Injury Archives - Page 5 of 14 - Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness
Whole Body Vibration Therapy

Whole Body Vibration Therapy

by | Aug 4, 2020 | Advice, Injury, Orthotics, Testimonials, Weight-Loss, Wellness

Pain, Pain, Go Away: What’s the Best Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis?

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body. What does it do? It connects your calf muscles to your heel.

Without it, you wouldn’t be able to walk properly!

As it turns out, however, there are many diseases that can affect the tendons. Take rheumatoid arthritis, for instance, it can cause chronic inflammation.

Injuries can affect the connective tissues as well. In fact, they’re one of the main causes of Achilles tendonitis, which affects up to 18% of athletes.

Luckily, the condition is treatable. Interested in knowing what the best treatment for Achilles tendonitis is? Because that’s what we’ll be going over in this post!

Where is the Achilles Tendon Located?

The Achilles tendon is a thick band of fibrous tissue that’s located at the back of the lower leg. More specifically, it connects the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of the calf to the calcaneus aka heel bone.

Despite its size and strength, it’s vulnerable to injury—even with the small sacs of fluid protecting it at the heel. 

Causes for Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis occurs when the tendon becomes inflamed. Generally speaking, this can be caused by any repetitive movements.

That’s the main reason why athletes are more prone to the condition. Those who participate in sports such as tennis, softball, volleyball, and track and field, are particularly susceptible.

Certain factors can play a role as well. For example, an individual will be more likely to experience tendonitis if they exercise without warming up. A sudden increase in physical activity can also strain the tendon.

Best Treatment For Achilles Tendonitis (Without Medications)

There are ways to treat Achilles tendonitis without medications. For one thing, you can use the RICE method. Here’s a brief overview of how it works:

Rest: Avoid putting weight or pressure on the tendon for 1-2 days—that’ll allow it to heal faster. Consider using crutches if you need to walk.

Ice: Apply ice to the tendon for 15-20 minutes at a time. The cold will help bring down any swelling or inflammation. It’s a good idea to wrap the ice pack with a towel so that it won’t damage your skin.

Compression: Compress the injury by wrapping athletic tape around the tendon; this will prevent excessive swelling. However, don’t wrap it too tightly or else it’ll affect your blood flow.

Elevation: Raise your foot so that it’s above your chest—you want it to be higher than your heart. This is an effective way of reducing bruising and swelling.

Chiropractic Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis

Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve pain. After all, it’s not uncommon for misaligned joints to put extra stress on the Achilles tendons and feet.

Your chiropractor may also opt for Active Release Therapy (ART). Basically, it involves breaking up scar tissue in the tendon, leg, and foot. Not only will this help with the pain but it’ll also prevent further complications.

Dealing With Achilles Tendonitis

While most cases are minor, it never hurts to go see a doctor or even a chiropractor—they’ll be able to determine the best treatment for Achilles tendonitis that’s right for you.

For those of you who are in the Mill Creek area, feel free to contact us to see how we can help!

CONTACT US
Can Chiropractic Help With Neuropathy

Can Chiropractic Help With Neuropathy

by | Jul 30, 2020 | Advice, Injury, Weight-Loss, Wellness

 wazs

Most people think of chiropractors as treating a few specific problems. If they have a sore back or a crick in their neck, the chiropractor is the first person they call.

What you may not realize is that your trusted chiropractor treats far more conditions and symptoms than you realize. One of those conditions is neuropathy. This painful problem affects tens of millions of Americans including up to 70% of people with diabetes.

What is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy, to be general, is damage to the nerves. Most of the time when people talk about neuropathy, they’re talking about peripheral neuropathy. This is neuropathy in your limbs like your arms, legs, feet, and hands.

When these nerves are damaged, it leads to painful or unsettling symptoms. You may have tingling or a pins-and-needles type of pain in the area. You might also feel numbness in the area.

There are many potential causes of neuropathy. Over time, the high blood sugar of diabetes can damage your nerves, especially if the diabetes isn’t well-controlled.

Nerve damage can also come from injuries. These include both traumatic injuries and stress injuries from repeated use. Any illness that limits your blood flow can cause neuropathy. So can a variety of other conditions like certain autoimmune disorders.

Can Chiropractors Help With Neuropathy?

If you’re suffering from neuropathy, you have other options besides prescription pain medications. Chiropractic treatment has been shown to often make great improvements in neuropathy.

In fact, our unique clinic offers even more ways to treat neuropathy. In addition to skilled chiropractic care, our team provides whole-body vibration, infrared sauna sessions, and custom nutritional planning. This combination addresses your neuropathy from multiple angles for stronger results.

How Do Chiropractors Treat Neuropathy?

How exactly can a chiropractor treat neuropathy? The answer is surprisingly simple.

Your body is an ornate collaboration between bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and more, all tightly packed together. In some cases, misalignments in your body put excess pressure on specific nerves, leading to damage. Chiropractors use precise adjustments to relieve pressure on nerves to allow the nerves to heal.

Another common reason for neuropathy is a lack of blood flow. Your nerves, like everything else in your body, use blood to get their oxygen and nourishment. Unfortunately, misalignments in your body can restrict your blood flow. This deprices the nerves of the blood they need.

Our Doctors of Chiropractic can fine-tune your alignment to promote healthier blood flow throughout the area. Depending on your condition and how advanced it is, that refreshed blood flow can put your nerves on the path to recovery.

Taking the Pain Away: Chiropractic Care for Neuropathy

Neuropathy, including peripheral neuropathy, is a painful long-term condition that can make a dramatic difference in your daily life. The effects are even greater if you become dependent on opioid pain medications as a result. 

