Patient Spotlight: Young Mom Gets Her Life Back with Chiropractic Care

Patient Spotlight: Young Mom Gets Her Life Back with Chiropractic Care

Mom of four kids, Ashli, was taking care of her baby one morning, bent over, and heard something in her neck crack. She was in a lot of pain and remembered seeing something about a chiropractor in her church’s bulletin so thought, why not, I’ll call him. 

That decision was the turning point in getting her body back to doing what it was supposed to do so she could enjoy life with children. 

The Prognosis

Like all new patients, Ashli had an extensive intake with Dr. Lewis, which included x-rays and a consultation on the findings of the (painless) tests. 

It turned out that Ashli had 7 subluxations (these cause inflammation) in her spine and her hips were completely misaligned, which made the rest of her body overcompensate for the imbalance. 

“I wasn’t having a lot of pain because I had lived with it for so long and my body had compensated for the imbalances for years,” she said.

That had led to Ashli not being able to do a squat without falling over. Additionally, she has scoliosis, which had hindered her spine health for years. She knew most of this going in to see Dr. Lewis, except the information about the subluxations, but like many women, just had dealt with the pain and aches for years. 

The Greenville Spine Institute Difference

The way that Dr. Lewis and his team at Greenville Spine handle new patients and the beginning of Chiropractic Care treatment made a world of difference to Ashli. She had been to another chiropractor in the Greenville area who had helped her with some pregnancy pain but did not have a long term plan in place for her to reach the goals she had.

“Dr Lewis’ treatment plan wasn’t just a snap-you-up-and-send-you-home kind of thing,” said Ashli. 

Ashli majored in biology at Clemson University so her appreciation for Dr. Lewis’ extensive knowledge and explanation of the functions of the body and what he was planning to do was immensely helpful. 

“What got me about Dr. Lewis was the way he explained things to me,” said Ashli. “I loved that he spoke in terms I understood, that he used scientific language to tell me what was going on in my body and was pragmatic. I also really liked the physical therapy part of the treatment – the exercises at home and the ice bed at the office.” 

When it came to discussing treatment options, she appreciated Dr. Lewis’ individualized plan for her. She knew she would also have to put in the work and wasn’t afraid to do her part to make the plan a success. 

The Results of Chiropractic Care a Year Later 

In the course of only a few months, from August – November, Ashli went from 7 subluxations down to just 1. Today, it’s been a year since she first walked into Dr. Lewis’ office and her life has totally changed.

Ashli said she has so much more range of motion in her neck, back, shoulders, and hips. And one side effect she wasn’t expecting even happened. 

“My clothes even fit better because my hips were rotated and one hip was higher than the other,” said Ashli. “The same thing was happening with my shoulders.”

Since her spine was aligned, the way she holds her head was also drastically different, as she stood straighter and put less pressure on her neck and shoulders. 

But the biggest difference she has noticed is that now she’s able to play with her kids, to run around with them at the park, to go to the gym and get in a good workout and not fall over trying to do squats. 

“I can do all the things I haven’t been able to do since college,” Ashli said. “Dr. Lewis has changed my life.”

Ready for your Chiropractic Care transformation story? 

If you’re ready to take that next step in addressing long term back pain, healing your immediate aches and pains, or just maintaining your overall health, give us a call at Greenville Spine. We would be more than happy to sit down with you and discuss treatment options. Call us at (864) 631-1420 and let’s get you started on accomplishing all your health goals.

What are the Common Causes for Shoulder Pain?

What are the Common Causes for Shoulder Pain?

Basics of Shoulder Anatomy

The shoulder is one of the most complex joints in the human body consisting of four different joints that are surrounded by complex muscles, bursas, joint capsules, and nerve endings. Due to its complex nature, there are many reasons why one may feel many forms of shoulder pain such as discomfort, numbness, weakness, or decreased range of motion in their shoulder.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain could be a result of certain conditions such as dyskinesia of the shoulder, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear or tendonitis, subacromial bursitis, frozen shoulder, bicipital tendonitis, rheumatoid Arthritis, shoulder impingement, shoulder dislocation, labral tears, and many more. Depending on your age, sex, occupation, social, or family history, you may be more at risk for suffering from one of the aforementioned shoulder conditions. In fact, approximately 18 million Americans suffer from shoulder pain each year. If you or someone you know is suffering from shoulder pain, the best course of action to find a resolution to one’s problem would be to get it thoroughly assessed by a professional.

Getting Diagnosed

What many people don’t know is that one of those professionals they can seek care from is a Chiropractor. A Chiropractor is highly skilled in the anatomy and physiology of the soft tissue surrounding the joint such as muscles, joints, ligaments, and also the nerves which control the shoulder. But what would a Chiropractor be looking for when assessing a shoulder?

