Extremities

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The shoulder and hip joints are two of the most mobile and frequently used joints in the body. They are also a frequent site of injury and pain for many of our patients.  From overuse to sports injuries, the causes are many, and the results range from slight discomfort to complete immobilization. 

The actual cause of arm or leg pain can be difficult to self-diagnose. If you have had an obvious injury, such as stressing a joint through a repetitive pattern at work, dislocating a shoulder playing sports, or pinching a nerve by falling asleep in an awkward position, the source of your immediate pain may be obvious. However, when pain in the arms or legs develops slowly over time without the occurrence of an obvious injury or accident, or when the pain from an injury has become chronic and the source becomes perplexing, you may be in need of a more thorough assessment to determine the source.

There are a number of different possible sources for the pain including bursitis, arthritis and tendinitis, but misalignments (subluxations) of the vertebrae in the neck and lower back are responsible for the vast majority of chronic arm and leg pain. If the spaces where the nerves leave the spine become narrowed because the vertebrae or discs are out of position, the nerve can become irritated, and often produces pain down its entire path. Many patients are surprised when they see that the nerves travel from the spine all the way to the ends of their fingertips and toes.

As a result, injuries to the vertebrae in the spine can create the sensation of pain anywhere along the entire length of the arms and legs. The pain patterns associated with sciatica, which run from the hip all the way to the foot, are a good example of how this works.

Chiropractic Treatment for Arm and Leg Pain

Due to the complexity of the joints and the vast number of possible causes of your leg or arm pain, it is important to have a professional evaluation to determine the source. Using a combination of a thorough review of your medical history, a physical examination, and advanced imaging techniques, a chiropractor can get a comprehensive picture that will lead to the root cause of your pain. Using non-invasive and carefully applied adjustments, chiropractors assist the body in gently re-positioning the vertebrae which can provide both instant and long term relief. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a painful condition that happens when the median nerve in your wrist is compressed by swelling, often due to an underlying medical condition. It is one of the most common conditions affecting the nerves. Traditionally there were few options to deal with this problem and those available, such as surgery and medication, were invasive and expensive. Fortunately, Dr. Stephens offers an alternative to surgery, Shockwave Therapy. If you are wondering whether your wrist pain is caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and want more details on the alternative treatments available, then read on.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is usually accompanied by sensations of burning, pain, tingling, or swelling in the palm of the hands and extends into the first three fingers and the thumb. Occasionally people also report a feeling of swelling in the hand even when no swelling is present. Patients commonly experience weakness in the affected hand and have difficulty with picking up small objects. This condition can have a major impact on a person's lifestyle and in some sever cases, if left untreated, the damage to the median nerve can cause permanent loss of movement in the hand.

What is the Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The pain experienced with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a result of the swelling and misalignment of tissues and bone which then press on the nerve. Often there is an underlying problem. Some patients have had an obvious injury, a stress or break to the wrist, that causes the symptoms to develop.

The most common cause is related to occupations that involve the long term use of vibrating instruments and the repetitive use of the hands and wrist. At other times, this issue seems to develop out of nowhere. Metabolic disorders involving the pituitary and thyroid gland can be a contributing factor to the unexplained development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, as can pregnancy and obesity. More commonly, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, that develops in one or both wrists without a clear cause, is the result of a nerve irritation stemming from the spine.

How is Carpal Tunnel Treated?

Traditionally, Carpal Tunnel treatment has been limited to decompression surgeries, physiotherapy, and prescription medicines. Due to the fact that these options often fail to deal with the underlying problem, they may only provide short-term relief and, at times, can prove completely ineffective. When left untreated, or when unsuccessfully treated, people are forced to adapt their lifestyles to accommodate this debilitating issue. This may include quitting one's job and needing help with basic everyday living.

Chiropractic medicine is a non-invasive alternative that seeks out and deals with the underlying cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. A chiropractor will perform an evaluation of your condition and formulate an individualized treatment plan that will work to correct nerve interference in the spine and restore you to an optimal state of health. If you are noticing any signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome do not hesitate to call our team at Stephens Pain Recovery Center today for a consultation.

 We don't think much about our shoulders until they start to give us pain. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body and as a result it is subject to a wide range of injuries and conditions.

Shoulder problems that go unchecked can lead to lifelong, debilitating issues. In order to properly treat the shoulder joint and achieve long-term relief it is important to identify the cause of shoulder pain. This article explains some of the common causes of shoulder pain and how chiropractic care can return the shoulder to functional health.

The causes of shoulder pain are seemingly endless, but let's go over some of the more common causes for pain in the shoulder. Shoulder pain may be the result of conditions, such as:

• Neck and upper back tightness
• Spinal misalignment
• Arthritis
• Abnormal patterns of movement
• Athletic injuries and automobile accidents

While a few of the items on this list may indicate localized swelling in the shoulder joint, more of them point to the spine as the probable source of pain. The nerves that control the shoulder originate in the spine. If the vertebrae around the neck and upper back are compressed or injured, the nerves that go to the shoulder will be irritated and cause pain. Even a minor spinal misalignment can interrupt communication between the nerves and the shoulder and a cascade of problems can begin. So, what appears as shoulder pain may actually be referred pain from the spinal column.

Symptoms of Shoulder Injury

Due to the wide range of causative factors, shoulder pain and abnormal motion in the joint may develop gradually or come on suddenly. Symptoms of a shoulder injury are occasionally very subtle, but even these can develop into major issues. Since the shoulder joint is used in the vast majority of activities that we engage in daily, all symptoms involving the shoulder should be monitored carefully and treated promptly to avoid progression of the problem. Symptoms indicating the need for an immediate evaluation of the shoulder complex include:

• Shoulder pain that lasts for more than a week
• Shoulder pain that goes away and then returns frequently
• Difficulty raising your arm above your head
• Trouble or pain when carrying objects
• Pain in the shoulder joint that becomes more pronounced in the evening
• Any visual signs of damage to the joint such as bruising or swelling
• Unusual snapping or clicking sensations in the joint during movement
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Chiropractic Treatment for Shoulder Pain

Chiropractic care is a gentle and non-invasive alternative to medications and surgeries that provides fast and effective results. Streetsboro chiropractors are trained to deal with issues in the spine and the shoulder complex that result in shoulder pain. In order to determine the cause of your shoulder pain, a chiropractic treatment begins with a thorough evaluation process, using information provided from your medical history, and advanced imaging techniques. Once a correct diagnosis is achieved it will then be used to develop an individualized treatment plan that will help ensure a fast recovery..