A pinched nerve can cause a lot of pain and yet most of us are unaware as to how this starts. Simply stated, a pinched nerve is a medical term for an impaired function of a nerve that is under a lot of pressure. Anyone who has experienced this knows that it can be quite painful and sometimes debilitating.

Pinched nerves develop when one or more nerves become constricted or compressed by muscle, a bone, tendon, or cartilage. How this comes about is often by poor posture, overdoing physical activity, obesity, or if there is a genetic predisposition. This condition happens to nerves that control muscle movements or to nerves that relay sensations to the brain.

What Exactly Are Nerves?

A nerve is a microscopic cell that has bundles of fibres running throughout the body transmitting impulses of sensation to the spinal cord or brain. Some of these are several feet in length. A nerve cell that is in the spinal cord or in the brain is known as a central nerve; and nerves that originate in the spine that extend to the arms or legs are called peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves are 'packages' of millions of nerve fibres that leave the spinal cord and branch out to their target muscles to help make them move. These nerve fibres also extend to the skin to provide us with the ability to feel.

The Onset of a Pinched Nerve

Symptoms of a pinched nerve may begin with numbness, tingling, burning sensation or shooting pains down the buttocks, legs, or in the neck, shoulders, arms and fingers.

Sometimes the sensations (or pain) you feel are is nowhere near the point of pressure. A pinched nerve in the lower back may originate in the calf. If there is constant pressure then the pain may increase. The person afflicted with this may experience a loss of movement, reflexes, and atrophy in the muscles. Once the pressure is relieved then the pain diminishes.

Many people tend to associate pinched nerves with the neck yet it is most common in the lower area of the back. A trained health professional can follow the pain to determine the origin.

Pinched nerves in the lower back can inhibit a person from participating in sports and even from walking, standing, twisting or lifting something.

If there is a pinched nerve in the neck then the pain will shoot down the arm. Pinched nerves in the neck are generally the result of repeatedly bending the neck but sometimes they can happen due to an impact. When there is a pinched nerve in the neck sometimes the pain can be so horrific that it limits neck motion. Sometimes this is brief and other times it can last quite some time. In severe situations a person can lose their reflex and muscle atrophy sets it.

Some people describe a pinched nerve in the neck as though it is ‘shooting lightning’.

Pinched Nerve Treatments

If you rarely experience a pinched nerve then this is something you need not worry about. However, if this occurs on a somewhat frequent basis then it’s advisable to seek treatment.

There are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs available on the market such as ibuprofen or aspirin but these are designed to mask the pain, not treat the source of the problem.  Some doctors may even say that surgery is required and if this happens to you be sure to get a second and a third opinion. Surgery is not only invasive it involves being right near the spinal cord. Many patients who have taken this route discover that surgery may only relieve pain for a period of time and it re-occurs if the overall structure of the spine is not corrected.

The chiropractic treatment methods do not cover up the pain or the symptoms; it treats damaged areas so that there is complete healing. Often this may include a scan of your spine and central nervous system using the most up-to-date technology available. This helps to target the exact location of the pinched nerve(s). No two individuals are alike so an individualized treatment plan is required in order to receive maximum results.

Often there will be proper chiropractic adjustments required to help relieve the pressure. Since daily activities are sometimes the cause of pinched nerves to begin with the treatment will include ‘the whole picture’. This means putting a plan in place to avoid the activities that cause the problem as well as looking at your diet. Good quality food is the fuel your body needs to help recover and regain good health.

If you have suffered with pinched nerves and want to explore a holistic approach to treatment that works then Chiro-Med Rehab Clinic can help you. Their staff is fully qualified professionals who have the know-how and the experience to help you.

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a walk-in clinic conveniently located at 10144 Yonge Street, just north of Major MacKenzie Drive in the heart of Richmond Hill. Call 905-918-0419 for more information or to book a consultation.

Hip health is something most people never give a thought to until trouble starts. This is a computer-driven world in which far too many of us are spending an inordinate amount of time on a daily basis just sitting. We sit in our cars, sit at work or school, sit watching programs on television or the computer, and we generally sit when socializing.

According to Harvard Health, spending too many hours sitting is hazardous to our health. Apart from the possibility of it being detrimental to our hip health, habitual inactivity increases risks for cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and deep-vein thrombosis. Even the National Health Services in the UK claim that there are studies linking excessive sitting with type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and early death.

