davisonchiropractic

Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor Near Grand Blanc, MI

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:47:49 GMT

Residents near Grand Blanc, MI, often seek relief from pain or mobility issues and look for safe, effective, non-medication treatment options. Chiropractic care has become a popular choice due to its holistic approach to musculoskeletal health. Davison Chiropractic, located in nearby Davison and serving the Grand Blanc community, offers expert chiropractic services tailored to meet individual needs. As a trusted chiropractor near Grand Blanc, MI, we provide comprehensive care designed not only to alleviate discomfort but also to improve function, promote overall wellness, and support a healthy lifestyle. With a focus on personalized treatment plans and patient education, Davison Chiropractic stands out as a preferred choice in the area. Let's explore the benefit of seeing a professional near Grand Blanc, MI.

How Chiropractic Care Helps

Chiropractic care revolves primarily around spinal adjustments and joint mobilization techniques that restore proper alignment, improve mobility, and support the nervous system.

Spinal Adjustments

These gentle manual manipulations realign vertebrae and joints to reduce nerve irritation and inflammation, helping ease pain and promoting natural healing. This form of treatment is designed to restore optimal function and reduce stiffness in the back and neck. A skilled chiropractor can identify areas of misalignment that may be causing symptoms and use adjustments to correct them.

Joint Mobilization

This technique involves controlled movements applied to joints with restricted motion, increasing flexibility and reducing discomfort. Joint mobilization complements spinal adjustments by encouraging a better range of motion and alleviating muscular tension. Chiropractors use these therapies to provide patients with increased comfort and functionality.

Nervous System Support

Because the spine protects the nervous system, chiropractic care’s focus on spinal health also improves nerve communication throughout the body. This can positively influence posture, muscle balance, and overall bodily functions. By restoring proper alignment, a chiropractor supports your body’s natural healing processes without reliance on medication or invasive procedures.

Together, these chiropractic techniques provide relief, restore mobility, and promote overall health and wellness.

Common Conditions Improved by Chiropractic Care

Residents near Grand Blanc, MI, frequently experience significant improvements in various musculoskeletal conditions after chiropractic treatment.

Back and Neck Pain, Sciatica

Many suffer from chronic back or neck pain caused by muscle tension or spinal misalignments. Chiropractic care effectively reduces these symptoms by releasing pressure on nerves and improving joint alignment.
Sciatica, resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve, often causes sharp pain radiating down the leg. Adjustments aim to relieve the nerve compression contributing to this discomfort.

Headaches and TMJ-Related Discomfort

Tension headaches caused by muscular stress in the neck and shoulders can be alleviated with chiropractic techniques targeting those muscles and vertebrae.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders may respond well to chiropractic therapies that improve jaw alignment and muscle function.

Posture Issues, Desk-Work Strain

Poor posture from prolonged desk work can lead to muscle imbalances and spinal stress. Chiropractic care helps correct alignment and strengthens supporting muscles.
Ergonomic recommendations from chiropractors nurture sustained improvements, preventing recurring strain.

Sports and Overuse Injuries

Chiropractic care prevents injuries common to athletes by balancing muscle groups and improving joint mobility.
Tailored rehabilitation plans aid recovery and reduce downtime, facilitating a return to physical activity.

Davison Chiropractic has built a reputation as a reliable chiropractic clinic near Grand Blanc, MI, delivering care to address these common yet impactful issues.

Evidence-Based Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Scientific studies support the use of chiropractic care as a safe, effective alternative or complement to traditional medicine, providing benefits such as:

Pain Reduction: Chiropractic treatments are shown to ease back pain and joint discomfort without the risks associated with opioid medications.
Improved Range of Motion: Patients often experience enhanced flexibility and better functional mobility following adjustments and mobilizations.
Postural Support: When combined with ergonomic advice, chiropractic care promotes healthy posture, helping to avoid future musculoskeletal problems.
Enhanced Recovery: Including exercises and lifestyle counseling with adjustments speeds healing and supports overall health improvements.

These evidence-based outcomes demonstrate chiropractic care’s value in achieving sustainable wellness with minimal side effects.

Near Grand Blanc: Why Choose Davison Chiropractic

Choosing a chiropractor near Grand Blanc, MI, ensures you receive care with a personal touch focused on your unique needs.

Convenient Location: Davison Chiropractic, situated nearby, offers easy access without long travel times, making appointments more manageable.
Experienced Clinicians: The team possesses extensive expertise in musculoskeletal health and nervous system function.
Individualized Treatment Plans: Thorough initial assessments enable customized therapy targeting your specific condition and goals.
Clear Communication: Patients receive understandable explanations of diagnoses and treatment options to make informed decisions.
Flexible Scheduling: Appointment times accommodate busy lifestyles, reducing wait times and scheduling conflicts.
Patient Education: The clinic emphasizes teaching clients about proper body mechanics, home exercises, and self-care strategies to maintain progress.

With Davison Chiropractic, you can expect a supportive clinic environment dedicated to lasting results and patient wellness.

Book Your Appointment With a Chiropractor Near Grand Blanc, MI

If pain or reduced mobility is affecting your quality of life, consider consulting with a chiropractor near Grand Blanc, MI, who can provide comprehensive, personalized care. Davison Chiropractic offers detailed evaluations and customized treatment plans designed to alleviate discomfort, restore function, and promote long-term wellness. Don’t let pain hold you back; schedule your consultation today by visiting our Contact page . Taking this first step can lead to better health and a more active, fulfilling life.

Your Guide to Choosing a Chiropractic Clinic in Grand Blanc, MI

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:58:24 GMT

Choosing the right chiropractic clinic serving Grand Blanc, MI, can be a pivotal decision in your health journey. Whether you’re seeking relief from discomfort, support for ongoing wellness, or improved mobility, partnering with a trusted local provider matters. With so many options, people might wonder what sets one clinic apart from another. This guide will walk you through what makes a chiropractor exceptional, the benefits of chiropractic care, and why Davison Chiropractic stands out as a top choice for those seeking expertise in the Grand Blanc, MI, area.

Key Qualities to Look For in a Chiropractic Clinic

When it comes to your spine and your overall health, not just any provider will do. The qualities of a chiropractic clinic can directly influence your results, recovery, and patient experience.

Here’s what to seek out:

1. Experienced Professionals

It’s crucial to find care from a clinic staffed by highly trained experts with years of clinical experience. This ensures you’ll receive evidence-based services , recommendations, and treatments that account for your unique health history.

2. Personalized Treatment

A clinic that tailors its approach to each patient’s needs can make all the difference. Individualized care means your specific goals, whether that’s pain relief or improved function, come first.

3. Modern Techniques and Equipment

Technology in chiropractic care is evolving. Look for a chiropractic clinic that invests in state-of-the-art equipment and the latest methods, including advanced adjustment tools, rehabilitation exercises, and digital wellness assessments.

4. Welcoming Atmosphere

Comfort isn’t just physical—it’s emotional too. The best clinic will create a welcoming environment where you feel respected, supported, and empowered to take charge of your health.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care in Grand Blanc, MI

Taking care of your spine is an investment in your whole-body wellness. For residents in Grand Blanc, MI, a high-quality chiropractic clinic unites traditional skills with contemporary science to deliver real benefits.

