CHIROPRACTIC

 The bones of the spine are designed to move in concert with one another.   Each spinal joint must move properly for optimum performance.  Unfortunately they sometimes become stuck, misaligned, don't move enough, or they move too much.  This can be caused by trauma (repetitive motion, car accidents, slips and falls, athletic activity, etc).  It can also by caused by loss of flexibility, muscle deconditioning, and poor posture.  When spinal joints are fixated or misaligned, they force other joints to move too much.  These problems can distort normal spinal curves and compromise proper function.

​How can Chiropractic help?

​A chiropractor (someone who has obtained a Doctorate of Chiropractic, DC through a minimum of 7 years of undergraduate and graduate studies) is the acknowledged, certified and licensed medical specialist in the detection and correction of spinal misalignments.  Through the use of Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT), Chiropractors can restore the normal position and movement of spinal and extremity joints.  If left untreated, spinal misalignments can cause pain, increase the rate of spinal arthritis, predispose you to a sprain/strain injury, and increase the risk of a disc injury.

REHABILITATION

An important part of the recovery process for chronic pain is to strengthen weak or injured muscles that support the affected area.  This helps restore stability, minimize the build up of scar tissue and the development of arthritis, and helps to prevent re-injury of the affected area.

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A majority of non-trauma related injuries are a result of muscle deconditioning, a change in the resting length of muscles due to sitting or leaning over a desk all day, or neurological inhibition of a muscle resulting in improper contraction of that muscle.  Our personalized rehabilitation programs are designed to address all of these issues.  The combination of ART, chiropractic, and corrective exercise will work synergistically to get you better faster and keep you better longer.

PASSIVE MODALITIES

In acute situations, a patient may not be able to tolerate active therapies.  We offer passive modalities like ultrasound, electric stimulation, heat and ice as needed.

HEADACHES & NECK PAIN

Did you know that chiropractic care can help with headaches and neck pain? Headaches and neck pain can be caused by inflammation in the neck and restricted vertebral movement. Since chiropractic care seeks to correct hyper or hypomobility of the vertebrae, it can help reduce the frequency and severity of tension headaches, migraines, neck pain, and stiffness. The good news is that we can help locate the causes of your pain and provide various natural treatment options.

Causes of Headaches and Neck Pain

Headaches and neck pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Inflammation of soft tissues in the neck

• Hypomobile or Hypermobile vertebrae

• Overuse or a repetitive motion injury

• Sprains and strains

• Stress and anxiety

• Text neck

• Whiplash

Symptoms of Headaches and Neck Pain

You may feel a variety of symptoms with your headache and neck pain. The good news is that we can help reduce these symptoms so that you can get back to living your life.

Headache Symptoms

The most common types of headaches are tension headaches and migraines. Depending on the type of headache, you may experience:

• Blurry vision

• Difficulty concentrating

• Dull or sharp aching in the head

• Nausea or upset stomach

• Sensitivity to light and sound

• Stiff or sore neck

Neck Pain Symptoms

Neck pain can occur on its own or in conjunction with a headache. Common symptoms include:

• Dull headache

• Herniated disks in the neck

• Loss of range of motion

• Neck pain

• Tingling down one or both arms

• Upper back pain

Chiropractic Treatments for Headaches and Neck Pain

When you choose Dr. Mahl as your chiropractor, the causes of your headaches and neck pain will be identified via a physical assessment, medical history, and possibly x-ray or MRI. Once we identify the cause of your pain, a custom holistic treatment program will be developed. 

Common chiropractic treatment options often include chiropractic adjustments to the upper back and neck, massage therapy, acupressure, and hot and cold therapy to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. In some instances, corrective exercises may also be recommended to strengthen the muscles of the neck and improve flexibility.

To learn more about how chiropractic care can help with your headache and neck pain, give our office a call at 985.956.7400. 

