Pregnancy
Often our patients report a more comfortable and easier delivery with chiropractic care
Often, most people do not see the benefits of chiropractic care with pregnancy. There are 4 stages to an optimal working nervous system and spinal structure:
- Pre-conception
- Pregnancy
- Labor and birth
- Post delivery
Pre-conception
Chiropractic care prior to conception may promote a more regular menstrual cycle and uterine function. Many couples who thought they were infertile have been helped by restoring proper nerve supply to reproductive organs.
Pregnancy
Regular chiropractic care during pregnancy helps maintain balance, alignment and flexibility. When the baby is comfortable, it can assume the correct birthing position.
Labor and Birth
Mothers in our office who have regular chiropractic adjustments seem to require less high-tech intervention. Most report shorter, less traumatic births. With proper nerve supply, well-timed contractions help move the baby more easily through the birth canal.
Post Delivery
Even natural births can stress a baby's spine. Breastfeeding problems can arise if the baby is unable to comfortably turn its head. Over 90% of our female patients bring their newborn in to be checked within the first week of their born baby for spinal misalignments. If required a very light touch called an adjustments is made. Which is safe, comfortable and pain free to the babies joints.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Pregnancy is natural. Why is chiropractic necessary?
Being born is a natural process. It's what we've done to the birth process that has become increasingly suspect. In hospitals, a severe drop in temperature, loud noises, suction extraction and other insensitivities often accompany a newborn's introduction to the world. The administration of drugs and anaesthesia can have unfortunate effects, too.
Will my medical doctor approve?
You don't need anyone's approval to seek a chiropractic opinion about health issues affecting you and your child. Consulting another health expert is always helpful in the decision-making process. We work closely with other practitioners who keep up with the latest research and understand the value of this natural, drug-free approach to better health.
Will adjustments hurt my baby?
Of course not. An infant's spine rarely has the long-standing muscle tightness seen in adults. So the energy needed to adjust a baby's spine is considerably less than what's needed to adjust you. This is a common concern among parents who mistakenly think their baby will receive the same kind of adjustments they receive.
How late in pregnancy is it possible to get a spinal adjustment?
Anytime. Patients have been receiving chiropractic care during labor.
Do I have a problem in pregnancy to see a chiropractor?
Not at all. Periodic spinal checkups during pregnancy should be as common as periodic weigh-ins.
What about after pregnancy?
Chiropractic care can help women return to normal by balancing her spinal column, realigning her pelvic bone and removing spinal nerve stress.
Ankle Injuries
Sprained Ankle
What is a sprained ankle?
A sprained ankle is the most common type of ankle injury. A sprain is stretching and tearing of ligaments. (You sprain a ligament and strain a muscle).
The most common damage done in a sprained ankle is to the talo-fibula ligament (in side of the ankle). If the sprained ankle is worse you might also damage the calcanao-fibula ligament which is towards the back of the heel. In addition to the ligament damage you can also cause damage to tendons as well.
There are three degrees of a sprained ankle / ligament sprain:
First degree:
- Some stretching or perhaps tearing of the ligament.
- Little or no joint instability
- Mild pain
- Little swelling
- Some joint stiffness
Second degree:
- Some tearing of the ligament fibres
- Moderate instability of the joint
- Moderate to severe pain
- Swelling and stiffness
Third degree:
- Total rupture of a ligament
- Gross instability of the joint
- Severe pain initially followed by no pain
- Severe swelling
Footballers' Ankle (Anterior impingement of the ankle)
Damage to a ligament at the front of the ankle.
What is Footballers' Ankle?
Footballers' ankle occurs when you get a bony growth at the front of the ankle where the joint capsule attaches. It can follow an injury where the ankle has been over stretched or over bent. The bony deposits cause inflammation in the joint capsule and tendons.
Symptoms of this injury are:
- Pain and tenderness when pressing in with the fingers over the front of the ankle joint
- Pain when you bend your foot up or down
- A band of pain across the front of the ankle joint when kicking a ball
- A bony lump at the front of the ankle
Elbow Injuries
Tennis Elbow / Lateral epicondylitis
Lateral Epicondylitis.