Hip Flexor Strain

There is a major muscle group located in the front of the hip that helps us to flex or bend our hips; these are known as the hip flexors. These muscles allow the movement of bringing the thighs toward the chest. The main muscles groups are the tensor fascia latae, quadriceps, psoas major, and the psoas minor. These muscles are essential for powerful leg movements and strength for everyday movement. They are intricately attached to the lower spine, the pelvis, the hips and even the rib cage. So, if there is any hip flexor strain it can cause problems throughout the body.

Hip Flexor Strain and Sitting

The human body tends to adapt to the positions in which we put them in the most. It is suspected that many, if not most people spend twelve hours a day in a sitting position; and this places the hip flexors in a position that is not ideal. While sitting, the hip flexors are in a "shortened position". Basically, this means, in the sitting position, the muscles are pulled in together for most of the day. With too many hours spent sitting, these muscles will start to adapt to that position. Over time, this leaves a person feeling stiff and sometimes sore when standing up. Even if it is not apparent that one of the reasons for stiffness after sitting is the hips, these muscles are certainly playing a significant role. Stiff muscles can easily lead to strained muscles. A strain due to overstretch will be more common for “chronic” sitters since the hips will be stiff and resistant to stretch.

Sit enough and tightness will become the norm for the hip flexors, which could end up in a hip flexor strain. When these muscles are strained it can easily affect the whole body due to their role in core control and balance. Basic activities including walking, getting up and down from chairs, in and out of the car, and even the way you sleep will be affected. When these muscles are strained the two biggest complaints tend to be muscle cramping in the hip flexor muscles themselves and low back pain.

Hip Flexor Strain

Whether the hip flexors are strained or just stiff, they have the tendency to hold the pelvis in a forward position. This causes the back to arch and the entire pelvis to tilt forward. Once this occurs then it may feel as though you are stuck in this position. Once this position becomes the norm, it may feel like you get a charlie horse in the front of your hips even with simple movements due to the position you are "stuck" in. Any movements that specifically involve these muscles may become quite painful.

Solutions

Given the amount of available research, breaking up long blocks of sitting to flex these muscles is very important. Building more activity into every day is critical no matter at home or at the office.

• If need be, set a timer to remind yourself to get up and move around every so often (every thirty minutes is optimum).
• Take phone calls standing up.
• Get an adjustable standing desk for your computer.
• At home, do not sit in a chair or on the sofa while watching television, sit on a stability ball, which makes you use muscles to stay upright.
• If it is possible, get a treadmill and watch your favourite shows as you walk.
• Make sure you have a good exercise routine to promote tissue extensibility throughout the body to prevent strain in the hips and throughout the body.

Movement Suggestions

These are some easy stretches you can do throughout the day regardless of whether you are at work or home. Repeat them as often as you feel comfortable. The more often you are able to do these, the better the results.

Standing next to a wall for support, stand on one leg and swing the other leg forwards and backwards to obtain as much range of motion as you can (do this 12 times). Then move your leg up to the side and across in front of your other leg 12 times. This will be more difficult and the range will be much smaller. Repeat for the other leg. If doing this 12 times to too stressful, start doing these 5 or 6 times – whatever you can manage – then work up to 12 times.

Sitting at your chair, lift one leg up and put it over the other leg so your ankle rests on top of the knee of the opposite leg. Then simply bend forward at the waist until you feel a strong pull through the glut muscles. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat for the other leg. You will notice one leg stiffer than the other. This is likely an indication of a structural shift in your body that has developed over years.

Next, stand up facing your chair about 3 feet away from it. Step up onto the chair with one leg and do a deep lunge forward until you feel a deep pull in the back leg. Make sure you keep your back upright and your core muscles flexed and tight. Hold 10 seconds and repeat for the other leg.

If you are experiencing hip stiffness, discomfort or pain chiropractic and physiotherapy care can help.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behalf Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a proven record of commitment providing quality health care services in the Greater Toronto Area. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can provide the services you need. Chiro-Med has clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.

Tension headaches are one of the most common forms of headaches. Other forms of headaches include migraines, sinus headaches and cluster headaches, but tension headaches seem to be the one type of headache that most people experience. In fact, the World Health Organization recently stated that about half of all adults suffer from headache disorders, including tension headaches.

Canada.com quoted Dr. Shekhar Saxena, WHO's director of mental health and substance abuse disorders on June 20, 2011, "Headache and migraine disorders are greatly underrated and underreported by health systems and receive too little attention." This news story goes on to say that headache disorders (including tension headaches) have a ripple effect. There are huge economic and societal costs that result from time off work.

