Causes of Back Pain

Back pain may occur due to various reasons; be it a sports injury, pulling a heavy object or a fall/ injury to the spine. If you are suffering from back pain, it would be wise to have a look at some of the common risk factors and causes of back pain by consulting a Chiropractor.

Risk Factors

The risk of back pain varies in different individuals, depending on their lifestyle. People who work in a mentally stressful job, smoke or go through strenuous physical work are more susceptible to back pain than those who don’t. Other factors such as pregnancy, anxiety, depression and obesity can also lead to this condition. Age is also a factor, as older individuals are at a higher risk than younger ones.

Causes Of Back Pain

Strain

The most common cause of back pain is strained muscles and ligaments, which may be a result of lifting something heavy or a sudden awkward movement. It can also be caused by improper posture due to a bad mattress or sitting position.

Structural Problems

The human body is a complex structure composed of bones, muscle, ligaments and joints. A fault in any of these can cause numerous problems, including back pain. Some particular structural problems that may affect the back are as follows:

Arthritis

Arthritis can cause various joint problems in the hips and lower back.

Bulging And Ruptured Disks

The vertebra in our spine is cushioned by a disk, so a ruptured disk would result in more pressure on the nerves, resulting in back aches. A bulging disk would put even more pressure on the nerves.

Sciatica

A bulging disk can also press on a nerve in the spine, causing a shooting pain through the buttocks and down the legs.

Curvature Of The Spine

An unnatural curvature of the spine can cause the space around the spinal cord to narrow, causing back pains.

Osteoporosis

A vertebra fracture can be caused by the bones becoming more brittle.

Conditions, There are also some conditions which may cause back pains.

Spinal Cancer

A growth or tumor on the spine may press against a nerve.

Infections

Infection on the nerves (shingles) and spine may also cause pains.

Cauda Equine Syndrome

The growth of nerve roots at the bottom of the spinal cord can cause a dull pain, as well as lack of feeling in the upper buttocks.

Basics of Chiropractic Care

Cervical Spine (Neck)The cervical spine is the structure connecting the brain to the rest of the body. It envelopes the spinal cord that runs messages from the brain to the other parts of the body and vice versa. Not only does it contribute to keeping safe the most delicate part of the body, but it also regulates flow of blood to brain and supports the head.

The bones in the neck enable you to rotate your head in various directions. Any stiffness or injury can hamper your functionality. There are several types of neck pains that can be a source of constant stress.  Several people rely on medication and heating pads and even opt for surgeries (as a last resort), however, an effective and non surgical treatment of chiropractic can be miraculously helpful.

Chiropractic Care

Overview

In the year 1895, this healing technique was founded by D.D. Palmer. It is comprised of manual therapies and is said to alleviate musculoskeletal concerns. Under a musculoskeletal condition, the joints, muscles, nerves, tendons and ligaments of an individual are affected. An impact on the aforementioned can result in minor discomfort and pain to more serious conditions.

World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005 published an article that considered chiropractic techniques to be a medicine and surgery free health profession. The main focus of the practice is in the area of the spine. The method of adjusting and manipulating spinal joints dates back to the time of Hippocrates and continued to thrive over the years. Now the spinal manipulation is practiced in several different parts of the world.

Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation is the most emphasized aspect of chiropractic practices. It involves the art of using manual therapy to activate the joints and muscles. With the use of the hands, the practitioner moves the joints and muscles, as per the required treatment. You might remember watching a scene in several different movies or television shows where a stiff back was fixed by giving a sudden jerk. Following a muscle popping sound, the individual would be relieved of pain.

Similar is the scenario under a chiropractic practitioner, however, it takes into account safety and consent of the individual in pain in opposition to the situations depicted on television. The motive of spinal manipulation is to enable the normal movement of the body by relaxing tight muscles and loosening joints.

Not only is spinal manipulation an important asset for a chiropractic practitioner; the use of exercise and electrical devices are also common. The electrical modalities are devices that stimulate the joints and muscles.

Spinal manipulation is the core element of chiropractic treatments and is immensely effective for relieving neck pain. Performed by a licensed and certified practitioner and being characterized as non surgical and medicine-free, this might be turn out to be an appropriate option for you.

Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Eli Christman

Erchonia PL5 Cold Laser Therapy is here!!

Chiropractic Works prides itself in keeping up with the latest advancements in technology to promote speedy recovery for its patients.  The Erchonia PL5 is just that!  It is a Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT); a painless, sterile, non-invasive, drug-free treatment for a variety of inflammation, pain, soft tissue injuries and fractures, and a host of neurological and other conditions. Athletic injuries, painful post-herpetic neuralgia (shingles), Carpal Tunnel, whiplash, can all be healed or improved, often up to 60% faster, thereby reducing the cost of treatment or healing time for many conditions. Go to our Services tab to learn more.

