Conditions
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, we can help:
- Headaches
- Neck pain or shoulder pain
- Athletic injuries
- Numbness in the arms or legs
- Lower back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Automobile accidents
- Work related injuries
In an asthma attack, children and adults respond similarly, with severe congestion, swelling, and other allergic type reactions in response to various irritants. As the reaction progresses, breathing becomes more difficult and in some cases life-threatening. The bronchioles swell with mucous and go into spasm. This closes the airways and causes the asthmatic to wheeze and gasp for air.
Although the traditional methods for controlling asthma and allergies are numerous, sickness and death from asthma appear to be increasing. As stated in The New England Journal of Medicine in February of 1992, this trend is as least partially due to side effects from regular use of inhaled medications.
In a recent study, children with asthma showed an overall improvement in lung capacity after only 15 chiropractic adjustments. Other findings documenting abnormal spinal mechanics associated with asthma were performed by the famous osteopathic researcher Alan Stoddard. Stoddard stated that many diseases are due to mechanical lesions (vertebral subluxations). There is ample research documenting the intimate connection between the spinal column, the nervous system, and the respiratory system. Vertebral subluxations in the neck and upper back can produce associated muscle spasms, which cause a restriction and stasis of the lymphatic drainage from the head and neck. As a result, the body is unable to wash out the bacteria, debris, and foreign material to which it is exposed. As this vital process is slowed, the phagocytic activity within the lymphatic chain (drainage of waste, bacteria, etc.) is interrupted, and invasion of the offending bacteria multiplies. Chiropractic adjustments in many cases will produce immediate relaxation of the neck musculature responsible for obstructing the lymphatic (neck) drainage. These adjustments improve respiratory function by restoring normal nerve function, which in turn may result in symptomatic improvement in bronchitis and asthma.
In several studies, researchers found spinal adjustments to induce respiratory function and chest mobility superior to that produced through conventional medical bronchodilators, expectorants, and corticosteroids. Various symptoms of abnormal respiratory function may improve clinically with chiropractic adjustments. The primary muscle for breathing is the diaphragm. It is composed of two muscles, the left and right hemi diaphragms, which separate the chest and abdominal cavities. The phrenic nerve (C3, C4, and C5 - neck nerves) powers the diaphragm. If the nerve supply is interfered with, such as a subluxation in the neck, the diaphragm weakens and breathing becomes impaired. Additional muscles, such as the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, scalene, and pectorals, operate to assist the diaphragm during a period of increased breathing effort, such as during exercise or severe respiratory illness. All of these muscles must have a nerve supply to work. Subluxations interfering with normal nerve supply can cause muscular imbalances leading to a weaker respiratory tract. Restoring nerve supply by correcting vertebral subluxations not only improves muscle tone, but actually aids in overall body function, especially in the immune response.
The chiropractic approach to health care is natural. It does not try to stimulate or inhibit normal body function. Instead, the chiropractor addresses the important role of the nervous system in the healing process. The results can be dramatic, as in a 1989 Danish study of 115 families with children ages 0 to 7 years suffering from asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy. One third of the children underwent chiropractic adjustments, after which 93% of the parents surveyed reported improvement in their child's asthma condition.
Pregnancy is a natural condition and should be no more difficult than any other phase of life. There is no need to believe that backaches, headaches, leg pains, morning sickness, etc. are normal inconveniences you must bear during your pregnancy. Many pregnant women receive regular chiropractic adjustments, lower back traction, etc. throughout their entire pregnancy to alleviate most, if not all, discomforts mentioned above. Most drugs can have a harmful affect on the fetus.
Obstetrics is a required course of study for all chiropractors in the U.S. and even though we do not deliver babies in most states, mothers turn to chiropractic care for their prenatal care. As a chiropractor, we are specialists trained in the bio-mechanical and physical aspects of what may be causing unnecessary pain and/or discomfort during your pregnancy. Correcting the spinal stress and postural distortions irritating spinal nerves cannot be overemphasized. Removing the spinal irritation will allow for more restful sleep and less hip, leg, and lower back pain. Some mothers comment that because of regular chiropractic care during their pregnancy, the delivery was easier.
Specific chiropractic treatment’s could be: gentle flexion-distraction on specially designed tables (e.g., Cox Tables) that allow pregnant women to lie face down, pregnancy massage, applied Kinesiology, and/or gentle mobilization to remove spinal pressure on the lower back and hips, activator technique, and/or applied trigger point therapy. The treatment best for you will be decided by Dr. Stover after he examines you; at which time he may discuss with your OB/GYN various plans that would be best for you.
The safety of chiropractic can be addressed in some of the following web sites listed.Chiropractic is safer than medications and/or drugs in dealing with pain.
http://www.acatoday.com/content_css.cfm?CID=85
http://www.dcdoctor.com/pages/rightpages_wellnesscenter/pregnancy/chirocare.html
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/chiropracticcare.html
http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/connecticut/chiropractic.htm
This information is provided to broaden the understanding of whiplash injuries.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash occurs when the head is violently snapped back and forth. Since your neck is the most flexible part of the spine, it is more vulnerable to injury.