What Is A Tension Headache?

More often than not, a tension headache is a mild to moderate pain that can be best described as having a tight rubber band squeezing the head. It may also sometimes feel as though the muscles in the head are contracting. Tension headaches are not just restricted to the head because some individuals feel discomfort or pain in the neck or on the scalp.

This headache-type occurs at any age but they are most common in adults.

If a tension headache occurs two or more times with a week and persists for several weeks, then this condition is referred to as being chronic. Sometimes a primary headache can be over-treated therefore a person who is regularly on pain medication for more than three days a week can develop rebound headaches.

Tension Headache Causes

Causes of tension headaches are often when the muscles on the neck and scalp contract – and this is tension. These contractions can be a natural response to various stimuli such as: stress, anxiety, depression or a head injury. In addition, if you engage in an activity that demands your head to be in one position for any length of time without moving it, this can cause a tension headache. Other causes include if you slept in the wrong position or sleeping in a room that's too cold.

According to the National Institutes of Health there are also triggers that can start a tension headache. Some of these triggers include:

• Colds/flu
• Dental problems such as teeth grinding
• Eye strain
• Too much smoking
• Alcohol use
• Excessive caffeine intake
• Nasal congestion/sinus infection
• Fatigue
• Overexertion

Tension Headache Symptoms

Tension headache pain does not throb and it is not a sharp pain. It's pressure with a dull-like pain. There are other symptoms such as the feeling of a tight rubber band on the head and the pressure/pain is felt all over, not isolated in one place. These sensations can be felt on the scalp, at the temples, back of the neck and possibly in the shoulders.

These symptoms may be an isolated event or they may be frequent. The pain may even get worse if triggered by stress, noise, glare or fatigue.

Nausea or vomiting is very rarely associated with this type of headache and sleeping may be very difficult if suffering from a tension headache.

Treatment Options

You can often spot a person who is at the onset or experiencing a tension headache because you see them massaging their temples, neck or scalp. If you find yourself trying to massage yourself and it is not working, then profession massage therapy is a viable treatment option. Massage therapy in Richmond Hill at Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has helped many patients get rid of tension headaches and has worked as a preventative measure.

Other treatments for milder forms of tension headaches include a hot or cold shower or taking an over- the-counter painkiller.

For those who suffer from tension headaches regularly, they may want to examine their lifestyle. If there is an activity that triggers these headaches, implementing some stress-management techniques can help minimize or eliminate these headaches and can have positive outcomes.

If a tension headache occurs often, seek professional help. Should any headache affect your ability to see or speak then call 911 right away. No one needs to suffer with ongoing headaches when treatment options such as massage therapy are available.

Massage therapy has an extensive history in many cultures worldwide. Today, people have the opportunity to experience massage therapy for relaxation and for health-related purposes. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill offers massage therapy for their patients to help relieve pain, swelling as well as to rehabilitate and improve physical function.

A therapeutic massage has countless benefits that greatly improve the condition of many different
ailments. Sometimes a therapeutic massage includes deep tissue massaging and this occurs when the registered massage therapist applies firm pressure to the muscles using fingertips, hands, elbows, knuckles, and even forearms, in order to stimulate muscle and body tissue.

MASSAGE THERAPY BENEFITS

Chronic Pain Reduction:
If you suffer from chronic discomfort such as muscle inflammation, a bad back, neck pain, headaches or even arthritis, massage therapy can help alleviate some, if not all of the pain. For some clients, deep tissue massages have proven to be highly effective and in some cases, better than daily medications. Medications tend to mask the real problem; they were not formulated to cure the health ailment.

Massage therapy increases blood flow, so it reduces inflammation in affected areas. Firm pressure eases pain and alleviates tension, loosens tightness as well as the buildup of lactic acid that can cause pain. When maintained on a regular basis, massage therapy can be a great alternative for an individual who is not interested in prescription drugs.

Stress Relief:
Another benefit of massage therapy, and specifically, deep tissue massage, is stress relief. A firm yet forceful pressure applied to the body relaxes and can eliminate tension. Not only are muscles being worked but the increased blood flow flushes out toxins and helps to put the body and the mind in a relaxed state.

A registered massage therapist concentrates on massaging various trigger points that are commonly known to hold stress. By working out the muscles, the body relaxes with greater ease. If you are an individual who maintains a chaotic schedule then massage therapy may be what you need at least monthly, in order to keep stress at bay.

