A disorder of the nerves is known as neuropathy and it also affects the peripheral muscles. Information is carried back and forth between these nerves, but a disorder can cause a problem with the information sent between the nerves. The pain produced and depending on the disorder has the ability to cause loss of muscle control and control in general.

Peripheral is basically defined as the nerves that go out from the center of the body and they are distant from the spinal cord and brain. When you break it down neuro refers to the nerves and pathy is abnormal. Peripheral neuropathy has many symptoms and they vary depending on the nerve that’s involved.

There are basically three types of nerves and each one has its own symptoms. The first type is autonomic and that is what carries information to the glands and organs. The second type is the sensory and that’s what carries sensations. The final type is motor and that’s what controls the muscles.

Peripheral neuropathy affects many different parts of the body including the face, limbs, and torso. Some of the symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy include:
• Lower blood pressure
• Numbness
• Inability to move that part of the body
• Tingling
• Pain
• Burning

There are many others as well, but it depends on the person and the location as to what the symptoms may be. There are also a number of causes that can lead to peripheral neuropathy. These causes include:
• Alcoholism
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Liver failure
• Kidney failure
• Infection

While chiropractic care may not help with neuropathy with those causes if the cause is from nerve impingement or compression it is possible. A complete neurological exam will be conducted so the cause and the areas affected can be determined.

Adjustments are used to move the bones to the correct place so the muscles are allowed to work properly. When this happens pain and spasms are minimized and relief is felt; depending on the cause a life style change may be needed to prevent it from reoccurring.

The life style change may need to include physical therapy to the muscles to accomplish control and strength in the muscles affected. Most of the time the life style change can be done with a simple change in the diet and including exercise routines along with regular chiropractic care.

Chiropractic can help with sciatica but first let’s discuss what sciatica is.  Sciatica is the pain that radiates down the buttock and back of the leg.  In some cases, this pain may also involve the soles of the feet.  Sciatic pain is usually sharp or burning in nature and is frequently accompanied by low-back discomfort.  However, low back discomfort is not always present, it may also occur in individuals with no history of backaches.  An important note to understand is that sciatica is a symptom of a problem, of something actually compressing the nerve roots that make up the sciatic nerve.  This type of pain or discomfort is often seen in individuals ages 30 to 50 and it often does not occur from an event or injury but most commonly develops as general wear and tear of the lower spine.

To understand sciatic pain we must first discuss the sciatic nerve and its components. The sciatic nerve is a confluence of nervous tissue that emerges from the spinal cord in the lower back region; once the nerve splits off from the spinal cord, the nervous tissue exits between the spinal bones known as vertebrae, which then converge to form the sciatic nerve.  About halfway down the thigh, the sciatic nerve splits into the tibial nerve and the common peroneal nerve.  The tibial nerve continues down the calf and into the sole of the foot, while the common peroneal nerve innervates the front of the leg.

Sciatic pain is most commonly triggered by compression of the sciatic nerve.  The compression will usually occur at the region near the spine where the nerve is formed.  More specifically the bones, the vertebrae or the pelvic bones become restricted or out of alignment (subluxated) affecting the nervous tissue.  Scientific studies reveal that vertebral subluxations are associated with an increased risk of low-back pain and sciatica.  In addition to vertebral subluxations, the sciatic nerve may be compressed by a ruptured spinal disc or by bony spurs caused by osteoarthritis.  Swollen or tight muscles in the buttocks may also restrict the nerve.  In some rare cases, the sciatic nerve may be compressed by a tumor or inflamed by a disease process.

Chiropractors take a unique approach to ending sciatic pain.  The first thing we do is discover the cause of your pain, rather than merely covering your symptoms.  Next, we work to correct the source of the complaint.  Ending sciatic pain usually involves restoring motion and alignment to subluxated regions in the spine or pelvis.  Chiropractors will use gentle and safe maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments in order to correct the misalignment.  Instead of suffering with unrelenting leg pain which is associated with sciatic pain; seek the care that will determine the cause and address it.  Sciatic pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is affecting your overall state of wellness.  Do not ignore the signals your body is sending and seek Chiropractic care to alleviate your symptoms the natural and effective way.

