Is it safe to receive chiropractic treatment once you have already had a spinal surgery or fusion?

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YES ! It is indicated!!

Of course, there is always a time and place for spinal surgery,a threshold point where this becomes absolutely necessary- one would be ignorant to think not. This is usually in the presence of PROGRESSIVE neurological fallout(progressive weakness etc) not just for discomfort and pain.

Unfortunately however, surgical procedures and fusions in particular are carried out way too prematurely often without patients even having a conservative trial of treatment. It is a flaw in our medical system. Statistically some South African cities are amongst the highest spinally operated cities in the world per capita!

Where properly indicated, most spinal surgeries are successful, however, not failsafe. All too often in practice we see patients still experiencing the same or similar symptoms post surgery. That is often because the pain may have been CAUSED by dysfunction somewhere else. Referred pains, biomechanical inequalities (such as leg length discrepancies)or muscle imbalances are among a host of influencing factors here. If these are not properly addressed the stress will logically just be transferred to the next compensating spinal level, often leading to future adjacent surgeries and fusions-a story we’ve all heard before!

When a joint is fused, it can no longer function- it’s movement distribution and shock absorptive capabilities are nullified. Think of twisting a chain with a fused link- immediately the adjacent levels directly above and below the fused level are forced to do more, eventually becoming looser pivotal or weak spots. The same is applicable to the spine with the adjacent, compensating levels to the fusion becoming hypermobile (too much movement) pivot points. With all the movement happening at these pivot points, movement is stolen from the even higher and lower areas -which tend to become tight, blocked and dysfunctional as they are not being used properly. This puts even MORE stress back on the weak pivot points to compensate further! THANKFULLY CHIROPRACTIC ADRESSES THIS VERY BIOMECHANICAL IMBALANCE.

By keeping the GREATER AREA above and below the fusion (and of course the
entire spine) moving normally Chiropractic can help to prevent the development of these compensatory hypermobile pivot points. Your Chiropractor will apply very specific mobilization /manipulation to the tight, blocked, dysfunctional levels and apply muscle strengthening techniques to stabilize over the compensatory weak spots/pivot points. This ensures good, EVENLY DISTRIBUTED MOVEMENT at all levels.MOST IMPORTANTLY your Chiropractor will also address the aforementioned ROOT CAUSE of the problem by correcting structural imbalances(orthotics for leg length discrepancies etc) strength balancing, postural rehabilitation etc.

So as explained above-even though Chiropractic prides itself as being the primary conservative intervention for spinal pain and dysfunction, it still has a massive role to play post surgery! Remember we’ve got your back- post surgery too! Written by Dr. Etienne Greyling

Are you drinking enough water daily?

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Here are the benefits of doing so with special reference to the neuromusculoskeletal system.

With the earth consisting of 70 percent water and our bodies being 60 percent water it is easy to appreciate why water is so vital to life and the normal functioning thereof.

For the sake of this article, we will firstly consider the better known benefits of being properly hydrated, then consider the benefits on the neuromusculoskeletal (nerve, muscle, skeleton) system from a Chiropractic perspective!

THE BENEFITS OF STAYING PROPERLY HYDRATED INCLUDES THE MAINTAINING OF NORMAL FUNCTION IN ALL ORGANS!

BEING PROPERLY HYDRATED:

•Provides moisture to the skin and mucous membranes of the body, providing elasticity and lubrication to tissues. (including the lungs, helping prevent a host of respiratory disorders.)

•Attains and sustains normal blood volume and pressure, assisting in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

•Assists in maintaining the correct viscosity of blood ensuring healthy blood cells and immune system.

•Maintains normal lymph flow and drainage.

•Maintains normal digestive system functioning by balancing ph levels thus preventing ulcers, constipation, and other GIT disorders.

•It Provides a massive cleansing effect on the ‘detoxyfing organs’ especially the kidneys and liver preventing failure and disease.

THE BENEFITS OF STAYING PROPERLY HYDRATED ON THE NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM INCLUDE:

•Providing hydration to the joint cartilage (which is 60 percent water) preventing degeneration.

