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Different Imaging Technologies

Different Imaging Technologies

The imaging services sector is among the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. It was estimated at approximately 134 billion dollars in 2020. Ideally, most people prefer medical imaging since it remains a fast and safe way to obtain vital medical information. Whether you require interventional radiology or diagnostic radiology, radiologists will use various medical imaging techniques for accurate imaging results.

Different Types of Imaging Technologies

Medical imaging has revolutionized diagnostic and intervention treatment due to the presence of interfacial intelligence in radiology. Imaging technologies include imaging modalities such as MRI, X-ray, and CT scan that promote timely diagnosis for different health conditions. Here is a list of the top imaging technologies radiologists use to obtain accurate images:

X-rays Imaging Technology

This medical imaging technique utilizes electromagnetic waves to capture images of the hard tissues. This common form of radiology is useful in fracture diagnosis or bone tumors. When a person enters the X-ray machine, a radiologist exposes their body to high energy light radiation that remains invisible. As the light passes through the target region, hard tissues such as bones absorb most waves. The X-ray machine transfers images of the film for interpretation.

When do you Use X-ray Imaging Technology?

  • An x-ray scan helps orthodontists and dentists to inspect your teeth.
  • Radiologists recommend X-ray scans to diagnose bone tumors.
  • X-ray scans are common in guiding surgeons in detecting broken bones and guiding operations.

Computerized Tomography (CT)

Unlike an X-ray machine, the CT scanner uses additional software to create 3D images of internal structures. It picks subtle body parts that remain invisible in X-rays.

What Are Some Common Uses of CT Scans?

  • Radiologists use CT imaging technology to locate soft tissue tumors and estimate their size.
  • CT’s scans are also essential in monitoring progress on developing conditions such as tumors and cancers.
  • CT scans can be used in diagnosing broken bones from landscaping activities.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology (MRI)

An MRI uses both radio frequency (RF) and magnetic waves to create images of the internal body structures. MRI imaging technology produces high-quality cross-sectional images for radiographers to differentiate various tissues. A patient lies in a long tube with magnetic fields. However, doctors also recommend open MRIs for claustrophobic patients.

What Are Some Common Uses of MRI Imaging Technology?

  • MRI scans provide a more detailed image of internal body parts such as blood vessels and the brain.
  • MRIs are essential in diagnosing or monitoring health conditions and preparing treatment plans by doctors or chiropractors.

Nuclear Medicine Imaging Technology (Positron Emission Tomography)

Radiologists use radioactive tracers to detects irregular body tissues. A PET scan is often preferred because it creates a 3D image of the internal body organs. When focused on specific body parts and combined with MRI and CT scans, PET scans provide an accurate diagnosis.

Common Uses of PET

  • They are used to monitor the progression of health conditions such as cancer.
  • Radiologists use PET to diagnose dementia.
  • Doctors use PET to plan surgeries.

Ultrasound (Sonography)

Medical practitioners utilize high-frequency sound waves to create images of soft tissue, organs, and muscles.

Uses of ultrasound Scans

  • Doctors use an ultrasound scan to monitor the progress of unborn babies.
  • Medical practitioners use ultrasound scans to plans and guide surgeons during surgery.

Expert Imaging in Mill Creek, Washington

You can not proceed with your daily activities if you suffer from internal pain caused by medical conditions or injuries. Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness’s talented staff provide you with preventive care or a treatment plan.

 Schedule an appointment with us and learn more about different imaging technologies to help you detect health conditions early with accuracy. Also, call us at 1(425)-737-5343 for high-quality services.

 

The Benefits of Chiropractic After Back Surgery

The Benefits of Chiropractic After Back Surgery

 

Did you recently have back surgery? If so, then you are in good company. It’s estimated that 500,000 Americans underwent surgery last year to treat back pain.

Your doctor may have recommended going to the chiropractor to help you with your treatments. Learn more here on the benefits of chiropractic after your back surgery. They might help speed up your recovery time and help you return to good health.