Here’s what you can achieve through consistent care:

Pain Relief: Many visit this type of clinic to address discomfort caused by back pain, neck pain, headaches, and joint issues. Precise adjustments help reduce inflammation, restore function, and ease tension.
Better Mobility: When your spine is aligned, your whole body moves more freely. Chiropractic care can enhance flexibility, coordination, and balance—especially helpful for active individuals and seniors.
Natural Healing: Rather than just masking symptoms, a chiropractic clinic focuses on restoring optimal alignment and nervous system health, tapping into your body’s natural ability to heal.
Stress Reduction: Discomfort in the body often leads to emotional stress. Regular visits to a chiropractor offer relaxation, which supports your overall mental health.
Preventive Care: Consistent adjustments can help prevent injuries, minimize wear-and-tear from daily activities, and contribute to lifelong wellness.

The entire family, from young children to older adults, can benefit from visiting a chiropractic clinic that trusts in holistic care.

Why Choose Davison Chiropractic?

Davison Chiropractic is proud to be a clinic serving Grand Blanc, MI, and the surrounding community. Locals recognize the team for their patient-focused approach, clinical expertise, and dedication to wellness for all ages.

What Sets Us Apart

Decades of clinical experience and local knowledge.
Proven track record within Grand Blanc, MI.
Advanced technologies and gentle techniques.
Commitment to education and empowerment.
Personalized care for every patient.

Davison Chiropractic’s reputation speaks for itself, with many patients recommending their services as the go-to chiropractic clinic. If you’re searching for a chiropractor clinic Grand Blanc, MI , residents trust, Davison Chiropractic delivers skilled care and attention in every single visit.

What to Expect on Your First Visit to a Chiropractic Clinic

Your first appointment at this type of clinic should be informative, comfortable, and tailored to your needs. Here’s what you can expect as a new patient at Davison Chiropractic:

Consultation

You’ll meet with an experienced provider to discuss your symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, and personal health goals.

Initial Evaluation

A thorough assessment may involve postural analysis, spinal palpation, range of motion tests, and digital diagnostics to pinpoint issues in your spine or muscles.

Personalized Care Plan

Based on your evaluation, your chiropractic clinic creates a custom plan, which might include adjustments, exercises, nutrition recommendations, or other supportive therapies.

Guided Support

The team at Davison Chiropractic will walk you through each step, answering your questions and making sure you’re comfortable with the process.

After the Visit

You’ll receive tips for self-care at home and information on follow-up appointments. Ongoing communication is a priority, so you always know what comes next.

By choosing a chiropractic clinic, you set yourself up for experienced guidance and long-term wellness.

Start Your Journey to Your Well-Being Today!

If you’re ready to improve your health and experience the benefits of one-on-one chiropractic care, don’t wait another day. Davison Chiropractic invites you to take control of your health journey—whether you’re managing pain, seeking better mobility, or simply striving for preventive care. Our friendly staff is ready to guide you from your very first visit to ongoing wellness.

Schedule your personalized appointment now at our trusted chiropractic clinic serving Grand Blanc, MI! Call Davison Chiropractic today at (810) 658-3383 and discover how exceptional care can transform your well-being.

How Chiropractic Care Helps With Back, Neck, and Joint Pain

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:22:41 GMT

If you’re struggling with pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility, chiropractic care in Grand Blanc, MI, may be the solution you’ve been searching for. More and more residents are turning to chiropractic care, for effective, non-invasive relief from back pain, neck tension, and joint discomfort. Whether it’s due to injury, aging, or the stresses of daily life, chiropractic care, helps patients restore function and improve their quality of life. People choose chiropractic care because it focuses on natural healing rather than relying solely on medication or surgery. In fact, chiropractic care in Grand Blanc, MI, offers a patient-centered approach that addresses the root causes of pain. For individuals seeking safe, effective, and holistic treatment, chiropractic care in Grand Blanc, MI, remains a trusted option across all age groups.

Understanding Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care in Grand Blanc, MI, is built on the principle that proper spinal alignment and musculoskeletal health are essential to overall wellness. Chiropractors use spinal adjustments, joint manipulations, and personalized treatment plans to reduce pain, restore mobility, and support long-term healing. Unlike treatments that only mask symptoms, chiropractic care works to correct the underlying issues causing discomfort.

For many residents, chiropractic care in Grand Blanc, MI, provides lasting benefits by addressing conditions like muscle imbalances, nerve compression, and poor posture. This approach not only relieves pain but also prevents future injuries.

Common Conditions Treated With Chiropractic Care in Grand Blanc, MI

Chiropractors in Grand Blanc, MI, are skilled in treating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

Herniated Discs : Spinal adjustments help relieve pressure on the nerves and improve spinal function.
Sciatica: Chiropractic care can reduce nerve irritation and radiating leg pain caused by sciatica.
Chronic Headaches: Many headaches stem from tension or misalignment in the spine, which chiropractic adjustments can help resolve.
Arthritis: Gentle techniques can ease joint stiffness and improve mobility in patients with arthritis.

By focusing on spinal health and alignment, chiropractic care in Grand Blanc, MI, provides both short-term relief and long-term wellness benefits.

The Role of Spinal Adjustments

Spinal adjustments are the foundation of chiropractic care in Grand Blanc, MI. These controlled, precise movements help realign the spine, restore proper function, and alleviate pressure on surrounding nerves and tissues. Patients often report immediate relief from pain and improved range of motion after an adjustment.

But adjustments are not one-size-fits-all. Chiropractors tailor each treatment to the patient’s unique needs, ensuring the approach is safe and effective. Over time, regular adjustments can help reduce the frequency of flare-ups, improve posture, and support an active lifestyle.

Personalized Treatment Plans

One of the strengths of chiropractic care in Grand Blanc, MI, is the focus on personalized treatment plans. Chiropractors take into account each patient’s medical history, lifestyle, and specific symptoms before creating a care strategy.

Treatment may include spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, stretching, exercise recommendations, and lifestyle guidance. This holistic approach ensures that patients not only recover from pain but also maintain their health and mobility in the long run.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

The benefits of chiropractic care in Grand Blanc, MI, extend beyond pain relief. Patients often experience:

Improved Mobility: Better range of motion allows patients to enjoy daily activities without restriction.
Reduced Pain: Effective treatment targets the source of discomfort, providing long-lasting relief.
Enhanced Quality of Life: Less pain and more mobility contribute to better overall wellness.
Drug-Free Healing: Chiropractic care avoids reliance on prescription medications, focusing instead on natural healing methods.
Preventive Care: Regular visits can prevent minor issues from escalating into chronic conditions.

These benefits make chiropractic care an appealing option for individuals of all ages, from athletes to seniors.

Chiropractic Care for Athletes and Active Adults

Physically active individuals in Grand Blanc, MI, also turn to chiropractic care for injury prevention and recovery. Sports and exercise place stress on the body, increasing the risk of strains, sprains, and joint misalignments. Regular chiropractic adjustments help athletes maintain optimal performance while reducing downtime from injuries.

For older adults, chiropractic care supports joint health and flexibility, making it easier to stay active and independent.

