- Auto Accidents & Whiplash
- Work Injuries
- Neck and Back Pain
- Headaches & Migraines
- Disc Injuries
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Radiating Pain/Numbness in Hands/Arm/Leg/Feet
- Loss of Motion/Flexibility
Auto Accidents & Whiplash
Whiplash is term used to describe an injury to the cervical spine and soft tissues (specifically ligaments, muscles, and tendons). It is caused by an abnormal motion or force applied to your neck and/or head that stretches your spinal joints and soft tissues beyond the necks normal range of motion. It is frequently the result of a car accident, but contrary to popular belief, the speed of impact or damage to your vehicle does not determine the severity of a whiplash injury. Even slowly moving vehicles can cause intense whiplash injuries, it is always a good idea to be checked out by a chiropractor to determine the extent of your injuries. In addition to car accidents other common causes include contact sports injuries, a blow to the head (like from an object falling onto you), or physical assaults.
Whiplash Symptoms
These signs and symptoms may occur immediately or even days/weeks after the initial injury.
- Neck pain
- Tenderness along the back of your neck
- Muscle spasms (in the side or back of your neck)
- Upper back pain
- Stabbing pain in your shoulder blades or surrounding area
- Difficulty moving your neck around
- Headaches
- Low back pain/stiffness
- Pain shooting from your neck into either shoulder or arm
Work Injuries
Workplace injuries don’t only occur during traumatic slips and falls at work but are more often than not, the result of repetitive movements, and caused by doing the physical demands required of your job over an extended period of time. These types of workplace injuries are all too common in today’s workforce and are best identified by their symptoms.
- Lower back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Carpal tunnel and hand pain
- Disc injuries
- Sciatica (pain caused by the sciatic nerve in your lower back and legs)
- Joint pain
Being examined by a chiropractor is often the first step in identifying and treating a workplace injury through non-invasive care which is why Wolf Chiropractic Center conducts thorough examinations during his first session with new patients in order to better assess their injury. Since workplace injuries usually develop over time, it’s important to share all the symptoms you may be experiencing so we can identify the root cause.
Neck & Back Pain
Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, making it essential to understand how to prevent it. Maintaining a healthy diet and weight, staying active, and avoiding prolonged inactivity or bed rest are key strategies. It’s also important to warm up or stretch before exercising or engaging in physical activities.
The neck, or cervical spine, is a crucial part of the spine that starts at the base of the skull and consists of seven small vertebrae. It supports the full weight of the head, which typically weighs around 12 pounds. While its flexibility allows for a wide range of motion, this also makes the neck highly prone to pain and injury.
Headaches & Migraines
Nine out of ten Americans say that they suffer from headaches. Some of these people experience headaches frequently. Some experience constant headaches that are very painful. These can even make a person nauseous. Ninety-five percent of headaches are tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused from a disease, but from something in your body that is not sitting correctly.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is when natural changes in the discs of your spine cause pain. The discs between vertebrae act as shock absorbers for your spine, and as you age, they begin to lose flexibility. While this is a normal part of aging, it should not cause pain. If you experience pain due to this, it is classified as degenerative disc disease.
Each disc is composed of a sturdy outer wall and a soft, gel-like inner core. When we are born, these discs are primarily composed of water, but as age advances, the discs lose some of this water content and begin to get thinner. As you might imagine, this means each disc doesn’t absorb the shocks of everyday life as well.
Arthritis
Arthritis, or joint pain or joint disease, is the leading cause of disability in America. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children are suffering from some type of arthritis. Common symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to perform normal day-to-day activities, and has the potential to cause permanent joint damage.
To determine whether or not you may be suffering from arthritis or to determine the severity, your medical professional will perform blood tests and conduct an imaging scan (ie: x-ray, CAT scan or MRI). Eating healthy, staying active, and understanding your type of arthritis and treatment options are crucial to decreasing your discomfort and paving the way for an enjoyable, happy life.
Sciatica
Sciatica is characterized by pain in the lower back that radiates down one or both legs. The pain is described as dull, achy, sharp, like “pins and needles” or similar to electric shocks. Other symptoms associated with sciatica include burning, numbness and tingling sensations. Sciatic nerve pain varies in intensity from mild to severe, and frequency may range from occasional to constant. The onset is generally gradual and not necessarily associated with a previous event. Sciatica is also known as radiating or referred pain, neuropathy, or neuralgia.