You simply didn’t see it coming.  Everything was going smoothly; all the traffic lights were staying green, almost by your bidding.  However, someone coming from your left was in too much of a hurry, and collided into the side of your car.  As soon as you felt the impact, felt your head and neck snap suddenly to the side, you knew that pain was in your future.

Thankfully, no one else was seriously injured, and the doctor at the emergency room gave everyone a relatively good bill of health.  He does caution you that you might feel the symptoms of whiplash over the next few days, and that a visit to the chiropractor might be warranted.  Sure enough, over the next few days, you start feeling a few of the classic symptoms of whiplash:

• Headaches
• Neck Pain
• Pain and tingling in the upper shoulders
• Fatigue
• Irritability

So, without further ado, you call and make an appointment with a recommended chiropractor in your area.  But you wonder how can a chiropractor help you?

In truth, there are a number of ways that a chiropractor can be of service in cases involving whiplash.  In essence, the symptoms collectively known as whiplash are caused by damage to the neck area of the spinal column, including damage to the discs, the tendons and ligaments, and even the nerves in the area.  These items are collectively known as soft tissues, an area of expertise for most chiropractors.

Whiplash itself is diagnosed using such things as a CT scan or an MRI, along with a discussion of the various symptoms.  Once the correct diagnosis is made, there are a number of things that a chiropractor can do to help alleviate some of the common symptoms of whiplash.

For example, a qualified chiropractor will often use spinal manipulation or also called an adjustment.  This process involves the chiropractor moving the involved joint, in this case the neck, to improve the movement and flexibility into the area that was restricted by the whiplash.  It can sometimes consist of short, measured movements, and should not be attempted at home, unless provided with specific direction and instruction.  In fact, spinal manipulation, especially in the neck area is best performed by a professional chiropractor.  They have years of study and training to draw from.

Another potential treatment option for whiplash is the use of muscle massage and relaxation techniques.  These consist of gentle stretching, and other massage techniques.  They are often used to relieve the muscle tension often associated with whiplash.

In addition to spinal manipulation and muscle relaxation techniques, many chiropractors use a number of specific exercises to help alleviate the symptoms of whiplash.   One of the most common categories is called McKenzie Exercises, or stabilization and sensorimotor exercises.  These exercises are designed to reduce disc derangement related to a whiplash injury.  They consist of simple movements that are done first in the chiropractor’s office, but can be easily done at home with proper instruction.

These are just a few of the ways that a chiropractor can help you gain relief from your whiplash injuries after a serious car accident.

Did you know that Chiropractic can help with fibromyalgia?  Fibromyalgia is a complex and mysterious disorder which has no known cure.  Chiropractic has helped many people by reducing the symptoms associated with it hence improving the quality of life.  Since there are no specific tests to determine if an individual has fibromyalgia, many physicians deny that the disorder exists.  Many will associate the symptoms of fibromyalgia with emotional or psychological causes.

Some researchers suggest that fibromyalgia is a disorder that stems from the central nervous system. Individuals who suffer from fibromyalgia appear to have abnormalities in the neurotransmitters that transmit nerve impulses. Because of this finding it has been suggested that fibromyalgia is a problem of central nervous system hypersensitivity.  Since the main theory behind Chiropractic is that the health is controlled by the state of the individual’s central nervous system, it is only natural that Chiropractic could help with this disorder.

The question then arises, what is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a syndrome, and not a specific disease; which means that people with this condition will have a variety of symptoms. This particular disorder is diagnosed by a process of elimination.  When there is no other explanation for the symptoms it is believed that fibromyalgia is the culprit.  To have fibromyalgia, the individual must have widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body that lasts more or less continuously, for at least three months. The person will also have extreme pain in the predetermined tender points in the body.  There are 18 tender points in the body and the individual suffering from this disorder will experience hypersensitivity in at least 11 of the 18 points.