Why Choose Local Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care in Grand Blanc, MI, is not just about treatment—it’s about building a relationship with a local provider who understands your needs. Local chiropractors are invested in the community and committed to helping residents achieve better health. By choosing a nearby clinic, patients enjoy convenient access to care and personalized attention tailored to their lifestyles.

Schedule Your Chiropractic Appointment in Grand Blanc, MI

If you’re living with back, neck, or joint pain, don’t wait until it becomes a daily struggle. Residents throughout Grand Blanc, MI, trust Davison Chiropractic for professional, personalized care that delivers results. From spinal adjustments to comprehensive treatment plans, chiropractic care in Grand Blanc, MI, can help restore your comfort, mobility, and quality of life. Contact us today at (810) 658-3383 today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward lasting relief with chiropractic care in Grand Blanc, MI.

What You Should Know About Chiropractic Care for Kids

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 20:37:17 GMT

Chiropractic care offers numerous benefits for individuals of all ages, including children. Safe, gentle chiropractic diagnostic and adjustment techniques can identify barriers to proper growth and development, pave the way for a healthier childhood, and help children cope with the physical demands of their daily routine.

If you have never thought about scheduling a chiropractic evaluation or treatment for your child, you may think differently once you understand how and why this form of care can prove so helpful. Here are some key factors to consider.

Why Children Develop Musculoskeletal Problems

Children can experience musculoskeletal problems from the moment they're born. The natural birth process exerts a great deal of pressure on a newborn infants' body. This pressure can push joint components out of their optimal alignment in such subtle ways that you would never suspect a problem simply by looking at your baby.

Even if your baby enjoys a healthy musculoskeletal alignment at first, a variety of bumps, jolts, and other little impacts can create problems early in life. Babies typically experience a few spills as they explore their world, with roughhousing and other playtime activities contributing the share of damage in older kids.

Children who go to school typically wear backpacks. Some kids overstuff their backpacks with unbalanced, heavy loads, while others wear backpacks too large for their frames or fail to adjust the straps for a proper fit. School athletes such as football players and wrestlers subject their bodies to even more strain.

As a result, schooled-aged children often experience neck and back problems. In fact, research indicates that 60 percent of kids who lug heavy backpacks to and from school suffer from back pain, with the average load equivalent to a 39-pound burden on a 176-pound adult male.

How Chiropractic Care Encourages Proper Development

Chiropractic adjustment can ensure that a child's nervous system communicates signals to all parts of the body correctly. Proper nerve communication allows the body to maintain normal organ development, hormonal balances, brain function, and many other key elements of healthy growth and development.

A balanced body also stands a better chance of developing a straight posture and good physical coordination. Even tiny imbalances can affect the way your child walks, judges distance, and develops manual dexterity. Pediatric chiropractic adjustments can help the body maintain this symmetry during the formative years and beyond.

What Chiropractic Treatment Can Do for Childhood Aches, Pains, and Ailments

Chiropractic care can relieve a variety of aches and pains in children and adults alike. By repositioning joint components, chiropractors help individual joints achieve easier, more comfortable motion. Adjustments to the spine can relieve neck and back pain while also normalizing nerve signals to the limbs.

Chiropractic care can help young bodies do a better job of coping with many childhood ailments. Pediatric chiropractors can use their expertise to help kids suffering from colic, chronic ear infections or cold, asthma, allergies, ADHD, and in some cases even autism .

When to Schedule Chiropractic Care for Your Child

Pediatric chiropractors can safely adjust the spines of even the youngest children. Periodic chiropractic checkups make just as much sense for children as other kinds of health and wellness exams. These checkups allow your chiropractor to fix any new problems in their earliest stages. You can also bring your child to the chiropractor to address specific symptoms or ailments as they occur.

Back-to-school chiropractic exams can help prepare your child's musculoskeletal wellbeing before the rigors of another hectic school year. Your child may also receive valuable instruction in proper backpack safety. The early detection of scoliosis, which can happen in a chiropractic session, can alert you to seek any necessary additional treatment for your child.

Davison Chiropractic can help enhance the health and wellness of every member of your family, young and old. Contact our clinic to schedule an initial pediatric chiropractic visit.

4 Signs You Need Chiropractic Care

Fri, 08 May 2020 13:40:09 GMT

The modality of chiropractic care is more than just cracking your back. This particular aspect of medicine uses natural, nonaddictive techniques like spinal alignments and massage therapy to soothe sore muscles and promote healing. You may not realize it, but you can benefit from chiropractic care, even if you don't have serious back pain.

Learn about four signs that you might need chiropractic care.

1. Sedentary Lifestyle

If you work in an office, you probably spend most of the day sitting. In addition to sitting at your job, you also have to sit to drive, and you may come home to sit and watch TV or read.

When you sit for prolonged periods, you're placing pressure on your muscles in your back. These muscles weaken from the stress. You may have minor to moderate back pain as a result of the pressure.

You're also more at risk for being overweight or obese if you're not getting an adequate amount of exercise and exerting enough energy. The excess weight you bear increases the amount of stress you place on the muscles and joints in your back. One study reports that being obese puts you at a greater risk for lower back pain, widespread pain, and fibromyalgia.

Not only may a chiropractor help manage any current conditions you have because of living a sedentary lifestyle, but a chiropractor can also prevent problems from developing.

2. Flexibility and Mobility Changes

You may associate a decrease in your mobility and flexibility with part of the natural aging process. While your mobility and flexibility will change as you age, you don't have to suffer as a result. A chiropractor uses techniques to enhance your range of motion and mobility. The treatments can prevent these issues from worsening and interfering with your ability to conduct your day as usual.

3. Frequently Experiencing Headaches

Many people experience headaches. Some individuals are fortunate enough to only experience them occasionally. However, others have frequent, recurring headaches.

The pain from headaches varies. Some headaches cause a dull or throbbing sensation. Other headaches contribute to debilitating pain that disrupts your daily activities.

While prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers and other medications help control headaches, both types of medications can lead to side effects or long-term health effects. For instance, the short-term side effects of ibuprofen include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, and heartburn. When you take it regularly, ibuprofen can contribute to liver and kidney problems.

Sometimes, the root of your headache doesn't have a connection with your head. Instead, stress or tension in your upper back and shoulders triggers your headache. A chiropractor relieves this stress and tension in your back to prevent headaches. Spinal manipulation provided by a chiropractor also optimizes blood circulation and spinal function to assist with your headaches.

4. Frequently Needing Pain Relievers

You may not realize that your pain is interfering with your life because you take an over-the-counter pain reliever either before or after the discomfort starts. However, as mentioned above, even nonprescription pain relievers impact your health negatively if you're using them frequently. They also only cover up your pain, so the problem is still there and may progress.

A chiropractor offers therapy that works with your body and targets the source of your pain rather than masking it. Chiropractic care may realign your spine and take the pressure off your joints and the surrounding nerves and soft tissue.

Even if you don't have severe pain, chiropractic care may benefit you. You can reduce your reliance on prescription and non-prescription drugs. Additionally, chiropractic care may assist with problems not related to your back like headaches.

Schedule an appointment with Davison Chiropractic, serving Davison, MI, and the surrounding region, by calling us today .