What Does “Chiropractic” Mean?

“Chiropractic” is short for chiropractic care. Chiropractic addresses disorders in the patient’s nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Some common conditions that chiropractic address include headaches, neck pain, and joint pains in the arms or legs. They’ll also treat back pain unless spinal surgery is warranted.

Chiropractors receive training in medical schools accredited through the US Department of Education. Chiropractors treat each patient with an approach that’s called holistic treatment.

A holistic treatment approach aligns treatment plans with the patient’s desires, needs and preferences. This approach also centers around the patient’s general sense of wellbeing. The chiropractor won’t only focus on fix the immediate problem that hurts the patient now.

Chiropractic For Post Back Surgery Treatment

Even though many patients see a reduction in pain when their surgery is over, some may still experience ongoing pain. When this happens, chiropractic can help relieve pain with effective chiropractic adjustments. These chiropractic adjustments include what’s called spinal manipulation.

What’s Spinal Manipulation?

When chiropractors apply direct pressure to different areas of their patient’s back, they’re using spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation is a modality that pushes the spine back into the right position.

This kind of applied pressure is effective for post-surgical spinal treatment. It not only provides relief to back pain but also improves back posture and strength as well.

A chiropractic care session usually lasts between 10-30 minutes. When a chiropractic session starts, the patient can stop the treatment if they’re experiencing pain. Minor adjustments can usually solve these temporary flashes of pain.

Benefits of Chiropractic

You’ll find many noticeable benefits to undergoing post-back surgery chiropractic. These benefits include:

No Medications

Many post-surgery treatments need a patient to consume many medications to control lingering pain during recovery. Chiropractic involves manipulating your body’s natural anatomical alignment to fight off pain. You won’t have to depend on medication to remove the pain.

Quicker Results

Chiropractic sessions may result in an immediate release of pain and pressure to your post-surgical areas. Overall recovery time happens slowly over time but will increase when your spine and back are adjusted.

Safe

Chiropractic services have a low risk. Chiropractic services are not invasive procedures to a patient. These professionals know how to read the patient’s natural anatomy and tackle that pain in the recovering areas.

What’s Next For Your Recovery?

If you’re recovering from back surgery, talk to your doctor about a post-surgical treatment strategy. If you’re looking for a medication-free plan, chiropractic may be the best choice.

When you do meet with a chiropractor for the first time, share your current health needs and concerns. The chiropractor will need this information to develop a holistic treatment plan that works for you.

You can also learn more about different chiropractic modalities on our website. We can help you get back on the road to recovery in no time! Give us a call if you have questions.

Maintenance Care Shown More Effective than Symptom-guided Treatment in Reducing Low Back Pain

Maintenance Care Shown More Effective than Symptom-guided Treatment in Reducing Low Back Pain

This study was done by The Nordic Maintenance Care program stating how maintenance care is more effective for low back pain than symptom-guided treatment.

Conclusion:

Maintenance care was more effective than symptom-guided treatment in reducing the total number of days over 52 weeks with bothersome non-specific LBP but it resulted in a higher number of treatments. For selected patients with recurrent or persistent non-specific LBP who respond well to an initial course of chiropractic care, MC should be considered an option for tertiary prevention.

See Full Article

Citation: Eklund A, Jensen I, Lohela-Karlsson M, Hagberg J, Leboeuf-Yde C, Kongsted A, et al. (2018) The Nordic Maintenance Care program: Effectiveness of chiropractic maintenance care versus symptom-guided treatment for recurrent and persistent low back pain—A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. PLoS ONE 13(9): e0203029. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203029

Lower Cross Syndrome 101

Lower Cross Syndrome 101

You’ve been living with lower back pain for years. Whether you’re at your desk job or relaxing at home, you consistently feel pain and tension in the lower region of your body and it’s interrupting your daily tasks. The discomfort is impossible to ignore, but you don’t know which medical professional to consult about this issue.