UPPER BACK PAIN

Acute and chronic upper back pain can make the easiest of tasks hard to perform. Upper back pain is an all too common complaint that can be effectively addressed with chiropractic. Our team applies non-invasive therapeutic treatments to reduce sudden or persistent upper back pain naturally. Understand more about our upper back pain treatments today.

Where Is The Upper Back?

The upper back region extends from below the neck to above the lower back. This region is also known as the thoracic spine. It has a limited range of motion when compared to other areas of the spine due to its attachment to the rib cage.

Upper back pain can occur all of a sudden or be a symptom of a chronic condition. Aside from the discomfort itself, patients often experience a reduced range of motion, stiffness, or muscle spasms.

Causes of Upper Back Pain

Back pain in the thoracic spine and attached musculature can make it difficult to perform routine tasks, or enjoy a restful night of sleep. Conditions that can result in discomfort in this area include:

• Nerve compression

• Bulging or herniated discs

• Soft tissue injury

• Vertebrae injury

• Musculoskeletal strain

This area of the body does a significant amount of physical work. Sudden trauma or injury can lead to inflammation, spinal subluxation, and more. Chronic pain in the area may be from repetitive stress injuries in one or more associated areas. Activities and sudden movements that can end up causing a problem in the upper back region include:

• Poor posture

• Whiplash

• Frequent texting and computer use

• Overuse

• Contact sports

Understand more about how chiropractic and associated therapies can speed up the healing process.

How Chiropractic Can Treat the Upper Back

When upper back pain does not resolve quickly, chiropractic may help. An individualized treatment program may include chiropractic care, physical therapy, or trigger point therapy, and can be effective in correcting spinal imbalances, improving mobility, and naturally reducing pain. Such treatments can restore the natural motion of the thoracic spine, reduce tension in any affected musculature, and support the body’s healing process.

Experience Upper Back Pain Relief

We are dedicated to finding and treating the cause of upper back pain in patients. Contact Health Resource at 985.956.7400 to book an initial consultation and learn more about non-invasive treatment options today.

SHOULDER AND CLAVICLE

Shoulder and clavicle pain can be experienced by people of all ages. Your chiropractor can treat shoulder and clavicle pain using a variety of methods. If you or a loved one suffers from either shoulder or clavicle pain or discomfort, read on to learn more.

What is the Shoulder and Clavicle Region?

You probably already know what the shoulder region is, but you may not know that the clavicle region is interconnected with the function and location of the shoulder. The clavicle consists of a slender, long bone that runs horizontally between the tops of your two shoulders. Interestingly, the clavicle is the only bone that runs horizontally of its length. The other long bones run vertically, in your legs and arms. The clavicle is commonly referred to as the collarbone because it runs directly beneath where your shirt collar would be.

Why is There Pain in the Shoulder and Clavicle Region?

It’s quite common to experience shoulder and or clavicle pain. Even though the clavicle isn’t a “moving” bone, exterior pressure and weight can bear on this bone and cause discomfort. In addition, pain from one or both shoulders can radiate to the clavicle. Shoulder pain is even more common. Because the shoulder joint is so complex as well as so often used, pain in this area usually occurs to almost everyone at least once.

Common Causes of Shoulder and Clavicle Pain

Some of the most common causes of shoulder and or clavicle pain include:

• Stress fracture, from too much weight or pressure on the clavicle. Even the tiniest stress fracture can cause immense pain.

• Osteoarthritis, where the protective cartilage around the clavicle or shoulder has worn down.

• Bruising, where force trauma has occurred and bruised the bone, possibly from an accident such as a vehicle accident.

• Poor sleep posture, in which case your chiropractor can recommend a sleep posture that won’t negatively affect the shoulder or clavicle region.

• Osteomyelitis, which is a bone infection commonly spread through the blood.