Shoulder Pain Being Diagnosed by Doctor

Collecting Patient History

Due to the complexity of the shoulder girdle and the multitude of conditions that can occur in the shoulder, a thorough assessment is crucial in diagnosing what is causing one’s shoulder pain. However, first, a history must be taken to determine what has caused the shoulder pain whether it was caused by a previous trauma, overuse, or an insidious onset. If a trauma has occurred, such as a fall on an outstretched hand, or blow to the back of the shoulder, a rotator cuff tear, ligamentous instability, or fracture may be suspected. In order to diagnose a rotator cuff tear or instability, a physical examination and orthopedic testing would be done to the shoulder to determine if an MRI is necessary to further diagnose the severity of the condition.

Your Greenville Chiropractor would also refer a patient to a trusted orthopedic specialist and physical therapy for rehabilitation of the shoulder. The medical team would work in partnership for the patient’s best outcome. If a fracture is suspected, additional orthopedic tests can be performed along with an X-ray to finalize whether a fracture is present. Similar to a rotator cuff tear, the patient would be referred to an orthopedic specialist to further assess the patient’s complaint.

XRAY of Shoulder to Help Diagnose Shoulder Pain

Identifying the Source of Joint Pain

Once a tear, instability, or fracture is ruled out, further orthopedic testing can be done to determine whether the pain is coming from an osseous misalignment or soft tissue. Soft tissue problems that can commonly occur are conditions such as adhesive capsulitis (aka frozen shoulder) which presents as pain and severely decreased range of motion, bicipital tendonitis which would cause pain in the anterior portion of the shoulder, subacromial bursitis which would cause pin-point pain at the superior aspect of the shoulder, or impingement whose pain varies in location depending on the type of impingement occurring. For each soft tissue condition, conservative care is recommended for the treatment which can be done in the office and at home after a proper examination is performed and a specific care plan is made for you.

Correcting Misalignment is Critical to Avoiding Soft Tissue Damage

If it is found during the physical and orthopedic examination that a person’s shoulder pain is a result of an osseous misalignment of the shoulder girdle that could be treated by chiropractic care, then a specific care plan would be created for the patient to return the bones to their normal alignment and stabilize the area of concern. There are multiple ways that the shoulder could misalign because there are four different joints that make up the shoulder girdle, with the scapula, humerus, and clavicle making up those joints. Misalignment of the shoulder can occur from falls, poor posture, overuse, etc. It is important to have normal alignment of the shoulder because the shoulder is solely held together by soft tissue such as muscle and ligaments, therefore, when the shoulder misaligns, the muscles and ligaments will become distorted which will lead to them being more prone to injury and tearing. Therefore, it is imperative to make sure that the shoulder girdle is aligned to prevent future avoidable injury.

Where Pain is Felt vs Where it Originates May Be Different

In addition to having the shoulder girdle thoroughly assessed, it is important to also assess the cervical spine for injury or degeneration due to the fact that the nerves that exit from the cervical spine directly innervate the shoulder. If a nerve is compressed upon, a person can experience pain that radiates from the neck into the shoulder and down the arm. If the nerve pressure is not addressed, the nerve will, unfortunately, begin to degenerate which will lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of sensation in the area. It is crucial to have your spine checked for nerve pressure as soon as symptoms arise to prevent the nerve from degenerating.

The most efficient way to get rid of your shoulder pain is to get a thorough examination done to locate the root cause of your problem. A Chiropractor is highly trained in assessing both the shoulder girdle and cervical spine to help find the root cause of your problem so that you can return to living your life free of pain and restriction. In our office, an in-depth case history will be taken to assess when the issue began, any injuries or overuse that may have damaged the area, and how it is affecting your life. A 36-point examination will then be performed which includes physical, neurological, and orthopedic tests to determine what may be causing your problem. Lastly, if deemed necessary, an X-ray will be taken to further assess the area. If it is found that you may need further care that we cannot render in our office, we ensure that we will send you to the facility that can care for you.

Our goal is to help you feel liberated from pain and restriction so that you can live your life in the best way possible. Don’t let shoulder pain steal another second of joy from your life! Schedule a FREE consultation online or by phone at 1 (864) 631-1420.

McGrew, Chris, and Andrew Ashbaugh. Checklist for Physical Examination of the Shoulder.

McHugh, Brian MD. “Common Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease.” Spine, 2017

Miniato, Mohammed A. “Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Shoulder.” StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 31 July 2020

Shoulder Anatomy.” Kent Orthopaedic Practice

Souza, Thomas A. Differential Diagnosis and Management for the Chiropractor. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2018.