•Maintaining the synovial fluid volume in joints- which is literally the ‘oil’ to the joint which provides lubrication and nutrition to the cartilage.

•Maintaining bone density by assisting in the calcium uptake process preventing osteoporosis.

•Maintaining the hydration of your spinal discs thus maintaining their shock absorptive capacity and preventing disc degeneration.

•Maintaining normal muscle function by ensuring proper muscle cell firing and function-assisting in quicker recovery rate after injury/training.

•Maintaining normal neuro-transmission between the nerves throughout the body especially the brain.

•Maintaining optimal levels of endorphins and serotonin in the nervous system which helps break down chronic pain and depression pathways.

•Maintaining the cerebrospinal fluid volume which flows around the brain and spinal cord providing them with protection and nutrition.

•Assisting massively in weight loss by affecting hormonal systems and the perceptions of hunger -with weight reduction reducing stress on the joints.

MEDICALLY THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IS THAT AN AVERAGE OF 2 LITRES OF WATER THROUGHOUT THE DAY IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN NORMAL BODILY FUNCTION.

Please note that coffee, tea, fruit juices, and soft drinks DO NOT constitute water! They are packed with caffeine and sugars which act as a diuretic, actually dehydrating you!

Please also note that these are all LONG TERM BENEFITS of drinking enough water, flirting with this idea temporarily will achieve nothing. IT IS A CONSCIOUS LIFESTYLE CHANGE! Initially your body may even ‘object’ with a feeling of bloatedness, but persist a few days-once all the correct systems in your body and brain kick into normal function , YOU WILL BE CRAVING WATER.

Hopefully this has increased your awareness that the effects of drinking enough water are as far reaching as the neuromusculoskeletal system,and are even relevant in chronic pain and degenerative conditions. So here’s to H20, stay hydrated and remember, we’ve got your body and your back!

How Chiropractic can help heal your jaw pain!

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Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome accounts for a large percentage of facial, temporal, and even ear pain.
The typical symptom characterizing TMJ syndrome is pain in the TMJ joint and surrounding muscles which is often aggravated by chewing. Patients may also experience a limitation in movement when opening the mouth or a clicking or locking sensation when doing so.

The TMJ joint connects the mandible(jawbone) to the skull. It is a sliding hinge joint which is dependant on a small intra-articular disc for its normal gliding motion. Occasionally this small disc may displace slightly resulting in painful locking or clicking symptoms. Wear and tear on the disc may also result from repetitive clenching or grinding of the teeth. The pain arises from direct irritation to the disc and the resultant muscle spasm of the jaw muscles (pterygoid, temporalis and masseter muscles especially).

Treatment is aimed at relieving tension on the joint (and disc) and surrounding jaw muscles by balancing the TMJ biomechanics (movement pattern). This is done by performing specific joint mobilization and muscle release techniques. These include TMJ mobilization/manipulation and myofascial trigger point therapy to the related muscles. Chiropractors will also treat the upper cervical spine which can influence the nerve supply the TMJ( via reflex mechanisms). Stretching and strengthening(balancing) exercises are also advised.

The most important consideration in treating TMJ syndrome is to address the cause of the problem. This can include direct trauma(as in boxing), various arthritides, muscle imbalance due to incorrect eating habits, grinding of the teeth whilst sleeping and habitual clenching of the jaw. Often releasing the tension on the TMJ and cognitive relaxation techniques with exercise can stop the teeth clenching and grinding habits.

Your Chiropractor will advise you if further medical/dental intervention is necessary, namely bite plates, arthritic medication or infiltrations etc-firstly however, always explore the more conservative avenues namely CHIROPRACTIC! Remember, we’ve got your back!

Articles written by Dr.Etienne Greyling

Has your tennis elbow not responded to conventional therapy or rest?

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Could it be that you are not addressing the root cause of the problem? A Chiropractic approach could be the answer!

Lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow is characterized by pain on the outside of the elbow which is typically reproduced by wrist flexion/extension whilst clenching the fist. It is a tendinitis of the extensor muscle attachment at the elbow which progresses to a tendinosis( degenerative) in more chronic cases. It is typically a repetitive overuse injury but can result from actions as innocuous as using your computers’ mouse excessively or even a bump to the elbow.