Some symptoms associated with fibromyalgia are, morning stiffness, chronic headaches, fatigue, menstrual irregularities, sleep disorders, muscle weakness, depression as well as anxiety.

It is difficult for a person suffering from fibromyalgia to receive the correct diagnosis.  Many sufferers have sought help and because of the difficulty of diagnosing have had to endure painful surgeries and invasive methods and still get no relief.  The symptoms seem very erratic and can affect the entire body in a variety of ways so many will seek relief through holistic approaches such as those provided by a Chiropractor.

In order for a Chiropractor to successfully diagnose an individual with fibromyalgia, he must be a good listener.  Communication is the key in determining a correct diagnosis and the patient must feel comfortable in order for good communication to occur.  Initially, the Chiropractor will take a complete health history as well as a physical assessment.  An evaluation of the spine will also be performed along with palpation of muscles and thumb point pressure placed on the predetermined tender points.  In a healthy individual, the tender points will hurt when pressure is applied but for one suffering from fibromyalgia, the pain will be significantly intensified when minimal pressure is applied.  The Chiropractor may also apply pressure in areas where pain is not normally felt to compare the two areas.

After the tender point evaluation, the Chiropractor will adjust the neck and spine.  Adjustments are done using the hands and usually consist of a short, sharp thrust that may cause a popping sound. The ultimate goal of these adjustments is to correct misalignment of the spine. Once the spine is correctly aligned, pain symptoms in any parts of the body, not just the spine and neck, should be reduced or disappear. When pain is reduced, other problems, such as disrupted sleep, fatigue, and depression, tend to disappear.

Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, Chiropractic treatment has been shown to help individuals suffering from this disorder and therefore reducing the symptoms and improving their overall quality of life.

In today’s society it is no surprise to find folks with one hand on the mouse, one hand on the keyboard and eyes glued to the computer screen.  Although this practice may seem harmless you are actually putting yourself at risk for injury.  The injury I am referring to is called carpal tunnel syndrome.  Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disordered that is accompanied by numbness, pain or tingling in the arm, wrist or hand.  Movements or motions that are repetitive in nature such as typing, sewing, and computer mouse use can often trigger this condition.  Other activities that may involve the hand to bend at the wrist for long periods of time, such as driving, hair blow-drying or pushing a stroller can also provoke carpal tunnel syndrome.

During the activities mentioned the tendons of the wrist swell and press the adjacent nerve which is called the median nerve.  When the median nerve is compressed it can result in wrist fatigue and discomfort and in some severe cases, muscular atrophy.  How can Chiropractic help with carpal tunnel syndrome?

The median nerve originates in the spinal cord of the neck and runs down the shoulder, arm and into the hand.  Although carpal tunnel syndrome is typically considered a condition of the wrist, Chiropractors investigate all possible causes of the median nerve entrapment.  Chiropractors investigate the cause of the symptom and tackle the cause which will in turn eliminate the symptom which in this case is carpal tunnel syndrome.

Chiropractors consider the whole person when caring for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.  The therapy of choice may involve therapy to the wrist as well as the spine and muscles of the neck.  Some techniques chiropractors use to eliminate the wrist pain involves detection and removal of spinal subluxations.  Many individuals that suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome find lasting relief from chiropractic adjustments to the spine of the neck, which is gentle maneuvers that restore motion and optimal posture to segments of the spine where movement may be restricted or bones misaligned, also known as subluxations.  In addition to adjusting the spine, chiropractors may also adjust the bones in the wrist and hands.  In some cases, the bones in the hands become jammed which in turn aggravate the carpal tunnel syndrome.