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is a common injury and got its' name because tennis players tended to get it. Tennis elbow is an inflammation or degeneration of the tendon that attaches to the bony bit (lateral epicondyle) on the outside of the arm or elbow. A common cause in tennis is poor backhand technique or a grip that is too small. A small grip will mean the muscles in the elbow must work harder and become inflamed. The majority of people getting tennis elbow are between 40 and 50 yrs but it can affect athletes of any age.
Symptoms include:
- Pain on the bony bit (lateral epicondyle) on the outside of the elbow, or 1-2cm forward of it on the tendon
- Weakness in the wrist
- Pain in the outside of the elbow when the hand is bent back (extended) at the wrist against resistance
- Pain on the outside of the elbow when trying to straighten the fingers against resistance
- Pain when pressing in on the bony bit on the outside of the elbow
Medial Epicondylitis
Golfer's Elbow
What is a golfer's elbow?
Golfer's elbow is a similar injury to tennis elbow only it affects the inside of the elbow instead. Golfer's elbow is more common in throwers and golfers hence the 'nicknames'. Also known as flexor/pronator tendinopathy this elbow pain is seen in tennis players who use a lot of top spin on their forehand shots.
Symptoms of golfer's elbow include:
- Pain on the bony bit on the inside of the elbow
- Weakness in the wrist
- Pain on the inside of the elbow when you grip something hard
- Pain when wrist flexion (bending the wrist palm downwards) is resisted
- Pain on resisted wrist pronation - rotating inwards (thumb downwards)
Knee Injuries
Jumper's Knee (Patellar tendinopathy - sometimes called Patellar tendinitis)
What is jumper's knee?
The patella tendon (or ligament as it is sometimes called) connects the kneecap to the tibia bone. Under extreme stresses such as those involved in jumping a partial rupture can occur. This can often lead to inflammation and degeneration of the tissue. Inflammation can also result from overuse. Injury to this often affects athletes involved in jumping or throwing sports. Weight lifters, tennis and badminton players can also be affected. Rest in the early stages is important.
What are the symptoms of jumper's knee?
- Pain at the bottom of the kneecap especially when pressing in
- Aching and stiffness after exertion
- Pain when you contract the quadriceps muscles
What the athlete can do depends on the extent or grade of the injury:
Grade 1: Pain only after training
Grade 2: Pain before and after exercise but pain reduces once warmed up
Grade 3: Pain during activity which prevents you from training / performing at your best
Grade 4: Pain during every day activities, which may or may not be getting worse
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (including CMP or Chondromalacia Patellae)
What is Patellofemoral Syndrome?
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellofemoral syndrome is the term used to describe pain on and around the patella or kneecap. A common cause is damage to the surface underneath the kneecap. It can be started by an impact or it gradually comes on from rubbing on the bone underneath. The injury is often referred to as chondromalacia patellae, patella pain syndrome or runner's knee.
The injury is common among girls aged 10 - 20 years. Correct rehabilitation is essential for this injury along with taping. Do not ignore this injury because if it gets very bad it is extremely difficult to treat.
What are the symptoms of patellofemoral syndrome?
- Pain occurs in the knee joint, around and under the patella
- Pain under the patella when bending and straightening the knee
- Tenderness along the inside border of the kneecap
- Usually swelling is present
- Is often worse when walking up or down hills or stairs
Who is most at risk from patellofemoral syndrome?
- You are more prone to this if you have a small kneecap or one that sticks out
- If your feet roll in or pronate
- If you have weak quadriceps muscles
- Athletes who do a lot of long distance running or hill running
Medial Cartilage & Meniscus Injury
Damage to the medial meniscus at it's attachment to the ligament.
What is a medial meniscus injury?
An injury to the medial meniscus can result from an impact on the outside of the knee. It will often be injured along with the medial ligament (inside of the knee). Cartilage injuries can also occur as a result of deep knee bends. The cartilage gets squeezed between the bones with most of your bodyweight on the inside of the knee.
What are the symptoms?
- Pain on the inside of the joint during and after exercise
- Pain if you pull your heel tightly up to your buttock or do a deep knee bend
- Pain when you do this test
- Locking in the joint and swelling
- Weak and wasted quadriceps muscles at the front of the leg are also possible
Lower Leg Injuries
Shin splints (Periostitis)
Pain on the inside of the lower third of the shin.
