Neck and Lower Back Pain:
Sports Injury
I started experiencing shooting neck pain
and stiffness after landing on my head
while doing Karate. I also suffered from
constant, radiating lower back pain due
o years of gymnastics. My pain became
so bad that it kept me from being active.
Even sitting was uncomfortable.
Eventually I had to quit my job.
I met Dr. Ken, of Klahanie Chiropractic,
while coaching his daughter. I decided
to give Klahanie Chiropractic a try –
and I'm so glad I did.
I am now functioning at 100% and
can keep up with my hectic schedule.
Klahanie Chiropractic has allowed me
to resume my active, athletic lifestyle.
The doctors are excellent, I refer
them to everyone.
— Ty R. Swim Team Coach.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat's wrong with me? What's wrong with me?Accurately identifying the cause of spinal pain or other discomfort almost always requires a thorough consultation and examination. Individuals should not assume their pain stems from the same problem, for example, what has helped a neighbor will help them. Just as every individual is unique and different from the next, so too are the health conditions they suffer and the treatments they require. Chiropractic doctors are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue injuries and abnormalities common to the spine, extremities and rest of body. Rest assured that if you are suffering from back or neck problems, extremity problems or other health related ailments chiropractic can provide you with the effective professional relief you demand. If your condition is out of the chiropractic scope or would be more appropriately managed by another health care specialist, we will gladly and promptly make the necessary referral. [top] Can chiropractic help me?Chiropractic has helped millions of people worldwide suffering from all types of problems – not just back and neck ailments. Chiropractic works with the spinal column and its intimate relationship with the nervous system – the major controller of all bodily functions. By optimizing spinal column structure and biomechanics, irritation and stress are removed and health can once again be achieved. You may be surprised to learn that research studies have provided scientific evidence showing chiropractic care is not only effective in the treatment of back and neck ailments, but can also provide effective relief with children suffering from ear infections, women suffering from dysmenorrhea (painful menses), and a number of other seemingly "non-spinal" conditions. While it's not prudent to guarantee relief from such conditions or claim to "treat" these conditions, chiropractic has successfully helped millions of individuals with all sorts of health conditions by positively affecting the nervous system. Of course, doctors of chiropractic are best known for their success in treating back and neck problems. Through the use of chiropractic spinal adjustments and other highly specialized chiropractic techniques, chiropractors have established themselves as the back and neck injury specialists. Many medical experts are now coming to understand the true effectiveness of chiropractic care and are recommending major changes in the way our health care system manages many common spinal problems. According to a recent Ontario Ministry of Health commissioned study on low-back pain, "A very good case can be made for making chiropractors the gatekeepers for management of low-back pain..." [top] What is a subluxation?A subluxation refers to a spinal or peripheral joint that is not moving in its normal motion pattern or is out of place. Subluxations create an imbalance in the spine, irritating nerves and blood vessels, affecting the way our body and brain communicate with one another and can contribute to pain and dysfunction in muscles and organs. Subluxations can be silent or non-symptomatic until the weaknesses or changes in function that they cause result in an eventual breakdown or injury. [top] What causes a subluxation?Accidents, injuries, improper lifting or body mechanics and inherited spinal weaknesses are common causes of subluxations. Other causes include poor sleeping habits, poor posture, obesity, stress, a sedentary lifestyle, internal organ dysfunction and not enough rest or sleep. [top] How is a subluxation corrected?Chiropractors treat subluxations with a healing technique called spinal adjustment, a procedure that involves applying specific, short, quick thrusts to return vertebrae (the bones that compose the spine and protect the spinal cord) to their proper position and motion. They may also use other tools and techniques with very low force applied. [top] Does the adjustment hurt?Most chiropractic adjustments are painless; in fact, the adjustment may feel good and can be relieving. If you've had a recent injury, however, adjustments can irritate inflamed tissue and cause some discomfort. Using ice after any irritation is recommended. Some people also experience odd sensations in their muscles or extremities after adjustments. This is a normal reaction to the relieving of pressure on nerves and is usually no cause for concern. It is thought by some scientists to be an increase in circulation once the irritation is removed from the nerve. [top] How old should a person be before receiving chiropractic care?