4 Types of Knee Pain Chiropractic Can Could Treat

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 17:23:07 GMT

Chiropractic care isn't just for your back and neck pain. Chiropractors are often trained in therapeutic massage for other parts of your body, and chiropractic adjustments can often affect nerves that could cause symptoms in your legs and other regions.

So although chiropractic treatments may not be your first thought when you experience knee pain, you should keep in mind that your chiropractor may be able to help even though the pain isn't located in your spine.

Here are some examples of knee pain issues that chiropractic care could treat.

1. Patellofemoral Syndrome

Patellofemoral syndrome is a condition that causes pain when the patella doesn't stay in its designated track during knee bending. This condition is sometimes called runner's knee but it's not necessarily a sports injury; in fact, anyone can get this syndrome. Some risk factors include being female, having previous injury to the kneecap, being overweight, or having arthritis.

Patellofemoral syndrome doesn't always have a clear cause, but one potential cause is an imbalance or misalignment in your musculoskeletal system. For example, if your leg is rotated slightly out of line, perhaps because some muscles are more developed than others, this could throw the patella off-course.

Since adjusting musculoskeletal imbalances is a mainstay of chiropractic treatment, your chiropractor can help assess and correct any misalignments in your posture that could contribute to the pain.

2. Arthritis

Two major types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can both cause pain in knee joints and other joints. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition and rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic auto-immune condition, so treatment may focus on managing and mitigating symptoms.

Although chiropractic care doesn't cure these or other types of arthritis, it can still be a useful way to manage pain. And chiropractic care can also help to mitigate other symptoms of arthritis in addition to managing pain.

For instance, regular chiropractic manipulations can help you maintain and even increase your range of motion, and may even reduce inflammation. One of the great things about chiropractic care is that it's very non-invasive and can be used alongside more conventional treatments.

3. Sports Injuries

You probably aren't surprised to hear that a strain or other sports injury in your knee may benefit from chiropractic care. After all, your chiropractor can provide gentle non-invasive treatments that improve range of motion and decrease inflammation, which could be helpful for a variety of sports injuries.

However, you may be more surprised to hear that chiropractic care may act as a preventative for sports-related knee injuries. According to one study , chiropractic care may provide a significant improvement by reducing incidence of absenteeism due to non-contact knee injuries. So chiropractic could act as both a treatment and a preventive measure.

4. Sciatica

Although knee pain isn't the most well-known symptom of sciatica, it can be a significant problem. Your chiropractic practitioner may be able to reduce sciatica symptoms such as knee and leg pain.

A spinal adjustment can often be very effective in the case of sciatica, since the problem may be caused by a pinched nerve due to a spinal problem. Sciatica can cause extreme pain, so be sure to schedule an appointment for a professional diagnosis and treatment right away.

As you can see, several types of knee pain fall under the umbrella of the care your chiropractic office can provide. Although some knee problems may on occasion require other treatments such as surgery, chiropractic care may offer a complementary treatment for knee issues even if it's not the main treatment.

For more information on how chiropractic care can help you, contact Davison Chiropractic today. We offer chiropractic treatments that range from spinal adjustments to therapeutic massage and more. Get in touch to schedule an appointment to diagnose and treat your knee injury or other condition.

How to Age Gracefully With Senior Chiropractic Care

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 20:03:41 GMT

As you head into your senior years, you may encounter age-related changes that limit your mobility and produce chronic discomfort. Some of the changes stem directly from the aging process itself, while others accompany many years of physical wear and tear on the body.

Fortunately, you can control these problems without adding painkilling drugs to your list of medications. Chiropractic care and related forms of treatment can provide safe, non-invasive solutions that reduce chronic symptoms and help you preserve your wellness. Here are some things you should know about senior chiropractic care.

Aging Affects Your Musculoskeletal and Nervous Systems

Aging creates some obvious changes in the human body, including deterioration of the joints that let you move around and perform basic tasks. In the most common degenerative condition, osteoarthritis, the cartilage between bone ends in the joint wears out, prompting inflammation, pain, and stiffness.

Seniors may also encounter problems stemming from degenerative disc disease. This condition starts as age-related fluid loss within the spinal discs. The dehydration causes the discs to shrink and collapse inward, creating stress and inflammation in surrounding spinal joints.

Age-related bulging discs may protrude until they push against nerve roots or spinal cord tissue. If this happens, the nerves served by that tissue may malfunction. Results typically include syndromes such as sciatica, which can create chronic pain, numb or tingling sensations, or loss of muscle control in a limb.

Weight gain often occurs in seniors as they pursue fewer physical activities or experience metabolic changes that cause them to burn fewer calories. Unfortunately, the extra weight can mean extra trouble for a body already struggling with age-related deterioration, inflammation, or nerve compression.

Chiropractic Care Helps You Control Your Symptoms

Some 69 percent of middle-aged and senior U.S. adults take a prescription medication in any given month, with 22.4 percent taking five or more such drugs. Multiple medications can interact with each other in some unwelcome ways, making seniors understandably leery about adding to their prescription list.

Prescription painkillers can ease age-related aches and pains temporarily, but they cannot address the underlying joint or nerve issues that make the pain a constant or recurring problem. This may force you to keep taking the painkillers for brief spells of relief even as the physical problems progress.

Chiropractic care lets you tackle your musculoskeletal or neurological symptoms without drugs. Gentle, careful adjustments to your joints can help minimize bone-on-bone friction and pain by correcting joint component positions. Spinal adjustments can do the same for inflamed vertebral joints.

Chiropractic treatment can also take pressure off of nerve tissue pinched by bulging discs or other imbalances. These treatments aim to shift the protruding structure away from the tissue, improving nerve function and relieving neurological issues such as numbness, tingling, or pain.

If you have always assumed that aging bodies simply cannot stand up to chiropractic adjustment, think again. Evidence indicates that seniors can safely undergo chiropractic care (unless a particular condition rules it out). The American College of Physicians actually lists it as a first-line treatment for lower back pain.

A Holistic Preventative Plan Can Keep You Moving and Feeling Well

Even if you can't receive spinal adjustments, you can still benefit from a chiropractic senior wellness plan. Chiropractic care includes a number of safe, non-invasive practices and techniques that work together, either with adjustment or without it, to help seniors move and function more normally.

Cold laser therapy serves as an example. A low-level laser beam can penetrate the skin harmlessly and painlessly. This energy boosts blood flow, increases fluid drainage, and eases inflammatory pain. Massage therapy provides similar benefits for managing chronic pain and inflammation.

Your holistic senior wellness plan may include exercise recommendations. Therapeutic exercises can help improve your balance, shed excess weight, increase your range of motion, and lower your risk for falls. Your chiropractic treatments may help you get more out of these exercises.

This kind of senior care can even help you resist future illnesses. The more efficiently your nervous system operates, the more effectively your immune system can perform.

If you want to age as gracefully as possible, take a more detailed look at senior chiropractic care. Contact Davison Chiropractic today.

Improving Your Allergies With Chiropractic Treatment

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 02:34:52 GMT

If you have continual allergy symptoms and that aren't well managed, you could be suffering from allergic inflammation. Take a look at why chronic inflammation can be a problem and how a chiropractor can help your allergies.