2013 African American Festival

Chiropractic Works was honored to be a part of the July 2013 African American Festival, presented by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the City of Baltimorehttp://www.africanamericanfestival.net/ With over 150 vending booths and attractions, nearly 500k visitors and several stages of entertainment (who could pass on featured artists such as Patti LaBelle and Fantasia!), the 2-day celebration offered something for everyone from shopping and food to spectacular performances, health screenings and information, children’s activities, arts, history, education and much more. Chiropractic Works offered a “Spinning Wheel of Health” with healthy prizes such as free or discounted Therapeutic Massage, Physicians Weight Loss Center promotions, and complimentary Chiropractic exams.

Chiropractic Works helps celebrate local Alum Chaper’s Health Fair

Chiropractic Works participated in the Baltimore Alumni Chapter’s – Epsilon Nu Sigma (Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.) LISTEN, LEARN and LIVE health fair on June 29. The Fraternity brothers’ event, organized by Shannon Hayes, was a most energized and fun event, complete with important health and wellness booths such as the Maryland Donor registry,and education on various conditions such as Lupus, breast cancer, living will information, etc. Zumba and Fitness demonstrations were positioned throughout the fair. Just loved the energy! Chiropractic Works provided literature and consultation offerings as well as a raffle for our therapeutic massage component of our practice. We will definitely do this one again! :)

Juneteenth Celebration June 15

Chiropractic Works/Coastal Bodyworks was proud to participate in Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, dating back to 1865. The Baltimore County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. hosted their 20th Annual Juneteenth Festival on a beautiful Saturday, June 15th, in Randallstown, complete with a parade of bands and other entertainment, historical speeches and awards, food, and health and wellness tables. Chiropractic Works offered wellness literature and information on its therapeutic massage component. There were a few promotions in the air as well!

Chiropractic Works attends Wellness Event at Govans Presbyterian Church

Chiropractic Works  and its Coastal Body Works massage component attended a wonderful wellness event at Govans Presbyterian Church, York Road, on June 8, sponsored by Better Health, Better Life, a grassroots organization focusing on health education outreach. Along with wonderful healthy food, demonstrations and talks, Chiropractic Works offered information and consultations on its natural approach to health living, including therapeutic massage and chiropractic care.

Chiropractic Works and its Coastal BodyWorks component attend BCRP’s Wellness Fair May 21, 2013

Baltimore’s Recreation & Park’s (BCRP) pitch of “Be healthy – Be Happy” was never more true at its Employee Health and Wellness Expo on May 21st. at the Cylburn Arboretum Vollmer Center, Greenspring Ave, Baltimore. Chiropractic Works and its Massage component, Coastal BodyWorks attended this fun and healthy event, providing 2 free massages as part of BCRP’s grand raffle as well as it’s own table raffle for massage gifts. Dr. Juliet made a special visit to the event where participants were thrilled to receive a posture screening by the Dr. Employees (and health exhibitors) were served delicious healthy refreshments throughout the morning. A shout out to Deirdre Gold from BCRP who organized this event! Fun fact: The toilets in this center are compostable designed!

Chiropractic Works visits the Catonsville Senior Center

As part of an ongoing wellness outreach commitment to the surrounding community, Chiropractic Works www.chiropractorbaltimoremd.com participated in a health fair on April 25, 2013, at the Catonsville Senior Center on 501 N Rolling Road. Dr. Juliet Worley and Jeff Boyd offered mini chiropractic focus consultations to interested seniors, focusing on the treatment of pain, backache, mobility issues and overall wellness. Dr. Worley offered posture screening as an added instructional outreach aide.

Baltimore Chiropractor Contains Future Back and Heath Issues

As we all know our bodies are magnificent machines which can handle great stress. They are designed to register pain so we can diagnose any problems which occur. Unfortunately, our nervous system, which is designed to register our pain, only picks up a small percentage of our problems. By the time our body realizes many of our problems, we are already beyond repair or in the degeneration process. This process may be so severe, it may even affect our main life source, our spinal cord.

Chiropractors believe that if we remove interference from the nervous system our body will have the ability to heal itself. We focus on the prevention, diagnoses, and treatment of mechanical disorders. The main chiropractic treatment technique involves manual therapy, including manipulation of the spine, other joints, and soft tissues. Treatment also includes exercises, health, and lifestyle counseling.

Many other medical specialists work with patients who have already suffered due to illness or injury. In the chiropractic field we like to focus on the future. With our help the rate of deteriorating health will decrease and you will be able to live a longer, pain free life.