Back Problems
Many people suffer from back problems, due to both physical and mental stress. Our doctors are trained in spinal and extremity adjustments.

Headaches
Headaches or migraines are frequently associated with disorders of the cervical spine. When the cervical vertebrae lose their normal position produce symptoms from a dull ache to throbbing pain. Of course there are other factors associated with headaches including stress, toxic fumes, certain foods and additives such as MSG, alcohol and caffeine. Scientists have identified over 300 causes for headaches.

Chiropractors successfully treat thousands of headache sufferer's everyday. Chiropractic has such good success in the treatment of headaches because most headaches are either soft tissue or neuralgic in nature.

Here is some useful advice to help you prevent headaches:
Posture: Chest lifted shoulders relaxed, chin tucked in and head level.
Work: Avoid working with your head down for long periods. Stretch and change position frequently.
Sleeping: A down pillow or urethane molded pillow is best for most people.
Exercise: Keep your neck joints and muscles flexible and strong with correct neck exercises.
Relaxation: Recognize when you are tense. You may be hunching your shoulders without realizing it.

Neck Pain
Neck Pain Causes:
When a person wakes up in the morning with a stiff and painful neck the tendency is to blame the condition on one's pillow, bed, or sleep position during that night. Other times a person can move their neck suddenly and feel sharp pain thinking that something suddenly slipped out of position or is pinching a "nerve". Incomplete rehabilitation of past injuries, poor posture, poor work and living habits, prolonged sitting, and lack of periodic spinal alignments are some of the more common factors in the development of neck problems. Of course some neck problems are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall or a sports injury. Chiropractic care can be very helpful to people suffering from neck pain as it addresses the actual cause of the neck pain.

Neck Anatomy:
The spinal bones or vertebrae of the neck consist of posterior joints called facets that link vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the motion of the spine. The intervertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are composed of a form of tough cartilage that encases a soft material in the centre called the nucleus. The primary function of the disc is a shock absorber and a spacer between the vertebrae. Ligaments are tough, non elastic bands that hold the bones together and muscles are the tissues that contract to move the body. In a canal located between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. The spinal nerves exit the spine between the vertebrae and provide the energy to make the muscles and other organs of the body function. The nerves from the neck are responsible for the entire upper extremity including the shoulder, elbow and hand as well as structures of the head and neck.

Neck Pain Treatment:
It is important for doctors of chiropractic to identify of the underlying causes of the condition for the a successful treatment. Chiropractors have found subluxations to be one of the most common causes of nerve irritation. The proper treatment for neck pain should depend on what presumably caused it. Chiropractors are licensed health care professionals highly trained to analyze and determine if a vertebral subluxation exists, and then to reduce and correct it if possible.

Whiplash
Personal injury is a term often used to describe an injury most commonly caused by a car accident. It may also include other types of injury such as a slip or fall. Whiplash is most commonly associated with rear-end car collisions in which the passenger in the front vehicle gets their head forcefully jerked backward and then forward causing injury to the structures of the back and front of the neck. It is very important to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. However in most cases, the injuries are usually to the soft tissues and joints. Chiropractors are educated to understand whiplash injury and manage the case from beginning to end.

The physical and psychological damage of whiplash can become chronic, eroding a victim's quality of life. Chiropractic techniques and chiropractors' skills are particularly well-suited to relieving the neck pain and other debilitating effects of whiplash because they can restore movement lost after the accident, overcome muscle weakness and enhance muscle tone, speed recovery, and diminish chronic symptoms that can persist or recur over many years.

Additional therapies may include ice & heat therapies, physical therapy, spinal exercises and/or stretches. Repeated and effective chiropractic adjustments have proved successful for many thousands of patients. Occasionally, a cervical collar is recommended to help stabilize the neck during the acute phase of care. You may or may not be removed from work for a short period of time. Chiropractic can, in many cases, significantly reduce patients' distress and allow them to return to their normal activities rather than seeing themselves as invalids--as so many whiplash victims do long after their accident.

Be sure to consult your chiropractor immediately after an accident so you needn't suffer! Under the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) portion of your auto insurance the first (Usually $2500) of your medical expenses is taken care without any out of pocket expense to you.