Your Chiropractor Can Treat Shoulder and Clavicle Pain

We are ready to offer a variety of non-invasive treatment options to alleviate pain and discomfort. Chiropractic treatment for shoulder and clavicle pain is a proven and effective method that has been used for many decades. If you or a loved one are experiencing shoulder and or clavicle pain, please contact us at 985.956.7400.

MID BACK PAIN

Are you regularly suffering from middle back pain below your neck and above the bottom of your rib cage? Referred to as the thoracic spine, this is one of the most common areas to experience chronic pain and a common reason why patients seek treatment with a chiropractor. Here is what you need to know.

Common Symptoms of Middle Back Pain

The thoracic spine or middle back is composed of twelve bones called the T1 to T12 vertebrae. In between these bones is what’s called disks. The job of this part of your body is to protect the spinal cord, and there are numerous muscles and nerves that can become injured or irritated in this region.

So, how do you know you’re experiencing middle back pain? The most common symptoms include muscle stiffness, sharp pain, sudden achiness, or a burning sensation. In minor cases, you might feel a dull pain that never quite fully goes away.

Causes of Middle Back Pain

There are numerous causes for pain in the thoracic spine. For example, chronic middle back pain can be caused by something as simple as sleeping wrong or poor posture. Those who are overweight or live a sedentary lifestyle also seem to experience it more.

But the problem could also be something more serious, too. Herniated disks, osteoarthritis, and joint fractures can all cause middle back pain. Severe injuries like falls, car accidents, sports injuries, and more can also be the culprit of severe thoracic spine pain.

Treatment of Middle Back Pain

So, how is middle back pain treated? Visiting your chiropractor is generally the first step in achieving relief. An individualized treatment program may include chiropractic care, physical therapy, or trigger point therapy, and can be effective in correcting spinal imbalances, improving mobility, and naturally reducing pain. Such treatments can restore the natural motion of the thoracic spine, reduce tension in any affected musculature, and support the body’s healing process.

In the case of degenerative disk disease or arthritis, there will be evidence on the scans and an appropriate course of treatment is prescribed. If it is simply muscular, your chiropractor will perform a manual adjustment and recommend special stretching exercises to improve posture, heat, or ice therapy at home, along with other treatments.

Find Relief from Middle Back Pain

Experiencing chronic middle back pain can be disruptive to your entire life. However, the good news is that there is a solution. Let our team help you find relief and get back to doing the things you love most. Please contact us today at 985.956.7400 to schedule an appointment.

LOWER BACK PAIN

Struggling With Lower Back Pain? Chiropractic Care Can Help

When you consider that 80 percent of Americans have had (or will have) trouble with back pain, you can understand why this painful symptom accounts for some 264 million lost workdays each year. When you suffer from agonizing pain toward the base of your spine, you can't do physical labor or even manage many sedentary office tasks, much less enjoy a comfortable productive home life. The good news is that you don't have to let lower back pain keep you down, nor do you need surgery or painkiller to stop it. Natural treatment can help you conquer your lower back pain.

Why Do People Suffer From Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain is practically inevitable at some point or another. The lower back supports the entire upper half of the body, which represents a considerable weight. An acute injury can tear back muscles, dislodge vertebrae, or herniate discs in the lower back. Constant or repetitive strain from a musculoskeletal imbalance or poor posture can lead to chronic lower back strain.

Chronic lower back pain often stems from natural changes in your physique. For instance, as you get older, your spinal discs can start to flatten and bulge, straining vertebral joints, and pinching major nerve roots. (In the lower spine, pinched sciatic nerve tissue can cause leg pain as well as lower back pain.) Spinal arthritis is another cause of age-related lower back pain.

Chiropractic Adjustments for Lower Back Pain: Procedures and Benefits

A skilled chiropractor can often save lower back pain sufferers from surgery or other extreme measures. Your doctor can identify any spinal alignment issues that might be causing or worsening your symptoms. Gentle, precise applications of force, either manually or through the use of instruments, can shift spinal components back into their proper position, releasing compressed nerves and taking the unnecessary strain off of muscles.

