Today’s Discussion: How Core Strength and Low Back Pain Are Related

In the world of Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, and Sports Medicine, there is much debate and discussion revolving around the topic of “core strength.”  The reason this topic has been so highly discussed is usually in regards to the fact that research has shown us that individuals possessing greater core strength and stability often have reduced incidences of things like low back pain, sports injuries, and postural dysfunction.  With this article I would like to discuss exactly what the core is and the role it plays in helping us stay injury and low back pain free.

Core Muscles

The core is made up of a lot of different muscles and tissues all working in synergy to provide a solid foundation for the body to operate upon.  One thing that people often mistake about the core is the actual muscle groups it incorporates.  It is not just the abdomen that needs to be strong in order to have a strong core; in fact it is much more than that.  The core does include the abdominal musculature like the rectus abdominis, and the obliques, but the back or posterior part of your body needs to be equally if not greater in strength and stability.   Having strong back muscles, along the spine as well as having deep “stabilizer” muscles will help your body better react to everyday forces that are applied to it.  Along with having strong back muscles, having strong and flexible leg muscles is also extremely important.  The hamstrings need to be flexible and firing properly, along with the big muscles like the gluteus maximus or your “butt muscles.”  Yes, there should be muscle there, not just a seat cushion!  If muscles like the gluteus maximus and hamstrings are strong and doing their job, they will help stabilize the pelvis, which in turn will help decrease some of the forces and load that is placed on the lumbar spine or “low back.”

The chiropractors at Mountain View Pain Center are well trained in identifying weaknesses in your core musculature.  If low back pain is your problem, it is very possible that there is dysfunction in your core.  Through soft tissue treatments and rehabilitative exercises, core dysfunction can be treated successfully and ultimately lead to you having less pain, and having increased ability to do the things you want to do in life.  If you have questions or concerns related to your posture, pain, or core weakness, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Herniated Cervical Discs

Did you know that one of the most common causes of numbness, weakness, and pain down your arm could be related to a herniated cervical disc?

Other signs and symptoms of a Cervical disc injury in patients are pain/numbness starting in the lower neck which can radiate to the chest, trap, shoulder, and even down through the arm into the hands and fingers.

Definition of a Herniated Cervical Disc

Most commonly defined as a rupture of the annulus fibrosus (commonly known as the rings of the disc that hold the nucleus made up of a jelly like substance in the center). When this rupture occurs the nucleus will herniate/bulge pinching the cervical nerves causing the pain or numbness to occur. This herniation is most commonly one sided and often occurs at C5 or C6.

Causes of Herniated Cervical Discs

There are several reasons why discs herniate. One of the more common causes of a disc herniation/bulge is progressive degeneration. As we continue to age there is increased pressure, and decreased function of the spine which causes a higher risk for injury. Bad posture, trauma, and whiplash injuries are just some of the mechanism of injury that can cause a herniated disc. These factors show how important it is to take care of your spine.  Even a minor sports injury can cause decreased function of the neck, which as we mentioned early puts the disc at risk and increase likelihood of further injury .

Treatment of Herniated Cervical Discs

One of the most critical steps to take in the treatment of your symptoms is locating a facility that provides the type of care you need to get back to living a healthy life. At Mountain View Pain Center or goal is to not only free you from symptoms, but to correct the issue to prevent from further injury. We can obtain these goals with our state of the art equipment and doctors with extensive knowledge of spinal injuries.  We use traction therapy, scar tissue removal, soft tissue mobilization, physical therapy, and chiropractic care to achieve the desired results.

If you have questions about your condition please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to help. We have offices located in Centennial, CO and Aurora, CO and we accept all major insurances as well as affordable cash plans.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hip Pain

Are you having trouble moving around because of a hip problem?  Are you having difficulty walking up or down stairs?  Is it painful to turn your body on the bed?  Hip pain is a common complaint that can arise from a myriad of conditions ranging in levels of severity and complexity.  The hip is also an area where pain can be felt that is generated from distant sources (referred pain).  Hip pain can be very painful and cause a lot of your daily activities to be very challenging.  However, the good news with hip pain is that often times these problems are easily treatable.

