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Sciatica

Sciatica is the name for a set of symptoms, which can include lower back pain, pain in the buttock, and pain down the back of one leg. People suffering from sciatica may also feel tingling, pins and needles, or numbness down the affected leg.

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and there are many spots along its path where it can get pinches and create sciatica.

The three most common causes for a pinched sciatic nerve are:

1. Spinal misalignment
2. Herniated or inflamed disc
3. Muscle spasm of the piriformis muscle (located in the buttocks)

The only way to figure out which of these is causing your symptoms is to see a professional. A chiropractor will assess the alignment of the spine and other joints, as well as determine if the muscles are contributing to the problem. If necessary, an MRI or x-ray will be ordered to see the discs.

Chiropractic is a very effective approach to treating sciatica, no matter which factor is causing it. The chiropractic adjustments will restore proper biomechanics to the misaligned joints, decrease inflammation around the discs, and calm the muscles.

For more information about sciatica and low back pain, please contact us at 978-664-1500. We are located at 350 Park St. in North Reading, MA. Communities we serve Chiropractic Care to include Andover, Reading, Wilmington, Stoneham, Woburn, Lynnfield, and Tewksbury.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)

As the name indicates, most cases of DDD occur due to wear and tear of the spine and it is usually detected from age 40 and older. Even though symptoms don’t usually arise until later in life, DDD is a progressive condition and the process of degeneration can begin at any age, depending on lifestyle, injuries, and posture.

When DDD takes place, the discs that are located in between the spinal vertebrae start to shrink in size, which decreases the amount of shock absorption from the spine. This can also lead to osteoarthritis in the spine.

Once the process of DDD begins, there is little you can do to reverse the damage. Chiropractic treatment is one the most recommended and researched methods to stop DDD in its tracks and prevent it from getting worse. Chiropractic is also used to prevent other areas of the spine from degenerating. The best time to begin chiropractic care is before DDD sets in.

For more information about degenerative disc disease and chiropractic care, please contact us at 978-664-1500. Denaro Chiropractic is located at 350 Park St. in North Reading, MA. Communities we serve Chiropractic Care to include Andover, Reading, Wilmington, Stoneham, Woburn, Lynnfield, and Tewksbury.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type of arthritis that usually affects males beginning around age 20. It causes inflammation in and around the spine, which creates chronic pain and stiffness. The changes that occur in the spine due to this arthritis may include spinal fusion, hunched over posture, bone spurs, and degenerative discs.

In order to diagnosis AS, imaging is required, such as X-ray and/or MRI. In some cases, AS is a genetic condition and can be confirmed from a blood test.

Management of AS includes chiropractic care and exercise. At Denaro Chiropractic, we perform very gentle adjustments to the spine, which is the appropriate technique when working with patients with AS and any type of spinal fusion.

For more information about Ankylosing Spondylitis and Chiropractic care, please contact us at 978-664-1500. We are located at 350 Park St. in North Reading, MA. Communities we serve Chiropractic Care to include Andover, Reading, Wilmington, Stoneham, Woburn, Lynnfield, and Tewksbury.

There are many different types of headaches and recognizing which type of headache you suffer with, will help determine the best treatment.

 Tension Headaches:

Symptoms: These headaches usually feel like a tight band around the head. Pain and tension is usually also felt in the neck and upper back/shoulders.

The Mayo Clinic reports that these headaches can last up to a week and may become chronic. More than 3 million people in the US suffer with these kinds of headaches.

Cause: Stress and tension are triggers for these headaches – but they are not necessarily the cause of the headache.

The most common causes are misalignments in the spine, which will cause muscle tension along the base of the skull, neck, and upper back.

Treatment: With chiropractic care, we get to the source of the problem by correcting the misalignments in the spine. Once the spine is aligned properly, the muscle tension will be reduced. Chiropractic adjustments also help your body manage stress better. Most people under chiropractic care report that they feel relaxed, sleep better, and focus better on a daily basis.

Migraines:

Symptoms: Sometimes migraines with present with an “aura”. An aura precedes the migraine and the person may experience light-headedness, dizziness, seeing stars, loss of vision, etc. Once the migraine hits, it will cause pounding and throbbing in the head and behind the eyes. Nausea often accompanies a migraine, as well. A migraine can last for hours or days.

Cause: There are many different causes of migraines. Migraines can be caused by a hormonal imbalance, certain foods or food ingredients, or spinal misalignments.

Treatment: There is currently no cure for migraines. Some people may be able to figure out what triggers their migraines and can avoid those triggers. Misalignments in the neck can pinch nerves and blood vessels, which can cause a migraine, as well. Chiropractic adjustments will get rid of the misalignment(s) and allow the muscles and other structures to have proper blood flow and nerve signals.

Cluster Headaches:

Symptoms: These headaches are less common but much more severe. These are called Cluster Headaches because they come in cluster episodes. The pain will be sharp/burning and on one side of the head and usually behind the eye. The most common factors are: male gender, cigarette smoker, alcohol consumption.

These headaches will last 1-2 weeks and are very painful.

Cause: The exact cause is unknown but may be related to the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain that runs our biological clock.

Treatment: Many people who get cluster headaches will follow prevention protocols in addition to seeking natural healthcare, such as chiropractic adjustments. Things to avoid or limit include:

-Eliminating afternoon/evening naps; avoiding any major changes in sleep habits

-Avoiding use of alcohol during cluster period

-Avoiding extreme changes in altitude, due to changes in oxygen levels

-Limiting exposure to chemical agents (oil-based paint, gasoline)

-Avoiding tobacco use

 Sinus Headaches

Symptoms: With a sinus headache, people may feel pain or pressure around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. The pain may worsen with bending over or laying down.

Cause: Sinus headaches can be associated with a tension headache or migraine. These types of headaches are not necessarily caused by a sinus infection, in which case antibiotics are not beneficial.

Treatment: Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve headaches. An adjustment will also improve the movement of lymph fluid and mucus in the sinuses. After an adjustment, people usually feel their sinuses start to drain and relieve the pressure in the head.

For more information about headaches and chiropractic, please contact Denaro Chiropractic at 978-664-1500. We are located at 350 Park St. in North Reading, MA. Communities we serve Chiropractic Care to include Andover, Reading, Wilmington, Stoneham, Woburn, Lynnfield, and Tewksbury.