Four Major Types of Injury Occur
- Muscle Injury:
During an accident your muscles are often stretched or strained. This can lead to painful swelling and tenderness in the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
- Nerve Injury
As the muscles are stretched, so are the nerves. Nerves can be stretched too far or "pinched." This occurs more often if your head was turned during the impact or your headrest was not positioned properly.
- Joint Injury
The key to the movement in your neck is the joints located in each of your cervical vertebrae. They allow the bones to move smoothly over each other. Injury to these joints may cause pain in the area of the affected joint and/or pain in other areas of the body, such as the arms and shoulders.
- Disc Injury
Discs function as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. They make space for the sensitive nerves to exit the spinal cord. A whiplash injury can cause these discs to bulge, herniated, or rupture, which may lead to painful nerve irritation.
Whiplash can also occur from sports impacts, slips, and falls.
Symptoms of Whiplash
- Neck Pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Blurred Vision
- "Pins and needles"
- Numbness
- Reduced Mobility
How Can Chiropractic Care Help?
Proper treatment of any condition involves treating the cause and not just the symptoms. As a chiropractor, Dr. Stover is specially trained to pinpoint the root cause of your symptoms. Your symptom may stem from a new injury or one sustained years ago. Dr. Stover will review your complete health history and perform a thorough physical examination to reveal any underlying physical problems.
- Chiropractic care can provide pain relief and increase your mobility and flexibility.
- Increased mobility and flexibility allow your body to heal faster.
- Chiropractic care is a safe, effective treatment for whiplash.
- Chiropractic care can help restore the normal forward curve of your neck without the use of drugs or surgery.
Whiplash Facts
- Most rear-impact car accidents occur between 1/2 mile to 5 1/2 miles per hour.
- An impact at 5 miles per hour can cause soft tissue damage. In a rear-impact car accident, your head can accelerate up to 2 1/2 times faster than your car.
A significant percentage of people with whiplash will suffer chronic symptoms and 10% will suffer disability.
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic pain in the muscles and soft tissues surrounding joints, fatigue, and tenderness at specific sites in the body. While the cause is unknown, an estimated 3 million people are affected in the United States. Because we offer a conservative, hands-on approach to health care, some patients suffering from fibromyalgia are supplementing their medical care with chiropractic care. Thousands of people benefit everyday from safe, conservative chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors focus on the cause, NOT the symptoms. By dealing with the nervous system, we are able to reduce nerve interference and help to restore more normal function, thus reducing muscle spasm and pain.
In 1997, a study was conducted by three Canadian chiropractors on the effectiveness of chiropractic care for patients with fibromyalgia. They reported significant improvement in flexibility and reduction of pain levels and recommended that this type of treatment be included along with medical treatments for this condition. It is important that you find a natural, effective, and safe solution to the painful and debilitating condition that we call Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Fibromyalgia (FMS).
CFS and FMS seem to be those overlapping diseases that no one really talks about. Have you seen a CFS or FMS commercial anywhere? Approximately 80% of CFS patients have an overlapping diagnosis of Fibromyalgia syndrome. To the vast majority CFS and FMS are the same illness.
What Is Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia?
People with CFS are both physically and emotionally exhausted, and many feel stressed by the constant need to adapt to everyday life. FMS is often identical except for the additional persistent muscle pain.
Statistics Prove You Are Not Suffering Alone.
The prevalence of Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) is estimated at over 800,000 people and growing, just in the U.S. alone. Estimates indicate between 60-85% of the cases of CFS diagnosed are for women. FMS, affects over 5 million Americans, with over 87% being women.
If you suspect you have CFS or FMS, your first reaction may be to go to your family doctor who most likely will give you a prescription drug to take to cover up one of the symptoms. Most people who have these disorders say the drugs don’t help them, but in fact, make things worse. It’s an easy way out for the doctor to prescribe you medication over and over again. This is not a cure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How are Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome different?
A: Fibromyalgia (FMS) is described by constant and debilitating muscle pain (myalgia) and by shortened fibrous tissues (fibro) as a result of low cellular energy. The majority of people diagnosed with FMS really have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, except they experience more intense muscle pain, along with the average symptoms. In actuality, they simply have a type of CFS, and would benefit from more conclusive and earlier diagnosis.
Q: Is there a difference between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue?
A: Well, chronic fatigue simply means that you are tired for extended periods of time. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is extensive and includes a set of recognizable symptoms such as, muscle pain and severe tiredness lasting for long periods of time following moderate physical activity, reduced mental clarity, restless sleep or insomnia, digestive issues, headaches, swollen glands, tinnitus, depression, fever or chills, and others.
Research Sites on Chiropractic Results:
http://www.acatoday.com/JacaTopicSearchDisplay.cfm?T1ID=12&T2ID=53&T3ID=27&Topic=Fibromyalgia
http://www.afsafund.org/
http://fmpsc.org/info/info.htm
