of factors such as different foods, smells, weather, hormonal changes, and stress. These very painful headaches do not always start off as pain. They can begin with nausea or the person may experience a halo effect called a "pre-migraine aura". Chiropractic treatment may play a significant role in reducing the intensity of migraine headache pain and the number of migraines a person has. At times and in certain cases the migraine headaches can be completely eliminated. By careful adjustments to the neck and other areas of the spine, chiropractic care can reduce nerve irritation in the spine, and improve vascular flow to the head. Many migraine sufferers find relief for their headaches through a combination of Chiropractic adjustments and deep tissue massage. Reducing or eliminating "migraine triggers" in certain foods such as chocolate, cheese, wine, coffee and MSG or certain smells such as perfumes, room deodorizers and cleaning chemicals can also be very helpful in certain cases. Certain vitamins and/or herbal supplements can also be helpful in the treatment of Migraine headaches. 

Cervicogenic Headaches

The last type of headache mentioned sounds a bit scary, but it simply means a headache that is coming from irritation of the vertebrae, muscles, or nerves of the neck. Misalignment or as Chiropractors put it "subluxation "of the vertebrae within the neck leads to irritation of the local nerves and muscles. This in turn can cause pain in the back of the neck and head or as far forward as the temples and forehead. Misaligned or subluxated vertebrae occur as a result of trauma such as work or auto related injuries as well common every day stresses and strains from home and sports related activities. Cervicogenic headaches can be helped through a combination of Chiropractic adjustments, deep tissue massage, exercise and appropriate life style changes. 

Treatment Types

Chiropractic treatment for headaches in general centers around the idea of adjusting or manipulating the spinal column and neck to improve posture and blood flow. Adjustments can be done by hand or by the use of very gentle and precise instruments that involve no "cracking" or "popping" to the neck. Along with the adjustments and depending on your situation we may also recommend deep tissue massage, stretching exercises, stress management, dietary changes, nutritional supplementation, and basic changes in posture.

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.

Lower Back Pain

lower back full BW-red2 600xThe lower back is also known as the lumbar spine. It is the most common area of pain and injury in the whole spine. The lumbar spine bears the burden of carrying the body’s weight making it prone to stress and strain and potential injury.

Interesting Facts Concerning the Lower Back:

1) During a lifetime, 60-80% of people develop lower back pain

2) There are approximately 5.2 million Americans presently disabled with a lower back condition

3) LBP is the #1 cause of disability in persons under 45

4) USA overall annual cost to take care of lower back disorders = $50 to $100 billion

5) 62% of disc disorders occur in the lower back (36% in the neck, 2% in the mid back)

6) Total number of spine operations annually = 1,175,000 (2007 statistic)

7) Back surgery is “Big Business” .....$40,000 for a fusion operation

8) From 1992 to 2003 spending for lumbar spine fusions went from $75 million to $482 million

9) According to a Washington State workers compensation study done between 1996 and 2001, lumbar spinal fusion rates increased from 3.6% to a whopping 58% with no improvement in disability rates or re-operation rates.

10) Only 5-10% of lumbar disc patients actually require surgery.

Causes of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain can come from a variety of different sources.  Some of the more common conditions that cause lower back pain are listed below:

  1. Spinal Imbalance (Subluxation)
  2. Facet Syndrome
  3. Disc Degeneration
  4. Disc Herniation
  5. Spinal Stenosis
  6. Arthritic Degeneration
  7. Muscle Strain

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. Spinal imbalance can be effectively treated through the use of Chiropractic adjustments thus alleviating the lower back pain.

revised-final-subluxation01

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. Problems with the facets respond very nicely to a combination of Chiropractic adjustments, exercise and appropriate life style changes.

bigstock facet 155725820 800

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. Disc degeneration can be helped through a combination of Chiropractic adjustments, Cox Flexion Distraction, physical therapy, nutritional supplementation, exercise and appropriate life style changes.

Lumbar-degeneratiive-disc-disease

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. 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.

DiscHerniation-final 800x455

5. Spinal Stenosis: Stenosis is the narrowing of the spaces in the spine that the nerves exit from resulting in compression or "pinching" of the spinal cord or nerve roots. It is the long term result of spinal degeneration (wear and tear) or arthritis and is typically associated with disc degeneration and a loss of disc height. It is primarily a condition of the elderly. 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.

Lumbar-spinal-stenosis 400x640

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.

DDD BGuzzo

This leads to the formation of bone spurs which can contact the delicate nerves in the area causing lower back 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. Nutritional supplementation in the form of a good "Joint Support Formula" can also be helpful in treating Arthritic Degeneration of the spine.

7. Muscle Strain: 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. 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.

lower back tight 600x

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.

Neck Pain

neck shoulder back BW 2 600xThe neck is also known as the cervical spine. In terms of painful complaints, it is second only to the lower back. The neck is designed to provide support for the head while allowing an incredible amount of movement, giving you the ability to look up or down and to turn in extreme ranges, as in backing your car out of a parking spot.

Wonders of the Neck

  1. The neck contains 36 separate joints, the most complex joint system in the human body.
  2. The neck is a mobile cylinder of bones that protects its delicate nerve system contents.
  3. The neck effortlessly balances a 10-15 lb ball ....the head.
  4. The neck moves over 600 times per hour.
  5. The neck is subject to stress and strain in ordinary everyday activities such as: speaking, gesturing, rising, sitting, walking, turning about, sleeping etc.
  6. The necks position discloses mood and attitude: The neck down suggests - depression, withdrawal, sadness, mourning, prayer The neck up suggests - optimism, confidence, “chin-up” attitude.
  7. A “pain in the neck” is such an unpleasant experience that it is used as an expression for an annoying person or event.

Causes of Neck Pain

Pain Neck pain can come from a variety of different sources. Some of the more common conditions that cause neck pain are listed below:

  • Spinal Imbalance (Subluxation)
  • Disc Degeneration
  • Disc Herniation
  • Arthritic Degeneration
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Muscle Strain

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 can be effectively treated through the use of Chiropractic adjustments thus alleviating the neck pain.

revised-final-subluxation01

Degeneratiive-disc-disease-790x645

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 can be helped through a combination of Chiropractic adjustments, " Cox Flexion Distraction, physical therapy, nutritional supplementation, exercise and appropriate life style changes.

DiscHerniation-final 800x455

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 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 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" can also be helpful in the successful treatment of arthritic degeneration of the spine.

Spinal-Stenosis-good-bad 577x433

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. 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.

neck pain2 600x

6. Muscle Strain: 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. 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.

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.