What You Need to Know About Your Lower Back Pain

What You Need to Know About Your Lower Back Pain

Freedom From Lower Back Pain is Possible

Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints among adults in the US with 80% of individuals experiencing lower back pain at some point in their lives. However, most of those people who suffer from back pain will continue to live their lives merely dealing with their pain instead of finding a solution. Contrary to popular belief, lower back pain is not a normal part of aging and you do not have to live your life in pain. It is possible to live a pain-free life!

The secret to living a pain-free life is finding the root cause of your pain. A few common causes of lower back pain include vertebral subluxations, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, facet syndrome, postural syndrome, and disc lesions. These conditions can be either localized or radiating pain, discomfort, stiffness, numbness, or paresthesia. In rare cases, the cause of one’s back pain may be caused by a more sinister condition such as infection or cancer. Even though those problems may sound frightening, if you determine the root cause of your lower back pain and act to resolve your problem, you don’t have anything to worry about.

But where does one start to find the root cause?

Chiropractors Can Find the Root Cause of Your Pain

Chiropractors are highly trained to find the root cause of what could be causing your lower back pain. Chiropractors undergo over 5,000 hours of schooling to be well versed in diagnosis and treatment recommendations. The first thing a chiropractor will do is perform a thorough consultation to investigate what is occurring. Next, the chiropractor will then perform an examination that includes physical, neurological, and orthopedic testing to further evaluate the root cause of your problem. If necessary, the doctor will perform X-rays of the spine to continue their assessment. The doctor will then evaluate the results and will either construct a customized care plan catered to your specific condition or refer you to a general physician or specialist if additional testing is required.

The Most Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

Two common issues seen in chiropractic offices are vertebral subluxations and degenerative joint disease (DJD), also known as Osteoarthritis. Vertebral subluxations occur when forces enter your spine and misalign your vertebra in which they become stuck. When they become stuck, they lose their proper movement and begin to degenerate leading to degenerative joint disease. DJD is a condition in which the protective cartilage that surrounds the bone and the disc begins to break down. Symptoms of DJD include local or radiating pain, stiffness, lack of flexibility, swelling, and more.

Chiropractic care is great for treating both conditions due to the fact that the chiropractor’s job is to return normal motion to the spine. Chiropractors meticulously analyze the spine to find areas of dysfunction and lack of motion and apply gentle and safe adjustments to the area to return to normal function. When the normal function is restored, the damage process to the cartilage and disc is stopped and healing begins. However, the healing does not stop at the adjustments alone, there is supplemental work that you have to do as an individual to protect your body from future damage.

Other Ways to Relieve Lower Back Pain

In addition to getting your problem assessed and fixed, it is important to do supplemental work at home to prevent further injury. If you are having an acute episode of low back pain, icing the area for 20-minute intervals will help pull swelling and edema from the area to reduce your pain and stop the damage process. Heat should never be used on an acute injury.

Additionally, walking helps keep your spine moving and also pumps swelling and edema out of your spine. Practicing proper posture while driving and sitting is crucial to protecting your spine. Sitting and standing in the upright position and avoiding slouching will help prevent stress on your spine by keeping it in its normal positioning. You can help prevent slouching while sitting by placing a pillow or rolled towel on your lower back to help your spine remain in its normal positioning. Though this work will help prevent further injury, it is important to get your low back pain assessed to ensure that you are resolving the root cause of your pain.

Low back pain, though it is common, it is not normal. It is crucial to find the root cause of your low back pain so that you can live your best life free of pain. Consult your nearest chiropractor to find the key to your new pain-free life!

Give our office a call at 1 (864) 631-1420 to schedule a FREE consultation or visit our website at Greenvillespine.com

Nall, Rachel. “Lower Back Pain: Causes, Treatment, and When to See a Doctor.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 4 June 2019, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325381.

“Osteoarthritis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 22 Feb. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925.

“Your Back Pain May Be Osteoarthritis: UPMC Pinnacle.” UPMC HealthBeat, 18 Dec. 2020, www.pinnaclehealth.org/wellness-library/blog-and-healthwise/blog-home/post/your-back-pain-may-be-osteoarthritis.

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), also known as Osteoarthritis, is a condition in which the protective cartilage that surrounds the bone begins to break down. DJD can affect any joint in the body but commonly affects weight bearing joints such as your knees, hips, and spine. Symptoms include local and/or radiating pain, stiffness, lack of flexibility, swelling, and more. You are at risk of suffering from DJD if you suffered a trauma to the area, are diagnosed with a metabolic condition, are overweight, a smoker, or have a family history of Osteoarthritis.