Increased Blood Flow:
One of the best benefits of a deep tissue massage is the increased blood flow it causes. Due to the direct pressure that massage therapists apply, blood circulation is increased throughout the body. As a result, this increased blood flow boosts oxygen to all of the tissues in the body. More oxygen circulating in the blood means that toxins are removed at a higher rate and added oxygen can provide more energy and it aids in fighting free radicals.

Lower Blood Pressure:
A beneficial side effect of eliminating tension and stress involves reducing blood pressure. As the registered massage therapist applies pressure he or she will reduce muscle tightness, and this can have a beneficial effect on blood pressure, especially for those prone to high blood pressure.

Experiencing true stress relief has been proven to promote more serotonin production in the body. Serotonin is a hormone that is responsible for making a person feel happy.

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill uses massage therapy to also help with:

• Maintenance care
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Pain or tingling into arms or legs
• Postural issues
• Pregnancy massage
• Prenatal pain
• Postnatal pain
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Sports injuries
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Lymphatic drainage

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has registered massage therapists who ensure all clients are treated as individuals. After all, no two people are the same, nor should a massage therapy treatment be a carbon copy for everyone. Chiro-Med registered massage therapists truly care about every individual's needs - and it shows.

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone and is in use when walking, running, and jumping. Athletes and runners in particular tend to be those who suffer the most with Achilles tendonitis and it is the bane of many runners. Although this tendon can withstand great stresses it is also prone to tendinitis, a condition associated with degeneration and overuse.

Historically, the Achilles tendon is known as an area prone to disabling injury. Named after Achilles, who according to myth, was protected from wounds. As a baby, his mother dipped him in a special pond by holding onto his heel, which was not immersed; and later in life Achilles died by an arrow wound in his heel. Interestingly, injuries to this part of the body have obviously been around for thousands of years; however, it was only first reported in medical literature 400 years ago.

What Is Achilles Tendonitis?

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body stretching from the heel to the calf muscles. From the exterior it feels like a springy band of tissue at the back of the ankle, above the heel. This tendon joins three muscles: the soleus and the two heads of the gastrocnemius. The gastrocnemius muscle crosses over three joints: the knee, the ankle, and the subtalar joint. The soleus is the powerful muscle in the back part of the lower leg; it reaches from just below the knee to the Achilles tendon.

There is not a rich blood supply to this tendon; there are a small number of blood vessels throughout its length which suggests the poor vascularity can be an issue when trying to repair the tissue following trauma.

Achilles Tendonitis

There are two types of Achilles tendonitis: insertional and noninsertional. Insertional Achilles tendonitis affects the lower portion of your tendon where it attaches to the heel bone. Noninsertional Achilles tendonitis involves fibers in the mid-portion of the tendon and usually affects active, younger people.

There are several factors that can contribute to Achilles tendonitis. Here are a few factors:

• Excessive hill running,
• Improper placement of the foot while exercising or while engaged in a sports activity,
• Sudden increases in training, or exertion in activity involving the tendon,
• Not properly stretching the tendon before, during and after physical activity, and
• Tightness of the posterior muscles in the calf that was not stretched out prior to physical activity.

Shoe design may prolong Achilles tendonitis because of excessive heel cushioning. Some people self-treat and purchase gel or air-filled heels and these are not good for a sore Achilles tendon. If you are wearing a shoe designed to provide heel shock absorption what frequently happens is that after heel contact, the heel continues to sink lower while the shoe is absorbing the shock. This further stretches the Achilles tendon.

Achilles Tendonitis Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

• Pain and stiffness along the tendon in the morning,
• Pain along the tendon or back of the heel that worsens with activity,
• Severe pain the day after exercising, and
• Swelling.

If you have experienced a sudden "pop" in the back of your calf or heel, you may have torn your Achilles tendon. If this has occurred it is important to help right away.

Treatment

The good news is that there are many nonsurgical treatment options that will work for most patients. Depending on the severity of the injury it may take a few months for symptoms to completely subside. Also, depending on how soon you seek help after getting Achilles tendonitis will determine the length of treatment required.

Some basic tips to follow for alleviating pain at home include:

Rest. Greatly decreasing or even stopping the activities that make the pain worse is a must. If you regularly partake in high-impact exercises then switch over to low-impact activities, this will put less stress on the Achilles tendon. Biking and swimming are low-impact options to help you stay active.