Why Is Allergen-Induced Inflammation a Problem?

When your body is injured by toxins, trauma, bacteria, etc., your body provides an inflammatory response. For instance, damaged cells may release chemicals, like histamine, as a defense mechanism.

Unfortunately, people with allergies tend to have too much inflammation in their bodies since innocuous allergens in the environment continually trigger the body's defense mechanisms.

This chronic inflammation can lead to not only allergic reactions, like anaphylactic shock, but also to an increased risk in autoimmune disorders like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, chronic inflammation has even been linked to heart disease.

Thankfully, you can reduce this inflammation with the help of a chiropractor.

How Can Chiropractic Adjustments Improve Your Allergy Symptoms?

The spinal cord contains the nerve pathways for messages to be sent from the brain to the body. And since the nervous system and immune system are linked, if there is nerve impingement or interference, then your immune system may struggle.

A chiropractor can adjust your spine so that your nervous system works at its optimal level; and then, your immune responses to allergens can improve as well.

Besides improving nerve pathways, here are just a few ways that chiropractic adjustments can help improve your allergy symptoms.

Improve Your Breathing

If you struggle with respiratory symptoms, like allergen-induced asthma, a chiropractor could help you improve your lung capacity. When there are misalignments in the spine, your chest may feel tight. But when your spine is adjusted properly, you may feel increased flexibility in the muscles in the upper back, neck, chest, and ribs - all of which are involved in breathing mechanics.

Regulate Your Stress Levels

A lot of people with allergies have weak adrenal glands. These glands release hormones to manage stress and maintain cortisol levels. These hormones also have strong anti-inflammatory properties. You may feel fatigued and get sick often if your adrenals don't work well.

The adrenal glands have a direct connection to spinal nerves. When your chiropractor adjusts your spine, then the signals between the adrenal glands and the rest of the body can improve.

Are There Chiropractic Treatments That Can Improve Your Allergen Tolerance?

While a chiropractic adjustment can help you manage allergy symptoms, some patients want to take it a step further and develop a better tolerance to allergens. You could go to your doctor for allergy shots to improve your symptoms, or you can look into Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques (NAET). Although NAET is not a cure-all, one study found that it was able to treat food allergies enough for a patient to reincorporate these items back into her diet without symptoms.

NAET is a drug-free, non-invasive modality that your chiropractor can use to improve your tolerance to allergens. During NAET sessions, your doctor will combine kinesiology, nutrition, and acupuncture or acupressure.

Kinesiology tests will show the relative strength of your muscles (also called neuro-muscular sensitivity testing) when exposed to certain allergens. If muscles have a weak response, then a chiropractor can narrow down allergen triggers to work on.

Once muscles have been tested, your chiropractor can use acupressure points to improve the body's immune response and improve messenger hormones. Your doctor may also put you on a special diet to reduce your inflammatory response and improve your gut health.

You may need more than one treatment session, but the goal of NAET is to not only identify very specific triggers but to improve your overall health so you can combat these allergens.

Pregnant? A Visit to the Chiropractor May Help

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:18:37 GMT

Pregnancy is an exciting time for most pregnant women. And while pregnancy is a natural process, those 40 weeks of gestation aren’t without their difficulties. Everyday minor health issues, like a headache, can pose a challenge for the expectant woman as her usual coping method, such as popping an aspirin, are off-limits during pregnancy.

Thankfully, a chiropractor can often offer relief for some of the more comment pregnancy complaints. Here are two conditions that may warrant a prenatal visit to the chiropractor.

Morning Sickness

Nausea and vomiting are not uncommon, especially in the early weeks of pregnancy. According to the American Pregnancy Association, up to 85 percent of expecting women experience nausea alone and another 60-70 percent vomit as well.

The exact cause of morning sickness — which can actually occur any time of day — can vary. Changing hormones, such as elevated progesterone levels, may be largely to blame, but other factors, such as stress, fatigue, low blood sugar, and multiple fetuses can also exacerbate morning sickness.

Morning sickness typically stops by the third or fourth month of pregnancy. Most women experience mild nausea and vomiting that only poses an occasional inconvenience. If morning sickness is persistent or severe, doctors may prescribe prescription and over-the-counter medications to help control excessive nausea and vomiting.

However, many women are reluctant to take any drugs other than prenatal vitamins while they are pregnant, preferring to look for natural remedies instead. Unfortunately, so-called natural remedies can be just as potentially dangerous or even more so than prescribed medications.

If you are experiencing morning sickness that is interfering with your daily activities and are hesitant to take medication, ask your obstetrician about chiropractic care. Regular adjustments from a chiropractor offer a safe, drug-free alternative that may provide relief.

Sciatica

Most pregnant women expect to experience some back pain during pregnancy. In fact, anywhere from 50-80 percent of women experience back pain during pregnancy. After all, you are growing another human being and the added weight and pressure on your joints, ligaments, and bones is bound to cause occasional aches and pain.

The sciatic nerve largely controls the lower half of the human body. When it becomes compressed, pain can radiate down one side of your body from your upper buttock and down the back of your leg to your foot. This can cause considerable pain when you move. The pain may also cause a burning sensation or even weakness and numbness that can make sitting, standing, and walking difficult.

This is called sciatica. Sciatica is normally seen in people with lumbar spine problems, like a herniated disc, or bones changes in the spine like degenerative disc disease or osteoarthritis. Different pregnancy hormones can also result in sciatica. For example, relaxin is the hormone responsible for widening the hips and relaxing the pelvic bones and ligaments to allow a woman to deliver a baby vaginally.

Because the sciatic nerve passes under the uterus, the weight of the baby and the posture and other changes that occur during pregnancy can cause irritation to the nerve. Most obstetricians allow the use of acetaminophen, but if you are hesitant to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, consider alternative methods for dealing with your pain. Yoga, stretching, and physical therapy can be useful alternatives.

Another great option is chiropractic care and therapeutic massage. Repeated visits to the chiropractor as your pregnancy progresses and the baby grows can help reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve and lessen or even eliminate sciatica pain.

If you are pregnant and experiencing morning sickness, sciatic, or other issues you normally treat with medication, contact Davison Chiropractic today to schedule an appointment.

What You Need To Know About Cold Laser Therapy

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 02:07:45 GMT

Cold laser therapy, also called low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or low-power laser therapy (LPLT), is a non-surgical pain management treatment suitable for some patients who experience back and neck pain or certain injuries. Chiropractors and other health care professionals apply cold laser therapy to the pained or inflamed areas.

The procedure uses a low-level laser that emits near-infrared light. The light from the laser is able to penetrate the skin and reach the body's deeper tissues. Once the tissues absorb the light, it interacts with the body's cells and speeds up the healing process. The laser light also helps reduce pain and swelling in damaged tissues.

Uses

Cold laser therapy is used primarily on patients who have chronic musculoskeletal pain. While the treatment works on different parts of the body for different injuries, like ligament and muscle strains, patients who have lasting lower back or neck pain often find relief from laser therapy.

Cold laser therapy also helps patients who have arthritis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip bursitis, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).