Do I have to keep coming back for treatments?You may have heard the notion that once you go to a chiropractor you have to keep going back. Before we answer that question, ask yourself how many times you have visited a dentist? Like most people, you've probably gone dozens of times. Why? Quite simply, to prevent your teeth from rotting. Once we have eliminated your pain and rehabilitated the injured tissues, we do recommend that you maintain a schedule of periodic spinal checkups. Like your dentist and like many of the medical experts are now recognizing, prevention is the key to reducing recurrences of existing health conditions and minimizing new injuries in the future. So the answer is yes, we want you to keep coming back, but just periodically. Periodic chiropractic care minimizes spinal and nerve stresses, reduces recurrences of old injuries, prevents new injuries from developing, minimizes degenerative processes, which enhances overall health and wellness. [top] Should I go to a chiropractor if I feel fine?Your chiropractor can recognize and detect problem areas in your spine before they develop into problem conditions or symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments help to maintain or support a healthy spine and nervous system. Maintenance or wellness spinal care programs, which may include advice on posture, nutrition and exercise, can effectively prevent pain. Regular checkups will also ensure that small stresses on the spine don't interfere with the nervous system’s function or become major misalignments. This type of program of prevention actually optimizes the function of your body. Most people take much better care of their teeth than they do their spine. If your teeth wear out, they can be replaced with artifficial ones that will allow you to chew your food, as well as the original teeth and give you a nice smile. If your spine wears out, there is no solution. Because your spine directly influences the function of your nervous system, spinal decay permanently damages the nerves and spinal cord. Nearly everyone flosses and brushes their teeth even though their teeth don't hurt. Spinal adjustments are like flossing the spine. Adjustments break up the plaque that develops along the spinal joints when those joints are subluxated. Lifetime care of the spine should be a priority. [top] How will the adjustment help me?Chiropractic adjustments help eliminate interference that prevents your body from healing itself. Misaligned vertebrae interfere with your nervous system, which affects organs and muscles throughout your body. Your chiropractor treats the underlying problem, which can alleviate painful symptoms and more importantly, helps the body function properly and heal itself. [top] Does an adjustment have to make a noise to be effective?No. While it's true that patients often hear a "pop" during an adjustment, similar to the sound you'd hear cracking your knuckles, it's not related to the treatment's effectiveness. Instead, the explanation lies in a lubricant called synovial fluid that's found in every joint. That fluid contains dissolved gases. Shifting the joint with an adjustment into proper motion and alignment releases the built up pressure that has resulted from the joint being subluxated. This causes a shifting of the fluid and gasses in the joint to make a crackling noise. [top] How does chiropractic care help pregnant women?Pregnancy places additional weight and stress on women's bodies. Chiropractic treatment can help relieve pregnancy-related low back, leg, neck and shoulder blade pain. It may also reduce incidence of headache and nausea. Anecdotal evidence shows that regular chiropractic care up to the point of delivery can significantly reduce labor time and the chances of complications with delivery. [top] Is it true that chiropractors do not prescribe medication or perform surgery?Yes. Chiropractors don't prescribe medication or perform invasive procedures. They believe the body has the ability to heal itself, and therefore focus on providing it with the right elements for self-restoration. This makes chiropractic one of the safest of all treatments. [top] |
People of all ages are candidates for chiropractic treatment. Even babies can have subluxations, due to the rigors of birth. In general, it's best to treat children's subluxations early, as they interfere with nerves that control developing muscles and organs. A rapidly developing spine and all other bones and joints of the body consist of cartilage growth centers that the bone grows from. Abnormal stresses on these growth plates can cause the bones to develop abnormally. With an early checkup, your chiropractor can detect these problems while they're easy to correct. Remember, "as the twig is bent, so grows the tree."