If any of these relate to you, it’s possible you may have Lower Cross Syndrome (LCS), and it’s time to visit a chiropractor.

What is Lower Cross Syndrome? In this article, I will unpack what LCS is, common symptoms and causes, and treatment for Lower Cross Syndrome that can help relieve your discomfort.

What Is Lower Cross Syndrome?

Lower Cross Syndrome is a muscular imbalance that results in changes in posture. This imbalance can lead to prolonged pain or tension in the lower back, hips, and pelvic region. 

What Are the Causes?

Both a sedentary lifestyle and poor posture can lead to Lower Cross Syndrome. This is a result of prolonged sitting due to work-life or injury which can lead to shortened hip flexor muscles. Shortened hip flexor muscles lead to tight lower back muscles which contribute to weak abdominal/core and gluteal/butt muscles.

The postural effects appear as a forward tilt of the pelvis, a forward head posture, and an excessive lower-back arch, thus a protruding abdomen. This contributes to an imbalance pull of muscles that affect the lower back, hips, pelvic region, and sometimes the hamstrings.

What Are Common Symptoms?

People who suffer from Lower Cross Syndrome often experience the following symptoms:

  • Stiffness in the lumbar, hip, hamstrings, or pelvic area
  • Pain in hip flexors, spine, gluteal muscles, and groin
  • An overly arched low back
  • Tension or tightness in the lower back and/or gluteal muscles

Treatments

Exercise and stretching is the best way to treat this syndrome. Considering that Lower Cross Syndrome develops as a result of shortened hip flexors and weak abdominal and gluteal muscles, the best treatment is to loosen and/or strengthen these muscles.

Here are exercises and stretches you can do to treat your lower back pain:

Stretches

To treat shortened or tight hip flexors, you have to loosen these muscles. Try these 2 stretches:

  • Foam roller: Place the foam roller underneath the tight area of the lower body and roll back and forth over the area until tension loosens.
  • Hip extensor stretch: Stand up straight, facing a wall with your feet hip-width apart. Place your hands on the wall for support. Step back with your right foot, keeping your right knee slightly bent. Bend the left knee, in a slight lunge. You should feel a gentle pull at the front of the right hip and thigh. Stay in this position for 60 seconds. Repeat on the opposite leg.

Exercises

To treat weak abdominal and gluteal muscles, you have to strengthen them. Try these two exercises:

  • Hip raises: Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Raise your hips up. Be sure to press your feet firmly into the ground and squeeze your glutes at the top. Pause, then repeat. 
  • Lunges: From a standing position, take a step forward with your right foot and bend your right knee until your left knee is nearly touching the ground. Rise up into a standing position and repeat on the other side.

Get Treatment Today

Now that you know what can cause Lower Cross Syndrome, it’s best to get treatment from a professional.

If you are dealing with Lower Cross Syndrome, request an appointment at Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness today. This is an issue that should not go untreated. Treatment for Lower Cross Syndrome is essential to relieving constant discomfort.  

5 Ways to Alleviate Wrist Pain

5 Ways to Alleviate Wrist Pain

Every day, people sit down at a desk, ready to work. The coffee is hot, there’s some early morning sunshine, and everything seems to be going great — right?

Well, wrist pain can throw a wrench in those plans. When people start to experience wrist pain, it can be hard to know how to alleviate it.

Unlike other parts of our body, it’s not so easy to just let your wrists rest. But there’s still a lot you can do to help, like stretches for wrist pain. Keep reading for some simple sources of daily relief.

1. Stretches for Wrist Pain

Whether someone works from home or at an office, a desk is a classic component of the work environment—and it just might come in handy when they’re trying out new exercises for wrist pain.

One thing they can do is press up against their desk or table for several seconds. Their palms should be flat against the surface. After a few tries, they might experience some much-needed pain relief.

Another stretch they can try is to pull the fingers of one hand with their other hand. They can put their palm out flat and let their fingers dangle downward before doing so. After, they can switch to their other hand and repeat as needed.