What are shin splints?
Shin splints are the general name given to pain at the front of the lower leg. Shin splints are not a diagnosis in itself but a description of symptoms of which there could be a number of causes. The most common cause is inflammation of the periostium of the tibia (sheath surrounding the bone). Traction forces occur from the muscles of the lower leg on the periostium.
Shin Splints are an overuse injury and can be caused by running on hard surfaces or running on tiptoes. It is also common in sports where a lot of jumping is involved. If you over pronate then you are also more susceptible to this injury.
Symptoms of shin splints include:
- Tenderness over the inside of the shin
- Lower leg pain
- Sometimes some swelling
- Lumps and bumps over the bone
- Pain when the toes or foot are bent downwards
- Redness over the inside of the shin
Calf Strain (Tear of the Gastrocnemius or Soleus muscle)
What are the calf muscles?
The calf muscles consist of the Gastrocnemius which is the big muscle at the back of the lower leg and the Soleus muscle which is a smaller muscle lower down in the leg and under the Gastrocnemius. Either of these two muscles can be strained (torn).
Symptoms include:
- A sudden pain at the back of the leg
- Difficulty in contracting the muscle or standing on tip toe
- Pain and swelling or bruising in the calf muscle
A sudden sharp pain in the calf muscle followed by difficulty using it is usually given away for a calf strain. The most common place to get this injury is at the muscle - tendon junction (MTJ) of the Gastrocnemius roughly half way between the knee and the heel. You can test for this by contracting the muscle against resistance with the legs straight. Pain is felt midway up the calf muscle.
If you have damaged the Soleus muscle you might get pain lower in the leg and also pain when you contract the muscle against resistance with the knee bent. The Gastrocnemius muscle originates above the knee and inserts via the Achilles tendon into the heel. The Soleus originates below the knee and also inserts via the Achilles tendon.
Shoulder Injuries
Rotator Cuff Injury
What are rotator cuff muscles?
The rotator cuff muscles control rotation of the shoulder. They consist of the infraspinatus, teres minor and supraspinatus which rotate the shoulder outwards and the subscapularis which is one of the muscles which rotate the shoulder inwards.
These rotator cuff muscles are put under a great deal of strain especially in throwing events and racket sports where your arm is above your head a lot. A sudden sharp pain in the shoulder would indicate a possible rupture of a tendon, while a gradual onset is more likely to be inflammation.
Symptoms of rotator cuff muscles include:
- Pain on overhead activity such as throwing or racket sports eg. Squash, tennis
- Pain when you bend the arm and rotate it outwards against resistance
- Pain on the outside of the shoulder possibly radiating down into the arm
- Pain in the shoulder, which is worse at night
- Stiffness in the shoulder joint
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive capsulitis)
Adhesive capsulitis
What is a Frozen Shoulder?
A frozen shoulder (known also as adhesive capsulitis) is a condition that occasionally occurs in older athletes. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket type joint. The top of the humerus bone (ball) fits into the socket of the shoulder and is called the glenohumeral joint. It is this joint and the surrounding capsule that becomes inflamed. It is thought a frozen shoulder may come on as a result of a previous injury, but also can come on for no apparent reason.
It affects around 3% of the population and is slightly more common in women, with people aged over 40 more likely to be affected.
What are the symptoms?
- Pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint
- Limited range of motion
- Pain at night, especially when lying on the affected side
A frozen shoulder usually passes through three phases. The first phase has reasonable movement but is very painful. Through the next phase the pain is reduced but movement becomes very limited (frozen). Finally the shoulder loosens up and returns hopefully to normal function. This whole process can take 2 to 3 years, although most of the younger athletes should recover with 10 to12 weeks of proper rehabilitation treatment.
Thigh Injuries
Hamstring Strain (tear of the hamstring muscles)
What is a hamstring strain?
A hamstring strain or a pulled hamstring as it is sometimes called is a tear in one of the hamstrings muscles (Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus and Biceps femoris). It often results from an overload of the muscles or trying to move the muscles too fast.