Chiropractic adjustments restore the proper alignments to the bones of the wrist and hand, therefore freeing the body to heal itself.  Chiropractors will also suggest ingesting a Vitamin B6 complex supplement, which has shown to help with pain.  Along with vitamins, exercise has helped many sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome.  Chiropractors can suggest specific exercises designed to reduce neck strain.  The strain and tension may provoke the carpal tunnel syndrome and the exercises will help in alleviating the pain.

If you are suffering from wrist pain due to carpal tunnel syndrome before going the surgery route, you owe it to yourself to try chiropractic first.  Surgery is painful and not always successful in ending your wrist pain and discomfort.  Your doctor of chiropractic will conduct a thorough examination and let you know if chiropractic can help with your condition.

Before we can talk about the symptoms that accompany fibromyalgia we need to discuss the meaning of fibromyalgia.  Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons.  All the soft tissues of the body are composed of these elements so when a person is experiencing fibromyalgia they are experiencing pain all over their bodies.  The muscles may have the sensation of being overworked and at times will twitch or burn.

The pain associated with fibromyalgia is not associated or related to arthritis or the nervous system.  Some people will describe the pain associated with fibromyalgia as knots located in the belly of the muscles, which at times will cause restricted motion and radiating pain.  The knots that they describe are myofascial trigger points and some researchers believe that these painful areas overlap with tender points and are used to diagnose fibromyalgia.

The most frustrating part of fibromyalgia is that the symptoms are erratic. Because the symptoms are unpredictable and limiting in nature making plans is nearly impossible.  Individuals that suffer from fibromyalgia feel as though they must push themselves to get activities or projects completed.

Some of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia are the following:

Sleep disturbances – individuals complain of difficulty sleeping or staying asleep.  They are unable to sleep for long periods of time so they feel overly tired when they do arise from bed.

Inability to Concentrate – the symptom referred to ‘fibro-fog’ is associated with fibromyalgia and creates an inability to concentrate or retain information, therefore making it difficult for individuals to work or stay focused.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – individuals with fibromyalgia suffer from constipation, frequent abdominal pain, diarrhea as well as bloating.

Chronic Headaches – many individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia complain from tension or migraine headaches.  Most will suffer from severe headaches that occur 2 to 3 times per week.

Jaw pain – individuals with fibromyalgia also suffer from temporomandibular joint dysfunction which in turn causes severe jaw related face and head pain.  The joint is not usually the issue; the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint are the ones affected.

Inability to exercise – many healthy individuals exercise to activate a pain-relieving system in their bodies, but individuals who suffer from fibromyalgia, exercise simply intensifies the pain.  However some exercise is better than none, so it is wise for individuals with fibromyalgia to do mild exercises in short intervals to keep the muscles fit while not over exerting them.

Other Common Symptoms – acid reflux, shortness of breath, sensation of swollen extremities, irregular heart palpitations, dry mouth, burning of eyes, dizziness or faint feeling, sweating, muscle weakness and balance issues. Individuals that suffer from fibromyalgia also have sensitivity to loud noises, odors, bright lights and at times the medications that are prescribed.

Unfortunately the list can go on and on since the muscles, ligaments and tendons are affected with fibromyalgia.  Many factors will enhance the pain in individuals that suffer from this disorder.

Can you imagine going throughout your day with back pain?  Every day thousands of people suffer from the annoying back ache.  Individuals are unproductive and can’t concentrate because of the back pain they are experiencing.  Chiropractic can end your low back pain and get you back to feeling ‘normal’ again.  Chiropractors are highly skilled in relieving back discomfort.  They are able to detect the cause of your pain and stop it at its source without masking it with the use of medications.

Back pain can result from a trauma to the spine, such as a fall, or automobile accident.  However, an individual may experience back pain from simply bending over.  Those slight movements from reaching or bending were merely the catalyst from something else that was brewing .  Some may refer to it as ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’.  If you have been in auto accidents in the past, perhaps falling while rollerblading, fallen from your bike or worse yet a ladder; these activities may be the cause of future back problems.  Those simple activities can cause the bones (vertebrae) of the spine to move out of alignment, a condition that is referred to as a vertebral subluxation.