Procedure and Results

A single treatment session of cold laser therapy is typically short. Most health care professionals who administer the treatment spend 30 seconds to several minutes holding the handheld laser over the affected areas.

Treatment sessions that cover a large area, such as the entire lower back, take longer since the laser device will need to be moved around to target one smaller area at a time. The procedure isn't painful, and you won't feel any vibration or hear any noise. Some patients can feel the laser, but most do not report it as uncomfortable.

There is no standard for the number and frequency of cold laser therapy treatments. How many sessions you'll need depends on the severity and type of your condition and how well previous treatment sessions work.

You may have to wait several weeks to a month to see the full benefit of cold laser therapy, and some patients need to have several short sessions a week to get maximum relief.

Cold laser therapy has been the subject of multiple studies that have shown generally favorable results, though many of the studies have small participant groups. This treatment is FDA-approved, so you know it’s safe and effective.

Advantages and Disadvantages

One of the biggest advantages of cold laser therapy is that it is a non-invasive treatment method. Since cold laser therapy doesn't lead to any downtime for healing, it can be a good treatment choice for patients who experience pain but have busy lifestyles.

The therapy also doesn't involve the use of any medications, which makes it appealing to patients seeking drug-free ways to manage their pain. However, you can combine it with medications and other treatment methods to provide additional relief.

The main disadvantage many patients report is that cold laser therapy doesn't work immediately. Most patients need multiple treatment sessions — as many as 30 — to see a significant reduction in inflammation and pain.

Another downside to cold laser therapy is that some health insurance providers won't cover the cost of the treatment. But some health care practitioners offer billing or payment plans to help patients afford the cost of the treatment.

Risks

Cold laser therapy is approved for use by the FDA, and it is considered safe for most patients. The treatment has very few side effects and is tolerated very well by most people.

Testing on pregnant women is lacking, so pregnant women shouldn't have cold laser therapy. People who have open sores, suspicious moles, or cancerous lesions shouldn't expose their skin to lasers.

Davison Chiropractic offers chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and pain management treatments to patients in Davison and Lapeer, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Dealing With Neck Pain? Learn About Acute Torticollis

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 20:42:53 GMT

If you have a persistent crick in your neck that doesn't go away, you could have acute torticollis. Acute torticollis, or wry neck, is a condition where your neck develops stiffness in muscles and tendons. Sometimes this stiffness is accompanied by spasms. Talk with your primary care physician or a chiropractor to be sure this is the issue.

Because acute torticollis places your neck and head in an abnormal posture, it can cause a chain reaction throughout your back. Besides having neck pain, you could have shoulder pain, headaches, and back pain as muscles try to compensate for poor posture.

Take a look at what causes acute torticollis, how you can relieve your symptoms, and how a chiropractor can help.

What Causes Acute Torticollis?

Some people confuse acute torticollis with paroxysmal torticollis. Paroxysmal torticollis is a genetic condition that often manifests in infancy. Besides a stiff neck, paroxysmal torticollis can cause vomiting. Acute torticollis can also cause serious symptoms if it isn't taken care of, but it's not an inherited condition. It can be caused by many things, such as:

Whiplash sprains after a car accident
Viral or bacterial infections
Herniated discs
Injuries that cause scar tissue around the neck
Poor pillow support
Awkward sleeping positions

As you can see, acute torticollis can be caused by something simple, like using the wrong pillow, to more serious events like injury. Viral or bacterial infections can cause inflammation and nerve irritation in neck muscles, thus causing torticollis.

Thankfully, many ways exist to relieve your symptoms.

What Can You Do to Relieve Your Symptoms?

If your acute torticollis is from an infection, visit the doctor for antibiotics or whatever medications you will need. Your doctor may prescribe NSAIDs to relieve the swelling or muscle relaxers so that you can avoid spasms.

Ask a chiropractor about wearing a cervical collar. These neck braces provide good support and let guarded muscles relax.

Lastly, alternate between heat packs and ice packs. Ice can reduce swelling in neck, shoulder, and back muscles. Heat increases blood circulation so that your tissues get fresh oxygen and nutrients. Heat therapy also reduces spasms and helps muscles relax.

How Can a Chiropractor Help Acute Torticollis?

Your chiropractor can use many techniques to relieve your torticollis. In broad terms, he or she may use manipulations and/or massage therapy.

Manipulations

Your chiropractor can make adjustments in the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine, depending on how the torticollis affects your posture and whether or not it causes pinched nerves.

Some people are hesitant with manual manipulations. If you fall into this category, your chiropractor can use an Arthrostim device. Instead of making one large adjustment, an Arthrostim divides the needed force into multiple, accurate thrusts, which could be more comfortable for you.

Whatever method of manipulation you and your chiropractor choose, you should find relief from torticollis. Manipulations help you correct your posture, relax your muscles, and relieve nerve pressure.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is beneficial because it can warm up the muscles without causing pain. Like spinal manipulation, you have many approaches with this therapy. For example, you could get a Swedish massage, which involves long kneading strokes. A Swedish massage could reduce muscle guarding and spasms.

If your torticollis is from an injury, you may have developed scar tissue. If that's the case, your therapist could use trigger-point therapy. Trigger points are simply tight areas of muscle tissue. By placing pressure on these specific points, your therapist can unlock tight areas so that you can heal your range of motion.

Contact Davison Chiropractic for more information on chiropractic services and how you can treat your acute torticollis.

3 Chiropractic Terms to Know Before Your First Visit

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 16:53:39 GMT

Chiropractic visits are becoming more and more common as people discover the pain-relieving benefits. Still, going to someplace that adjusts your back or neck can be scary. Luckily, chiropractic care is safe and effective at helping with many conditions.

If you are going to see a chiropractor for the first time, or you just want to know more about what to expect, check out these three chiropractor terms you need to know first.

1. Manipulation

Manipulation (also called adjustment) is the term used for applying pressure to joints to release them. This helps release stiffness and improves range of motion. Any joint can be manipulated, but many people visit the chiropractor because of neck or back pain.

During the manipulation, it can feel and sound like your joints are moving, but they are not. The reason for the popping sound is the small amount of gas that is released when the joints are properly adjusted. It is perfectly normal, not harmful and shouldn't hurt.

There are many types of manipulation techniques. One of the most common, however, is the direct thrust technique. With this technique, the chiropractor applies fast thrust to the joint in an attempt to force it to move again. If you have osteoporosis or a similar condition, direct thrust may be too powerful. Instead, the chiropractor will focus on spinal mobilization, which involves stretching and slow movements.

2. Modality

Depending on your condition, modalities may also be needed to improve your spine health. A modality is a treatment done in conjunction with manipulation to improve the results. Common modalities performed before a manipulation include heat, massage, and electrical stimulation. These help loosen the muscles, so moving joints is easier.

Ultrasound can also be used to massage and heat deep tissues to improve blood flow. To help better stretch each vertebra, the doctor may also recommend spinal traction. Again, this is often done before manipulations in order to make it easier to move joints.

In many cases, back and neck pain is caused by poor posture, which leads to both weak, elongated muscles and tight, short muscles. If your pain is caused by poor posture or a similar lifestyle problem, the chiropractor will suggest lifestyle choices. These may include exercises and stretches to improve posture, diet changes to lose weight, etc.