Strains are common in all sports especially ones where sprinting is involved. Injury to the hamstring is very common. They range from a complete rupture of the muscle to small micro tears that the athlete will probably not notice at the time.
Symptoms include:
- A sudden sharp pain at the back of the leg
- Muscles going into spasm
- Swelling and bruising
If the rupture is very bad you may feel a gap in the muscle
Strains are graded 1, 2 or 3 depending on severity. A grade 1 might consist of small micro tears in the muscle. A grade 2 would be a partial tear in the muscle and grade 3 is a severe or complete rupture of the muscle.
Grade 1: What does it feel like?
- Might have tightness in the thigh
- May be able to walk properly
- Probably won't have much swelling
- Lying on front and trying to bend the knee against resistance probably won't produce much pain
Grade 2: What does it feel like?
- Probably cannot walk properly
- May get occasional sudden twinges of pain during activity
- May notice swelling
- Pressing in causes pain
- Bending the knee against resistance causes pain
- Might be unable to fully straighten the knee
Grade 3: What does it feel like?
- Unable to walk properly without the aid of crutches
- In severe pain
- Bad swelling appear immediately
- A static contraction will be painful and might produce a bulge in the muscle
- Expect to be out of competition for 3 to twelve weeks or more
Quadriceps Strain
What is a quadriceps strain?
The quadriceps muscles consist of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius and the rectus femoris. Any of these muscles can strain (or tear) but probably the most common is the rectus femoris. A strain is a tear in the muscle.
Muscle strains are graded 1, 2 or 3 depending on the severity of the damage done. It is important you understand what damage has been done so you can treat the injury correctly.
Grade 1: What are the symptoms?
- Tightness in the thigh
- Unable to walk properly
- Probably not much swelling
- Trying to straighten the knee against resistance probably won't produce much pain
Grade 2: What are the symptoms?
- Probably cannot walk properly
- Occasional sudden twinges of pain during activity
- Swelling may be noticed
- Pressing on the muscle causes pain
- Straightening the knee against resistance causes pain
- Unable to fully bend the knee
Grade 3: What are the symptoms?
- Unable to walk properly without the aid of crutches
- In severe pain
- Bad swelling appearing immediately
- A static contraction will be painful and might produce a bulge in the muscle
- Expect to be out of competition for 3 to 12 weeks
Groin Strain (Adductor muscle strain)
What is a groin strain?
A groin strain is a tear or rupture to any one of the adductor muscles. There are five adductor muscles, the pectineus, adductor brevis and adductor longus (called short adductors which go from the pelvis to the thigh bone) and the gracilis and adductor magnus (long adductors which go from the pelvis to the knee).
The main function of these muscles is to pull the legs together. They are also used quite a lot in sprinting, playing football, horse riding and hurdling. A rupture or tear in the muscle usually occurs when sprinting, twisting or when kicking something that has a lot of resistance such as a heavy wet ball.
Symptoms include:
- Tightening of the groin muscles that may not be present until the day after competition
- A sudden sharp pain in the groin area or adductor muscles
- Bruising or swelling (this might not occur until a couple of days after the initial injury)
- Inability to contract the adductor muscles (squeezing the legs together or possibly lifting the leg out in front)
- A lump or gap in the adductor muscles
Grade 1, 2 or 3?
- Groin strains are graded 1, 2, or 3 depending on how bad they are
- The athlete with a grade 1 strain might feel mild discomfort, possibly a little tenderness at a particular point but no swelling
- Grade 2 strains may feel more painful with swelling, pain to touch, reduced range of motion and interference with running
- A grade 3 strain may be very painful; lots of swelling and total inability to run or even walk
Wrist Injuries
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (pressure on the median nerve)
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
The median nerve is one of the nerves, which supply the hand. It passes through the wrist in a narrow channel called the carpal tunnel along with the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor pollicis longus tendons. Inflammation of the muscles, tendons or a fracture of the wrist can reduce the space in the carpel tunnel and so cause pressure on the nerve.
Symptoms include:
- A dull ache in the wrist and forearm with pain radiating in to the fingers
- A burning wrist pain with numbness or loss of feeling in the thumb, index finger and middle finger which the median nerve supplies
- Pain which is worse at night
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