Vertebral subluxations are what Chiropractors detect and correct.  Vertebral subluxations are dysfunctional areas in the spine where movement is restricted or 2 or more bones are displaced.  This condition leads to back pain, the inability to move and osteoarthritis.  Chiropractors will work to remove the subluxations with gentle and safe maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments.  The chiropractic adjustments will help to restore movement and alignment of the spine.

A common concern from many individuals is the time it will take to get out of pain.  Once you have been diagnosed by the chiropractor, the chiropractor will answer your questions with an honest estimate based on research and clinical experience.  Your worries and concerns are legitimate but rest assured that chiropractic is the fastest and most effective strategy for reducing and ending low back pain.

Chiropractic focuses not only on ending your back pain, but it also helps you achieve optimal health.  The chiropractor will emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle and provide empowering recommendations for controlling your well-being.  Contrary to the belief of many that you must visit a chiropractor forever, the chiropractor may suggest regular preventative care checkups after you recover.  The checkups are designed to keep your spine in alignment much like and oil change for your vehicle.  The oil change will prevent further damage to your vehicle and regular checkups will ensure that you remain pain-free for life.  Isn’t this what we should all strive for?  Chiropractic helps with back pain without the use of medications and keeps the pain away.

An individual who suffers from fibromyalgia experiences pain throughout his/her entire body.  Fibromyalgia affects the muscles, tendons and ligaments therefore with every move the pain is intensified.  Many who suffer from fibromyalgia are prescribed medication for the pain since they can find no other relief.  Many will suffer with the pain because the medical community cannot properly diagnose it or will label the individual and emotionally distressed.

Since the diagnosis is difficult to determine many who suffer from fibromyalgia will encounter painful surgeries and invasive methods in order to find some relief.  However, the symptoms remain and at times the pain is intensified.  It is believed that fibromyalgia may stem from the central nervous system, a system that chiropractic is very familiar with.   The theory behind Chiropractic is that the health of the entire body is controlled by the central nervous system, which may lead many to believe that Chiropractic may be a solution for those who suffer from fibromyalgia.

Some of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia range from trigger points found in the belly of the muscles to pain and stiffness throughout the entire body.  Many will suffer from severe headaches as well as irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, menstrual irregularities, muscle weakness, sleep disorders and ultimately depression.  For a chiropractor to help an individual with this syndrome he must ask many questions.  The job of a chiropractor is to investigate and determine the cause of the pain.  A complete history and physical assessment is performed along with palpation of the muscles in predetermined tender points.  We all have tender muscle points but in a person who suffers from fibromyalgia the tender points will elicit severe pain when minimal pressure is applied.

Chiropractors, after performing an extensive evaluation will adjust the neck and spine.  The adjustments are gentle, short thrusts applied to the spine in order to correct misalignments of the spine. The adjustments will also relieve some of the pain that may be associated with the trigger points and the misalignment.  Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia relieving some of the symptoms the person experiences is essential in the overall picture.  Many fibromyalgia sufferers will experience relief after a chiropractic adjustment that will last longer than the usual medications that are prescribed.

Medications are temporary and usually will have side effects that will intensify the symptoms.  Fibromyalgia patients want relief from the excruciating pain they suffer from on a daily basis.  Many will search for alternative methods such as massage and manipulative therapy.  Since the central nervous is thought to be involved, chiropractic treatment has been found to improve the symptoms and make it bearable for those who suffer from them.

Sciatica is a term that is used to describes the pain that radiates down the back of the leg.  It is the pain that is associated with the irritation of the sciatic nerve.  Many of the cases of sciatica are caused by herniation or bulging of the discs in the lumbar spine.  The discs located between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine.  They are a soft cartilaginous structure that’s main purpose is to provide cushion between the vertebrae.