3. Subluxation

Subluxation refers to a partially dislocated vertebrae, and in most of the medical field, it is a major condition that needs treatment as soon as possible. If your chiropractor mentions subluxation, however, don't worry. Chiropractors use this term for the minor misalignment of the vertebrae.

The process of subluxation involves a lot of changes, including congestion of joints (trigger points that cause painful toxins that irritate nerves). Other changes may include edema, minute hemorrhage, fibrosis, local ischemia, and atrophy.

Vertebral subluxation often starts with abnormal motion because of the position of the spinal bones. This can make it hard to twist or bend your spine. The misalignment is often caused by poor posture. If the condition worsens, it can begin to affect the nervous systems. This, combined with limited mobility, may allow some of your muscles to atrophy or shrink.

Chiropractic manipulations alone can't fix your bad posture, but they can loosen joints, releasing some pain immediately. They also make it easier for you to exercise and stretch to improve your posture for good. Thanks to the growing demand for chiropractic care, your insurance carrier may even cover some treatments. If you would like to know more about chiropractic care, or if you need to schedule your first appointment, contact us at Davison Chiropractic today.

Understanding Patellar Subluxation

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 20:53:41 GMT

Patellar subluxation refers to a partially dislocated kneecap, or patella, and is also called patellar or kneecap instability. When certain muscles and ligaments become injured, your patella may move abnormally, causing discomfort and limited mobility when flexing your knee.

You chiropractor will determine whether you have a patellar dislocation or a patellar subluxation based upon the extent of your knee dislocation. Here are some things you need to know about patellar subluxation.

Symptoms and Causes

Symptoms associated with patellar subluxation may include:

Locking of the knee, a catching sensation, or buckling
Kneecap slipping out of position to the outer side of your knee
Pain after sitting for a long time
Anterior knee pain that gets worse after activity
Cracking or popping in the knee
Inflammation or stiffness of the knee

If you develop any of these symptoms, do not attempt to diagnose your condition yourself. Make an appointment with your doctor, who will examine your knee so that an effective treatment plan can be implemented after the appropriate diagnosis is made.

Contact sports or other extreme activities can cause patellar subluxation, and this condition typically affects young people between 10 to 20 years of age. A first-time patellar subluxation often occurs while playing sports, and after a first-time injury, the risk for a second dislocation is high.

Diagnosing Patellar Subluxation

Your doctor will manipulate your leg by bending and straightening your knee, while palpating the area surrounding your kneecap to help confirm the diagnosis of patellar subluxation. To help support the diagnosis, x-rays may be taken to evaluate the placement of your kneecap and to identify other possible causes for your symptoms such as a bone injury.

In addition to x-rays, a magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI) may be useful in evaluating the soft tissues surrounding your patella and in examining your ligaments. An MRI can help confirm the diagnosis a patellar dislocation in children who may be asymptomatic or who are not aware that a patellar dislocation has occurred.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

There are a number of non-surgical treatment options your chiropractor may recommend to correct your patellar subluxation. The type of treatment your doctor recommends is based on the severity and cause of the subluxation.

Physical therapy may be recommended to help strengthen the muscles that surround your patella and the rest of your lower extremity. Pelvic stabilization exercises, which help strengthen your hip flexors and hip abductors, help treat subluxation by stabilizing the function of the extremity.

Another treatment option is bracing and taping your kneecap because it can provide relief from your symptoms; however, it is not a long-term solution. If you experience relief from bracing in taping, your doctor may advise you to continue on with this conservative treatment option. Special shoes can also help improve your gait while running to help minimize pressure on your patella.

Your chiropractor may also recommend that you elevate your knee to help minimize inflammation. To further decrease swelling and pain, ice your knee. Apply the ice pack every hour for the first day of your injury for 10 to 15 minutes.

On the second day, ice your knee every 3 to 4 hours for a couple days or until you feel better. Avoid placing the ice directly on your skin when icing your knee.

Taking over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen helps relieve pain and inflammation, however, talk to your doctor before taking them, especially in you have hypertension, liver or kidney disease, stomach problems, or heart disease.

To learn more about patellar subluxation, or to make an appointment with the chiropractor, contact Davison Chiropractic today.

Symptoms and Causes

Symptoms associated with patellar subluxation may include:

Locking of the knee, a catching sensation, or buckling
Kneecap slipping out of position to the outer side of your knee
Pain after sitting for a long time
Anterior knee pain that gets worse after activity
Cracking or popping in the knee
Inflammation or stiffness of the knee

Diagnosing Patellar Subluxation

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

On the second day, ice your knee every 3 to 4 hours for a couple days or until you feel better. Avoid placing the ice directly on your skin when icing your knee.

To learn more about patellar subluxation, or to make an appointment with the chiropractor, contact Davison Chiropractic today.

Ease Your Tendinitis With Chiropractic Care

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 23:18:08 GMT

Tendinitis is a condition that often makes the tendons in your body inflamed and painful. Your tendons connect the muscles to bones, and if they become overused through strenuous activities or due to an accident, you may need treatment. And treating your condition without the use of medications that may cause side effects is a possible solution.

If home remedies and rest does not seem to help, or if you are tired of relying on medication, why not consult a chiropractor who may be able to ease your discomfort? Here is what you need to do to begin this alternative treatment option.

Take the First Steps

Once you have decided to try a drug-free approach to treat your tendinitis, schedule an appointment with your chiropractor. However, before you do so, you might want to check your health plan to note whether your insurance covers chiropractic care. If you are covered through your employer, speak with human resources.

Attend the Initial Visit and Get an Evaluation

Your chiropractor will most likely begin with a medical evaluation. He or she will probably need to see your medical records and be informed of any medical conditions or medications you currently take. Don't hold anything back.

An evaluation of your condition will help your provider access the situation in order to initiate a treatment plan and options. You may be asked a series of questions about your tendinitis, like what area the pain is generally located. Tendinitis often occurs in a wrist, shoulder, knee, ankle, or other location.

You may be asked to describe the pain you are experiencing. For instance, is it a dull or sharp pain, and do you experience a burning or tingling sensation? Also, inform your chiropractor of any activities that seem to worsen your pain.

Your physical examination will typically include the usual procedures, such as taking your blood pressure and heart rate. You may also be tested for range of motion and strength in the affected area. The specialist may feel an x-ray will be helpful for further evaluation, although this is not always necessary.

Create a Chiropractic Treatment Plan

Once your provider accesses your condition, a treatment plan will be put into action. Treatment options may include joint manipulation (if joints are determined to be misaligned), electrical stimulation, or strengthening exercises.

With electrical muscle stimulation, electrodes will be applied to the area of pain, and the electrodes connect to a wire that attaches to a device. You may experience a tingle during treatment. The goal is to increase blood flow to the affected area, reduce pain and inflammation, and help to support healing to the tendons and muscles.

Once the inflammation and pain begins to decrease after treatment sessions, you may be instructed to perform strengthening exercises. Your chiropractor will typically show you the correct way to perform the exercises, which can be followed up at home.

Physical therapy may also be part of your treatment plan, and this may include weekly sessions that last for a few weeks or longer.