Ice. Placing ice on the most painful area of the tendon is helpful and can be repeated as needed throughout the day. This can be done up to 20 minutes each session so long as the skin does not get numb.

Exercise. There are some incredible exercises that can help to strengthen the calf muscles and reduce stress on the Achilles tendon. A qualified health professional can show you what specific exercises are best for your particular situation.

At home methods may provide some relief but there is not a doubt that seeking qualified professional help is best in order to heal properly.

For more information about Achilles tendonitis and how chiropractic and physiotherapy can help you, please give Chiro-Med a call. Established in 2007 by Dr. Behfar Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has been committed to providing quality health care services to the Greater Toronto Area for a decade. We have clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket; call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.

Richmond Hill massage therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic treatments can do more than just relieve pain; these therapies are some of the best methods of promoting overall good health, no matter what your current state of health is. Quite often, people do not seek therapy until they suffer an injury or an illness, but the truth is that we usually need treatment of some sort long before we begin to feel sore, sick or fatigued. Natural therapies such as acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic care can actually prevent disease before it begins, and keep you feeling younger and more energetic.

Chiropractic care is not just for back injuries, although it can provide great relief in those cases as well. A chiropractor can make adjustments to your spine that can improve circulation and digestion as well as relieve tension and increase energy levels. By visiting a Richmond Hill chiropractor on a regular basis, you can maintain your spinal health and mobility, preventing pain before it starts. Keeping the spine in alignment helps to keep the rest of the body in balance and functioning properly.

Massage therapy can benefit all parts of the body, inside and out. Increased circulation to the skin and other organs keeps them functioning properly, preventing disease and keeping you looking and feeling young and energetic. Richmond Hill massage therapy professionals know how to provide treatment in the areas that will benefit each client according to their individual needs.

The ancient art of acupuncture is a method of healing practiced by Chinese doctors for centuries, and it has gained wide acceptance in the rest of the world because of overwhelming evidence that it really works. Richmond Hill acupuncture treatments are effective in the control of pain, addictions and eating disorders, and much, much more.

Sleep, we all need it; without proper sleep health ailments start to make their way into our life and they can cause havoc.

There have been a myriad of studies done over recent years and they all seem to echo the same results. Many people sleep less than six hours at night and about three quarters of us experience some difficulties getting a good night’s sleep more than twice a week. A short bout of insomnia may not be much to worry about but it can lead to chronic sleep loss which not only can weaken the immune system but it can cause very serious issues.

Let’s look at some of the risks to our health if we don’t sleep well:

• Safety reasons: If you do not get sufficient sleep then you place yourself at risk for work-related injuries and road accidents.
• Mood: Without a good night’s sleep a person can feel very irritable or impatient the next day. Being able to concentrate on tasks becomes a challenge deepening the negative emotional state.
• Learning and memory: Students and those in careers in which learning is part of the day then the more tired you are due to the lack of sleep the more you’ll struggle.
• Cardiovascular heath: Those with serious sleep disorders are at very high risk of hypertension, irregular heartbeat and increased stress hormones.
• Disease: The more sleep we lose the weaker the immune system therefore making us more vulnerable to developing diseases.
• Weight gain: Those with chronic sleep deprivation can gain weight because the body’s ability to process and store carbohydrates alter.

Now let’s examine some of the benefits to having regular sleep:

• Our body replenishes: Sleep is when our body goes into repair mode. Cells produce more protein which is used in repairing damage when we sleep. Muscle injuries and other trauma heals faster while we are asleep.
• Decreases depression: Without adequate sleep our body is not able to properly regulate serotonin levels. When our serotonin levels are where they should be we feel happy and we’re more productive.
• Reduces chronic inflammation: Some studies suggest that there is an association with chronic inflammation disorders and the increase of stress hormones caused by the lack of sleep. Some of these chronic inflammation disorders include atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, heart conditions and cancer.
• Reduces stress: When we lack sleep our body enters a state of stress. Blood pressure increases which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Proper sleeping can break the cycle of stress and counteract the effects of stress.
• Keeps our heart healthy: If we get 7-9 hours of sleep a night this significantly reduces the risk for heart disease and strokes.