The disc has an inner portion that has a much higher water content then the outer portion and is therefore softer in consistency.  If the outer portion of the disc weakens or is damaged, the inside portion will move outward and create a bulge or what is technically referred to as a herniated disc.  This herniation narrows the hole where the spinal nerve exits.  This narrowing will then cause irritation, pressure or inflammation of the nerves which then creates symptoms of pain, numbness or weakness down the leg.

Some traditional treatments for sciatica consists of pain medication, injections and in more severe cases surgery.  Although these treatments may offer some relief, the relief is short term.  These traditional treatments may decrease the pain but they also are accompanied with significant risk.  The risk to reward benefits are often not worth the long term effects, since most of these treatments are temporary in nature.

Spinal decompression is a new treatment that has proven to be highly effective and doesn’t have the risk factors associated with the other treatments.  Spinal decompression is a new, advanced form of spinal traction with a patented computer monitoring device.  The device is non-invasive, and uses a gentle force to traction the spine.  This treatment is safe and gentle and has a very high success rate, because it physically treats the cause of sciatica.  The unit gently pulls the spine safely guarding reflex muscle contraction with is associated with traditional traction methods.  Since it bypasses the muscle’s response it allows a therapeutic negative pressure to develop inside the disc space.  This negative pressure draws in nutrition and fluid that is necessary for the disc to heal as well as reduces the herniated or bulging material and relieves the sciatic nerve.

Quite simply spinal decompression is a treatment of choice for those that suffer from sciatic pain and do not want to take medications or worse yet, opt for surgical treatment. This treatment represents a real option for many who suffer from sciatica to truly correct the problem and remain pain free.  Although spinal decompression is not recommended for everyone, many will find long lasting and effective relief from spinal decompression.

Before explaining how chiropractic can help with neuropathy it is best to explain the meaning of neuropathy.  Neuropathy refers to the disorders of the nerves, in particularly the nerves of the peripheral nervous system.  The peripheral nerves carry information to and from the brain and when there is a disorder such as neuropathy; pain is produced as well as loss and the inability to control muscles.

If we break the word neuropathy down it can be explained further.  Peripheral refers to the nerves that go out from the center of the body and are distant from the brain and spinal cord, neuro means nerves and pathy means abnormal.  The symptoms related to peripheral neuropathy vary and usually depend on which type of nerve is affected.  The three main nerve types are the following: sensory (carry sensations), motor (control the muscles) and autonomic (carry information to the organs and glands).  Since neuropathy can affect any one of these nerves or a combination the symptoms can be limited to one nerve or it can affect the whole body.

Some peripheral neuropathy can affect the limbs, torso and/or the face, including:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Itching
• Weakness
• Burning
• Tingling
• Decreased blood pressure
• Muscle Spasms
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Inability to move a part of the body

There are several causes or conditions that can lead to peripheral neuropathy and some may result from unknown reasons.  Some of the peripheral neuropathy causes that are known include:

• Diabetes
• Hereditary diseases
• Liver or Kidney failure
• Cancer
• Autoimmune disorders
• Metabolic disorders
• Alcoholism
• Infections
• Nerve Compression

If the neuropathy is caused by nerve compression or impingement, chiropractic has been shown to help with the symptoms.  Chiropractors will perform thorough neurological examinations to discover the cause and the area of possible nerve impingement.  Chiropractors use specific manipulations called adjustments to remove the nerve impingement called a subluxation.  When the bones are moved through the specific chiropractic adjustments the nerve is released and the messages are allowed to move freely through the respective nerves.  Relief of pain and spasms is experienced after the procedure.  The chiropractor will also recommend specific exercises to reduce spasms and continue the flow to the respect nerves that were previously impinged.  The individual may also have to alter his/her posture or routine in order to relieve the stress placed on those nerves.

Other treatments may also include physical therapy to increase muscle strength and control.  Most importantly it is found that all people can reduce the risk of neuropathy by following a balanced diet, reducing the intake of alcoholic drinks and if history of diabetes is evident, the control of such disease.