Prevent Future Flare-Ups

Your chiropractor may also have suggestions for preventing future flare-ups of tendinitis. If you work on a computer for long periods at a time, you may need to adjust your posture and avoid slouching. Proper body mechanics and ergonomics are important if you are to avoid future pain.

When you participate in sports that aggravate your condition, you may be advised to warm up properly and perform stretches beforehand.

If you have further questions or concerns regarding your condition or treatment options, speak with one of our chiropractors . We’ll help you start your recovery process now and get the relief you need to function to your fullest.

Signs and Symptoms of Forward Head Posture

Sat, 20 Jul 2019 20:40:10 GMT

A lot of people have poor posture, but if your upper back rounds forward, and your chin pokes out too much, you may have forward head posture. This can lead to long-term pain and discomfort. If you've experienced pain in your neck or upper back, keep reading to learn more about the signs and symptoms of forward head posture.

Rounded Upper Back and Flattened Lower Back

You can spot if someone has forward head posture by looking at their normal standing position. With a healthy neck and back, your upper back, neck, and head should almost form a straight line (some inward curvature of the cervical spine should exist) with your head balanced evenly on your neck.

However, if you have forward neck posture, your head sits forward, pulling your neck and upper back and causing them to become rounded with your chin poking forward. At the same time, your lower back, which should also have a slight natural inward curve, starts to flatten.

Your head, which can weigh eight to 12 pounds, becomes heavier the more forward it leans. On average, holding your neck just one inch forward can add 10 pounds to what the neck has to support.

Muscle and Spine Strain and Stress

Your head leaning forward puts a lot of strain on your neck and upper back muscles because of the weight of your head. This causes some muscles to shrink and others to elongate. These shortened muscles affect your mobility, making it hard to turn your neck, especially to look behind you. Elongated muscles become weak, making your upper back and shoulders weak.

The most commonly elongated muscles include the deep cervical flexors, erector spinae, and the shoulder blade retractors. The deep cervical flexors and erector spinae are largely responsible for supporting the neck and helping with rotation. The shoulder blade retractors allow you to pull your shoulder blades back, opening the chest. If the retractors are weak, your shoulders rotate forward.

Muscles that become short include suboccipital muscles, chest muscles, and the levator scapulae muscles. The suboccipital muscles help keep the head up and straight. The chest muscles get tight because of the rounded shoulders. Levator scapular muscles lift the scapular and help move the neck. When these muscles become too tight, standing up straight and opening your chest becomes increasingly difficult and painful.

Tight neck muscles don't just affect your mobility and strength; they can lead to headaches. Some patients with severe forward head posture may even have craniofacial pain from the muscles being pulled too tightly.

Hyperflexion and Hyperextension of the Spine

Hyperflexion and hyperextension simply mean your spine bends and stretches too much. Neck hyperflexion and hyperextension is actually closely associated with whiplash injuries, which often happen after car accidents when your head bends forward and then backward quickly and forcefully.

When you have forward head posture, however, the hyperflexion and hyperextension develop slowly from the long-term stretching of the muscles and spine and the weight of the head. The upper part of your cervical spine, right under the skull, hyperextends to keep your eyes looking straight ahead. Your lower cervical spine experiences hyperflexion, which with causes forward bending.

Forward head posture don't just make you look like you have a hunched back — it also causes long-term pain and weak muscles.

If you have any of the symptoms of forward head posture, you may want to schedule a chiropractic visit. A good chiropractic adjustment can eliminate some pain immediately. Plus, your provider can teach you helpful stretches and suggest other treatments that may help. For more information, contact us today at Davison Chiropractic.

Sciatic Nerve Pain and How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 05:23:13 GMT

Sciatic nerve pain is a bothersome symptom of different conditions. The pain of sciatica can affect your quality of life if left untreated. When it's severe enough, sciatic nerve pain can cause you difficulty in standing, sitting, or even sleeping. Find out what sciatica is and how chiropractic care can help.

Basics of Sciatica

Sciatica is nerve pain. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower spine to your heel via the buttocks and back of the leg. When inflamed, the nerve produces a radiating pain. While the pain can affect any part of the long sciatic nerve, it usually follows the path of the nerve.

You can feel discomfort anywhere along the pain spectrum. Common feelings include the following:

Numbness
Mild ache
Burning
Electric shock
Sharp pain

The pain comes and goes, though you usually feel some level of discomfort continuously. Long periods of sitting can make the sciatic nerve pain worse.

Causes of Sciatic Nerve Pain

One of the most common causes for sciatica is a herniated disc. Your spine is made up of vertebrae separated by discs of flexible tissue surrounding a soft center. If the soft center gets displaced and begins to push out, the resultant condition is a herniated disc. With sciatica, the displaced disc is pushing against the sciatic nerve, causing irritation to the nerve and pain to you.

Several factors can cause a herniated disc. Age is a common factor — the hard outer portion of the disc can weaken over time, letting the soft center become displaced. You can also injure your back by lifting heavy objects improperly or twisting while lifting. Being sedentary — say, at a desk — can contribute to the issue.

Sciatic nerve pain can have other causes as well. An adjacent bone spur or tumor pressing on the nerve can also cause the pain. Internal bleeding, infection, and acute injury are serious causes of sciatic nerve pain and require medical diagnosis.

Chiropractic Care for Sciatica

Chiropractors specialize in the treatment of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. As such, they may be uniquely qualified to treat sciatica caused by a herniated disc.

Typically, a chiropractor starts with a comprehensive evaluation to determine if you're a good candidate for chiropractic treatment. The evaluation can include assessment of your posture and spinal alignment as well as medical history.

If you're a good candidate for chiropractic treatment for your sciatic nerve pain, you'll likely undergo manual manipulation. With this treatment, chiropractors apply a high-velocity arm thrust directly to the misaligned vertebra.

Sometimes a misaligned pelvis can contribute further to sciatic nerve pain. When this is the case, the chiropractor might put the patient in a position to stretch the lower back and apply pressure to the sacroiliac joint to re-align the pelvis.

In addition to chiropractic adjustments to re-align the skeletal system, chiropractors often employ other treatments. These treatments can include mobilization, which is a low-velocity manipulation by way of stretches. They might also combine adjustments with massages to relieve muscle pain when the spine is re-aligned.

Some other therapies that chiropractors employ include the use of a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit. Electrodes attached to the patient's body send small waves of electricity to stimulate the muscle and reduce muscle spasms. Another option for reducing muscle spasms is ultrasound, which produces a gentle heat and increases blood flow.

Other Treatments for Sciatica

Other treatments for sciatic nerve pain run the gamut from over-the-counter painkillers to surgery. Painkillers such as ibuprofen help alleviate the pain, as do hot or cold compression packs. Physical activity can also alleviate the symptoms of sciatica, since the condition is exacerbated by prolonged sitting.

For serious cases of sciatica, you may need to see a medical doctor. Doctors sometimes prescribe cortisone shots to alleviate any swelling in the area. However, surgery to widen the spinal cord or remove the herniated disc may be necessary if nothing else alleviates the pain.

Don't suffer through sciatica — seek treatment for the pain. Visit Davison Chiropractic to discover if you're a good candidate for chiropractic care for sciatica.