Common Causes of Hip Pain

There are many reasons that can be causing your hip pain; one of the most common is referred pain coming from the back.  In older individuals osteoarthritis of the hip joint is a problem that affects 25% of women and 15% of men over the ages of 60.  Osteoarthritis is the most common disease affecting the hip joint.  Other factors that can predispose you to osteoarthritic changes are prior incidents of trauma such as fracture or dislocation, family history of this disease, obesity, or other diseases affecting the joint.  Muscles and ligaments of the hip joint can become sprained or strained and cause sudden intense pain.  The joint itself can become fixated or restricted, which causes a decrease of range of motion and function, which can affect your daily activities and movement patterns.

Treatment of Hip Pain

There are many different avenues to take when it comes to treating hip pain.  Traditionally some patients take medications for pain relief, while others will opt for surgery to address the problem.  Still, more and more patients are turning to alternative treatments addressing a more natural and holistic approach such as chiropractic and physical therapy.  When joints of the spine or extremities are fixated the nerves become irritated sparking an inflammatory response and pain begins to set in.  Chiropractic care specializes in restoring proper joint and nerve function through various manipulation techniques.  Chiropractic care is much more than just manipulation however, at Mountain View Pain Center we incorporate techniques such as Graston, myofascial release technique, functional movement screening, and various physical therapy modalities and exercises coupled to fit your specific problem.  Our team of chiropractors will take you through an extensive evaluation to determine the proper diagnosis of your complaint. Please feel free to contact us at one of our offices and we will be more thank happy to answer any questions you might have.

Chiropractic Care for Migraine Headache Treatment

A randomized controlled trial of 6 months’ duration in February of 2000 was done to look at the benefits of chiropractic care for the treatment of migraines. One hundred twenty-seven volunteers between the ages of 10 and 70 years old were diagnosed with having headaches based on the International Headache Society standard, with a minimum of at least one migraine per month. Participants were asked to complete a headache diary during the entire trial noting the frequency, intensity, duration, disability associated symptoms, and if they used any medication for each migraine episode. The results of the study showed that approximately 90% of participants reported significant improvement in the number of headaches and a decrease in the intensity and duration of each episode due to chiropractic care.

Diagnosis of Migraines

Treatment of theses types of headaches can vary from the two different types of migraines. A migraine without an aura is the most common form of the headache which, accounts for 80% of migraines. The less common but more painful migraine is with an aura. This type of headache will cause patients to see spots of white. Proper diagnosis of the type of migraine is very important in the treatment of this type of headache.

Our Chiropractors specialize in treatment of migraine headaches. We will design a treatment plan that will help you get out of pain and improve your quality of life. If you or someone you know is suffering from headaches and are looking for help, please feel free to give us a call. Our office is located in Centennial and Aurora CO, which is conveniently located to Denver CO, Highlands Ranch CO, Littleton CO, Lone Tree CO, and Greenwood Village CO.

Alternative Treatment for Postmenopausal Women

As some of you may have seen in the news there is new research about breast cancer and postmenopausal women that was released this month by JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association).  The research was done on 16,608 menopausal women ages 50-79 that were taking estrogen plus progestin which showed an increased rate of breast cancer. The most troubling aspect of the research was the breast cancer that was showing up in these women was the most aggressive kind of breast cancer. The question that arises is what are women to do then?

Treatment of Postmenopausal Women

First talk with your doctor if you are having mild to moderate symptoms of menopause. Taking these drugs might not be worth the risk.  If you or someone you know is having symptoms of menopause and seeking alternative treatment, we offer a safe vitamin protocol for menopause.  If you would like more information about the vitamins, please feel free to email or call us at the office, or if you like to read more about the research you can find copy online or we can email you a copy. We have two locations one at 8216 S Holly St Centennial CO 80122 303-221-1569 and 6616 S Parker Rd Suite 106 Aurora 303-645-4363. Which are conveniently is close to Denver CO, Lakewood CO, Parker CO, Littleton CO, Highlands Ranch CO, Cherry Hills CO, Lone Tree CO, and Greenwood Village CO.

Centennial CO Chiropractors Discuss Causes of Back Pain

Centennial CO Chiropractors discuss the causes of back pain and how chiropractic can help. According to the United States National Library of Medicine back pain affects 8 out of 10 people in the United States. So, the question is what causes back pain? The cause of back pain from person to person will differ; some will suffer from disc conditions such as a bulged disc or degenerative disc diseases.  Both of these conditions will cause back pain but it is important to know what condition you have in order to treat you properly.

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