Lateral epicondylitis is a very slow healing injury which is why most treatments are centered around increasing blood flow to the area, namely with massage/cross friction/laser therapy/IFC/dry needling. In severe cases, even radiotherapy and blood infiltrations into the area are performed. But none of these treatments are sustainable without treating what is causing the problem, it will simply return on further usage-THIS IS WHERE CHIROPRACTIC COMES TO THE FORE!

Chiropractors will use the above mentioned modalities where necessary and obviously treat the painful part aswell. HOWEVER, Chiropractors recognize lateral epicondylits as being the weak spot, a symptom of what is going on around it. They will assess and treat the entire kinetic(movement) chain of the arm, which include all joints and muscles affecting the elbow. Full elbow range of motion includes a complex combination of moments which include the shoulder, elbow proper,radio-ulnar and wrist articulations. For example- to achieve full elbow extension, a degree of shoulder external rotation is necessary/to achieve full internal or external rotation at the elbow, full internal and external rotation at the wrist is vital. A loss of movement at ANY of the above articulations will DIRECTLY affect the elbow biomechanics, which WILL NOT HEAL properly/sustainably until the arm’s kinetic chain is fully corrected-THANKFULLY THIS IS CHIROPRACTORS’ SPECIALITY!

Your Chiropractor will also treat the thoracic and cervical spine which provides the nerve supply to the elbow -and correct any muscle imbalances which may be contributing to/causing the problem (in particular the strength ratio between the flexors and extensors of the wrist and elbow.)

Most importantly to prevent any future relapse, is to isolate and correct any incorrect actions. These may include poor sporting techniques or repetitive motion activities which may have caused/aggravated the problem in the first place.

This holistic approach gives Chiropractic a good success rate in the treatment of tennis elbow. Hopefully, this has given you a SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE to conventional treatment and remember, we’ve got your back! (and your elbow)

Statistically up to a quarter of all headaches are termed cervicogenic (from the neck) in origin.

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When considering how many variables are involved in causing headaches and with such a high incidence being cervicogenic, the neck should be one of the first variables to eliminate! Your Chiropractor will always first rule out any more serious causes such as blood pressure, infection and nervous system disorders before proceeding with treatment.

When considering the anatomy of the cervical spine and the sub-occipital triangle in particular it becomes obvious why so many headaches originate from the neck.

The greater and lesser occipital nerves originate between the C1/C2 vertebrae. They then course upwards onto the back of the head and behind the temporal(temple) areas. Any joint dysfunction between the occiput (skull)/C1/C2/C3 vertebrae will cause spasm and atrophy of the suboccipital muscles and reflex irritation to the nerve roots, radiating pain into the head. The pain is very often further reaching than this direct nerve distribution and can refer to the temporal(temple), frontal(forehead) and orbital(eye) areas too. The mechanism responsible for this pain referral occurs due to a merger between the spinal nerves from C1/2/3 and a branch of the trigeminal nerve. Via this merger in the trigeminocervical nucleus of the upper spinal cord-cervicogenic pain can travel in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve to the above mentioned regions of the face.

According to The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, cervicogenic headaches are characterized by palpable upper cervical joint dysfunction and suboccipital tenderness. This may also manifest as a limited range of motion which can be measured by objective orthopedic testing. As anyone can appreciate, there is no magic pill that can correct the above mentioned dysfunction-and as per explanations in drchiro’s previous blogs this is EXACTLY what Chiropractors specialize in treating!

Your Chiropractor will go about a process of treating THE CAUSE of the dysfunction. This will include postural correction, trigger point release with strengthening of weak cervical muscles, corrective mobilization and manipulation of the dysfunctional vertebrae -thus NORMALIZING THE CERVICAL SPINE BIOMECHANICS.

So if conventional treatment is not helping or your headache symptoms keep returning please consider the above. Headaches are one of the most common problems seen in Chiropractors’ rooms, with such a high rate of incidence being cervicogenic in origin- shouldn’t Chiropractic be one of your first points of call? And remember we got your back!