Causes of Sleeping Poorly; There truly are so many causes of poor sleep that they all can’t be listed here. Let’s look at some of the more common culprits. They include:

• Poor mattress and/or pillow
• Too much caffeine intake
• Snacking before bed
• Too much alcohol
• Too much stimulation (i.e. the television or computer)
• Smoking cigarettes (especially within 30 minutes of going to bed)
• Stress (relationships with loved ones, work problems, financial problems)
• An injury or health ailment

There may be other factors at play in which chiropractic care can help. Some studies indicate that there is an increase in levels of cortisol (stress hormone) when the body’s circadian rhythms are disturbed. When these levels remain high for a prolonged period of time, bone density reduces as well as the muscle mass. The immune system weakens, fat accumulates in the abdomen area and it impacts the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Yes, there are a variety of over-the-counter medications that make claims about helping you get a good sleep but in all honesty even if you find one that actually works, this is not the solution. Pills can cause side effects not to mention they do not treat the underlying problem. To have a proper sleep you need to treat the actual cause and this is where a chiropractor can help.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care and wellness adjustments will help you get the sleep you need. This type of treatment improves the blood flow in the nervous system and it corrects any misalignments or subluxations in the spine.

Subluxations compress the nerves causing the lack of communication between the spine and the brain. This can lead to stress response which puts the body out of balance and sleeping well becomes challenging.  This can be easily treated with chiropractic care.

Regular chiropractic care can solve several problems that may be the cause of sleepless nights such as back pain, breathing problems, and restless leg syndrome. Many people are thrilled with how well their sleep has improved after getting regular wellness adjustments. Regular chiropractic care can improve the symptoms and conditions of insomnia patients and helps them sleep better thus improving the quality of their day to day life.

Chiropractic care isn’t just for adults suffering with sleep disorders; children can also greatly benefit from chiropractic treatment.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behfar Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has been committed to providing quality health care services to the Greater Toronto Area for over half a decade. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can help you come up with a personalized plan to ensure the long term health of your bones, skeletal system and over all well-being. We have clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit us for more information.

Back, neck and sciatica pain can range from a mild nuisance to excruciating pain. According to the Canadian Chiropractic Association, about 4 million Canadians (15 percent of the population) seek the services of a chiropractor every year.

The back is a marvelous mechanical system that contains a complex group of muscles and the spine. The spine consists of 24 vertebrae (small bones) that are stacked on top of one another and together, they are referred to as the vertebral column. In between each of the vertebrae is a gel-like cushion that absorbs pressure and prevents the bones from touching one another; this cushion is called the disc. Ligaments hold the vertebrae together and tendons connect muscles to the vertebral column. Inside the spinal column is a massive collection of nerve fibres transmitting electrical information throughout the entire body. This mechanical system is so complex that when pain strikes, it can detract you from enjoying your day-to-day activities.

What Is Spinal Decompression Therapy?

If you ever get a chance to go to a local park and find a set of high monkey bars, hang from them; the feeling on the back is almost euphoric. Spinal decompression therapy mimics that feeling by providing a mild linear pull on the body. This gentle pull that spinal decompression therapy provides can assist a misaligned disc to be gently manipulated back into place thereby creating adequate space between the vertebrae and when this occurs, higher levels of oxygen and blood will return to the area providing relief. In addition, any pressure on the spinal nerves will be alleviated.

There are several back conditions that can be treated using spinal decompression therapy. People with lumbar strains, sciatic, herniated discs, bulging discs, degenerative discs, degenerative joint disease, and spinal arthritis have all experienced relief through spinal decompression therapy.

To better illustrate what spinal decompression "looks" like, think of the all the vertebrae as Lego® blocks loosely placed one on top of another. Compression of the spine (which occurs through poor posture, daily wear and tear, degenerating discs or injury) is the pushing of the Lego® blocks tightly together, and for the spine, this is not good.

Spinal decompression therapy is painless and each treatment lasts about 20 to 30 minutes.

Spinal Decompression Therapy Research

In a 2003 Orthopedic Technology Review spinal decompression therapy was studied. Patients who suffered at least four weeks of herniated discs or degenerative disc diseases were treated. The results were astounding – 86 percent of those treated reported immediate symptom relief and after the completion of treatment, 90 days later, they were still pain-free.

Are You A Candidate For Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is generally only one part of a complete treatment plan. There are other therapies a healthcare provider may recommend to help expedite the healing process. If you are want a non-invasive way to combat back problems and are considering spinal decompression therapy, the fully qualified health professionals at Chiro-Med Rehab Centre are only too pleased to answer any questions you may have. Put an end to back pain and call Chiro-Med Rehab Centre today. Start your road to recovery by booking your appointment today.