Unfortunately, DJD is a condition that can gradually worsen over time if not treated. Fortunately, DJD is a common condition helped by chiropractic. The reasoning behind this is due to the fact that chiropractors induce motion and restore the joints back to their normal positioning to help relieve excess stress that was being placed onto the joints. Removal of excess stress helps the joints function at their optimum.

How does a chiropractor know what is the best course of treatment? To begin care, it is important to take a thorough history of the person’s previous health history to see what may be the cause of their problem and help navigate the best course of action. Next, a thorough examination is done that includes neurological, orthopedic and physical examinations to find the root cause of the problem. An important part of the examination, if deemed clinically necessary, would be to take X-rays of the spine or affected joints. This is important in helping find the root cause because DJD will show up on an x-ray with decreased joint space and jagged edges around the bones called bone spurs. Having the information given from the x-ray would be crucial in helping determine the best plan of care for you. Lastly, using all of the information gained, the doctor can provide a specific plan of care to help relieve the stress placed on the joints and help prevent further damage.

If left untreated, the condition will continue to worsen, creating additional problems such as ligamentous instability, an increase in pain and stiffness, radiating pain, and decreased flexibility. In severe cases, surgery may be the most appropriate course of action. More than 54 million people in the United States suffer from DJD, but you don’t have to be one of them! Our goal is to help you live your best life free from pain and suffering!

Give our office a call at

1 (864) 631-1420

to schedule a FREE consultation

or visit our website at

Greenvillespine.com

Reference:

https://www.pinnaclehealth.org/wellness-library/blog-and-healthwise/blog-home/post/your-back-pain-may-be-osteoarthritis

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, CTS, is a compression of the median nerve that runs under the transverse carpal ligament in the wrist. CTS is characterized by pain, numbness, and tingling that occur in the wrist, thumb and index fingers. Individuals may also experience weakness in the hand and difficulty gripping objects. There are many causes of CTS such as pregnancy, diabetes, and RA, but the most common cause is due to prolonged flexion or extension of the wrist. This commonly affects people whose work requires highly repetitive or forceful work.

There are many ways to help relieve pain caused by CTS. The most common being myofascial release, using wrist supports, B6 supplementation, surgery, and chiropractic care. Chiropractors can help by adjusting the bones in the wrist located near the Carpal Tunnel. By realigning the bones, it creates more room in the Carpal Tunnel for the median nerve to run through, relieving the pressure on the nerve.

In order for a chiropractor to best treat you, a thorough case history must be performed to evaluate your previous health history. The doctor must also perform a thorough examination that includes physical, neurological, and orthopedic examinations to find the root cause of your problem. Lastly, a treatment plan would be made specifically for you if a problem is found that we can help you with.

Give our office a call at

1 (864) 631-1420

to schedule a FREE consultation

or visit our website at

Greenvillespine.com

Reference:

Souza

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Natural Ways to Find Relief for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the wrist and hands. It can cause pain and numbness which makes work difficult. You probably know someone who has undergone surgery to “correct” carpal tunnel, only to see the pain return shortly after. What you probably don’t know is that up to 75% of people who have surgery for the carpal tunnel will have the pain return within two years! Surgery focuses on releasing the pressure on the median nerve, but what about all of those years of repetitive motion and stress on your elbow, shoulder, and neck? The long-term stress on all of these structures needs to be addressed as well to find lasting relief from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Why it Matters:

Many people with carpal tunnel syndrome spend hours performing a repetitive motion with their arms and hands. This also places a tremendous amount of stress on the muscles and tissues of your neck. New research has shown an extremely high correlation between wrist pain and restricted range of motion in the neck. Interestingly, more significant pain in the wrist led to a more substantial restriction in the neck. By establishing an improved range of motion in your neck, you can make a huge impact on pain in your wrist and hand!

– Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs due to compression of the median nerve in the wrist.

– Surgery is not very effective at providing long-term relief.

– Your neck, shoulder, and elbow all can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Next Steps:

While many doctors focus on treating the median nerve, our practice will address the entire spectrum of issues which can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. By establishing a better range of motion in your wrist, elbow, shoulder, and neck, you will be free to move through your day with less pain. Reducing the inflammation in your soft tissues and strengthening your postural muscles will also help you find long-term relief. If you work in an office, let us know! We would love to present a complimentary workshop in your office to help both you and your teammates find relief (or avoid!) carpal tunnel syndrome. Additionally, you can schedule an appointment by clicking here.

Science Source:

Revision Surgery for Persistent and Rcarpal Tunnel Syndrome and for Failed Carpal Tunnel Release. Plast Reconstr Sure. 2012 Chiropractic Manipulation in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. JMPT 1994