Chiropractors sometimes prescribe other forms of non-invasive treatment to enhance the effectiveness of these lower back adjustments. For example, you may receive a comprehensive treatment plan that includes some combination of chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, massage, and lifestyle recommendations to help you strengthen your lower back, improve your flexibility, and minimize the risk of future back problems.

Are you ready to learn more about non-surgical lower back pain solutions? ContactHealth Resource at 985.956.7400

ELBOW, HAND AND WRIST PAIN

Pain in the elbow, hand, and wrist can be sharp and acute or dull and chronic. Often, it can impair a person’s ability to perform activities like driving, cooking, or writing. When the pain persists, a visit to a medical professional may become necessary.

Chiropractic is a non-invasive approach, supporting the body’s healing process. Our team offers tailored treatment programs to reduce discomfort, and improve range of motion in the elbow, hand, and wrist. 

What Causes Elbow, Hand, and Wrist Pain?

The elbow is a frequently used joint. Pain in this area is often a result of overuse. Repetitive stress injuries like tennis elbow result from injury to surrounding elbow tendons due to repeated movements. Such pain may also be due to sprains, arthritis, or bursitis.

The structure of the hand is complex. People that tend to clench or grip a lot can develop trigger finger. This condition may be painful. With trigger finger, there is inflammation of the tendon sheath of the first finger. Those who do not seek treatment may see their finger assume a bent position. Hand pain may also result from entrapped nerves, a sprain, or arthritis.

One leading cause of wrist pain is carpal tunnel syndrome. In such an instance, the carpal tunnel narrows, placing extra pressure on the highly-specialized median nerve. People who develop this condition can experience tingling, numbness, or pain. This feeling may not only be felt at the wrist, but also along the first two fingers, thumb, and forearm. Discomfort in this area may also be from pinched nerves, a strain or sprain, or arthritis.

Chiropractic Treatment for Elbow, Hand, and Wrist Pain

Every case is unique, and symptoms may present differently with elbow, hand, and wrist pain. Chiropractic and physical therapy can be used in a treatment program for carpal tunnel, trigger finger, and tennis elbow. Treatment is tailored to the needs of each patient after a thorough assessment. Chiropractic treatment has been known to reduce inflammation, improve nerve function, and increase mobility for those experiencing pain in the elbow, hand, and wrist.

Natural Pain Relief

Our team works with patients to treat the root cause of elbow, hand, or wrist pain. Speak with our experienced chiropractic team at 985.956.7400 to better understand our range of therapeutic treatment options today.

KNEE, ANKLE, & FOOT PAIN

Pain in the knee, ankle, and foot can be sharp and acute or dull and chronic. Often, it can impair a person’s ability to perform activities like driving, walking, or sports. When the pain persists, a visit to a medical professional may become necessary.

Chiropractic is a non-invasive approach, supporting the body’s healing process. Our team offers tailored treatment programs to reduce discomfort, and improve range of motion in the elbow, hand, and wrist. 

What Causes Knee, Ankle, And Foot Pain?

The knee is a frequently used joint. Pain in this area is often a result of overuse or sudden start/stop activities. Such pain may be due to sprains, arthritis, or bursitis.

Ankle and Foot Pain can be a complex problem brought on by overuse, imbalance, or traumatic injury. 

Chiropractic Treatment for Knee, Ankle, And Foot Pain

Every case is unique, and symptoms may present differently. Chiropractic and physical therapy can be used in a treatment program for ankle and foot pain. Treatment is tailored to the needs of each patient after a thorough assessment. Chiropractic treatment has been known to reduce inflammation, improve nerve function, and increase mobility for those experiencing pain in the knee, ankle, and foot pain.

Natural Pain Relief

Our team works with patients to treat the root cause of your pain. Speak with our experienced chiropractic team at 985.956.7400 to better understand our range of therapeutic treatment options today.