Most people call our office when they are experiencing back pain, neck pain or headaches. What about those achy and painful shoulders, wrists, knees and ankles? Yes it’s true that we examine and treat extremities. Sometimes these painful joints are related to problems with the spine, but sometimes they are a separate problem and need to be addressed as well. The extremities are often overlook as a possible pain generator and are just as important as the back and need to be functioning properly as well. Let’s review a few of the common extremity problems that can be improved with chiropractic.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This is a condition that affects the median nerve at the level of the wrist (or in some instances immediately below the elbow). The problem occurs when narrowing of the canal called the carpal tunnel narrows and compromises the nerve function. The narrowing can occur due to dysfunction of the wrist bones (there are 8 of them in each wrist). It can also occur due to dysfunctional muscles around the shoulder, elbow and forearm. These muscles extend down to the wrist and can cause compression at the carpal tunnel. Many carpal tunnel surgeries could be prevented by first treating the muscles and the joints of the shoulder, elbow and wrist. We talked about the traction unit in our office in the last newsletter and the benefits of neck and low back traction, our machine also has attachments for carpal tunnel traction and is beneficial for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Plantar Fascitis
This is a condition when chronic tension inflames the tissue on the bottom of your foot called the plantar fascia and can eventually leads to arch pain and heel spurs. Again the problem, in many instances, lies in a dysfunction of the ankle joints and muscles of the lower extremity. Without proper movement and proper control of the arches in your feet excess stress is added to the foot causing this condition. Keep in mind that these problems can manifest as low back pain, knee pain or hip pain as well.
We have various treatment procedures in our office: manipulation (spinal and extremity), traction, muscle stimulation, ultrasound, therapeutic exercises, flexibility exercises and nutritional supplementation. These are beneficial in treating not only neck and back pain but a variety of other ailments. So whatever “-itis” you have, we may be able to help. Tendonitis, bursitis, plantar fascitis, rotator cuff tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sinusitis, hip pain, knee pain, elbow pain, golfers elbow, tennis elbow, etc… Give us a Call.