2. Use Some Warmth

If people have a heating pad handy, this might do the trick.

Heating pads can do wonders for quick comfort and muscle relief. People can apply the heat directly to their wrists or to hands, arms, and any problem areas.

3. Work Ergonomics for Wrist Pain

Could a person’s sitting position be contributing to your wrist pain? Whether they’re typing on a keyboard, writing notes, or clicking through websites, the way they’re positioned while working can make a big difference for pain.

The desk and chair should be positioned so that the person’s wrists are in a neutral position. If the chair is too high or low, they might have to strain or move in an uncomfortable way in order to reach the desk.

4. Massage

What could be better than a gentle, calming massage? Yep, massage isn’t just for your shoulders or back. People suffering from wrist pain can get some immediate relief with a targeted wrist massage.

You can look through our variety of massage services to see what kind would work best for your situation.

5. Braces for Wrist Pain

A person doesn’t have to be suffering a sprain, fracture, or other types of injury in order to benefit from a wrist brace. These tools can help keep their wrist in a position that avoids strain and discomfort.

In order to avoid inconveniences during the day, some people wear a wrist brace at night. This way, they can avoid bending their wrist in a way that could cause pain later.

Get the Relief You Need!

For people with wrist pain, this experience could affect an incredible amount of daily tasks and activities. From working to cooking to enjoying hobbies and so much more, wrist pain can really get in the way. The good news is that relief is out there.   So go ahead and try those stretches for wrist pain! Get a brace if needed. And to get recommendations for your particular situation, you can send us a message right on our website.   

5 Reasons Why Your Pillow Matters (and How to Pick the Right One!)

5 Reasons Why Your Pillow Matters (and How to Pick the Right One!)

A good night’s rest is important to keep yourself active during the day. However, if you sleep with the wrong pillow, you may not be getting the kind of rest you really need.

What are the reasons why your pillow matters and how can you choose the right one for you?

Using the wrong pillow can have a myriad of effects on your body and mind. Here you can understand the importance of your pillow and how to pick the best pillow for you!

1. The Wrong Pillow Can Create Back Pain

Your pillow can strain your neck, spine, and shoulders if it is incompatible with your sleep position. If you sleep too high or too low, this can create severe back pain.

Those who sleep on their backs should have a low-rise pillow to keep their neck and spine in line. Side sleepers or those who sleep on their stomach may benefit from a thicker style of pillow.

2. Avoid Getting Sick

Your pillow stores an astounding amount of sweat and saliva in it. After years of use, this can become a breeding ground for bacteria. 

You should make sure you buy a new pillow every few years to keep yourself healthy. That way you won’t have to deal with that disgusting bacteria buildup!

3. Reduce Snoring

The wrong pillow can leave your head in strange positions during the night. This can affect your breathing during the night, meaning your pillow may be making you snore more!

If your partner constantly complains about night noises, you may want to get a pillow that keeps your head in place. This is especially true for those who sleep on their back!

4. Keep Allergies at Bay

Bacteria isn’t the only thing your pillow will build up over the years. Pollutants such as pollen and dust particles can also weave themselves into the fabric of your pillow. If you have allergies, your pillow may cause nightmarish symptoms.

If you wake up in the morning feeling your usual allergy symptoms, it might be time for a new pillow.

5. Sleep Soundly Through the Night

The wrong pillow can leave you tossing and turning throughout the night as you try desperately to get comfortable. When choosing a pillow, it’s important to find one that is to your desired firmness or softness so that you can get a full night’s rest. No more thrashing around during the night!

Why Your Pillow Matters

Now that you understand why your pillow matters, you can go out and select the best pillow for you with confidence! Remember to consider your sleeping style while choosing a pillow to find the best option for you.

Are you struggling with severe back pain due to poor sleeping arrangements and don’t know what to do?

We’re here to help. Contact us with any questions or concerns you have about our chiropractic or massage therapy services and continue reading our blog for more helpful tips.