Instead, call our chiropractic team to learn more about the answer to the common question, “Can chiropractors help with neuropathy?”

 

CONTACT US
What You Need to Know About Diabetic Neuropathy

What You Need to Know About Diabetic Neuropathy

by | Jul 28, 2020 | Advice, Injury, Wellness

What Is Diabetic Neuropathy

When complications arising from diabetes occur, they may result in the disruption of blood flow. This interruption causes fewer nutrients (oxygen and minerals) to reach most body organs, leading to a type of nerve damage known as diabetic neuropathy.

Neuropathy itself is a nerve disease caused by nerve cell damage or dysfunction, hampering communication between the cells and the brain.

There are four main types of diabetic neuropathy:

  • Autonomic Neuropathy: Affects mainly the nerves that control digestion, but it can also affect the nerves controlling heartbeat, sex organs, and blood vessels.
  • Mononeuropathy: This can occur in any specific nerve.
  • Peripheral Symmetric Neuropathy: Affects mainly the hands, arms, legs, and feet.
  • Proximal Neuropathy: Affects the thighs, buttocks, hips, and legs.

Diabetic neuropathy progresses over time, with symptoms getting worse with time. Here’s all you need to know about neuropathy’s causes, symptoms, and management.

Diabetic Neuropathy Causes

Uncontrolled high blood sugar damages the nerves over time, which is thought to be the number one cause of diabetic neuropathy. Anyone with diabetes stands a high risk of developing neuropathy. Although there is no precise reason why or how this happens, there are factors that make you susceptible to diabetic neuropathy, including:

  • Uncontrolled or Excessive Blood Sugar Levels: Excessive blood sugar levels put you at risk of all complications that arise from diabetes, including nerve damage.
  • Kidney Damage: Kidney damage inhibits proper excretion of some toxins, leading to nerve damage.
  • Smoking: Smoking results in reduced blood flow to the legs and feet because it causes the narrowing and hardening of arteries.  
  • Diabetes History: The longer you have had diabetes, the more likely diabetic-related neuropathy can occur.

Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms

The symptoms depend on the type of neuropathy and the nerves affected, but in general, they include:

  • Gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation, bloating, nausea, or even diarrhea
  • Difficulty standing up after sitting for long
  • Ulcers
  • Infections
  • Tingling, muscle weakness, numbness, or pain
  • Loss of feeling in the arms, hands, or feet
  • Double vision
  • Aching behind one eye
  • Deformities
  • Bone and joint pain

A reputable chiropractic clinic can offer relief for most, if not all, of these symptoms, allowing you to get back to your normal duties.

How to Treat Diabetic Neuropathy

As mentioned earlier, anyone with diabetes can get diabetes-related neuropathy, so the first and best thing to do is monitor and manage your blood sugar levels.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for the condition, and treatment only aims to slow down its progression. It includes using:

  • Anticonvulsants: These include Pregabalin prescriptions to ease the pain. Gabapentin and Sodium valproate may also be given when other effects, such as weight gain, are present.
  • Antidepressants: These include Duloxetine or Amitriptyline to reduce unpleasant sensations.
  • Opioids: These include Oxycodone, Dextromethorphan, Tramadol, and Morphine. However, these are rarely prescribed because they have a high risk of rendering someone dependent after prolonged usage.
  • NSAIDs (painkiller): Common painkillers such as paracetamol to ease the pain.
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation: A spinal cord stimulator is a pacemaker-like device implanted between the epidural gap (space between the spinal cord and the vertebrae). It delivers electrical pulses to the spinal cord to help manage chronic pain when other medications fail to provide relief.
  • Chiropractic Care: Administering reputable chiropractic care can help patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy manage pain and other discomforts. Chiropractic care is the most effective method because it goes beyond covering the symptoms by addressing their underlying cause.

Diabetic neuropathy is a painful condition that causes many discomforts and can even be debilitating. However, by taking the correct measures to manage blood sugar levels, you can prevent it from getting worse.

 

 
 
CONTACT US
Why is Neuropathy Worse at Night

Why is Neuropathy Worse at Night

by | Jul 25, 2020 | Advice, Injury, Weight-Loss, Wellness

Why Is Neuropathy Worse at Night? 3 Ways to Find Nighttime Relief

Peripheral neuropathy affects more than 20 million Americans. This condition involves damage to one or more nerves, including those responsible for walking and pain perception. Its symptoms range from mild to severe and can develop over days or years.

But why is neuropathy worse at night? A possible explanation is that there are fewer distractions around. As a result, you may become more aware of your surroundings.

Stress, cooler temperatures, and some medications may worsen nerve pain during sleep. Certain lifestyle habits, like smoking and alcohol consumption, may contribute to this issue too.

Interested to find out more? Here’s what you should know about managing nerve pain at night so you can enjoy better sleep.

Why Is Neuropathy Worse at Night?

Neuropathy symptoms vary from one person to the next and depend on which nerves are affected. Some people experience numbness and tingling in the limbs, while others report shooting or stabbing pain. What most sufferers have in common is that their symptoms tend to get worse at night.

Individuals with nerve damage are more sensitive to external stimuli than the average person. Cooler temperatures, for example, may worsen their pain.

If your neuropathy is due to diabetes, you may also experience sleep apnea. A 2009 study has found that more than one-third of subjects with diabetes had moderate obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that may lead to awakenings at night.

Physical and emotional stress can further worsen nerve pain during sleep. Even simple things, such as worrying over an upcoming exam, may increase stress and amplify your symptoms.

Luckily, there are ways to address nighttime neuropathy without resorting to sleeping pills. Consider using these strategies to prevent or reduce nerve pain and get proper rest.

1. Change Your Sleeping Position

Many sufferers find relief from nerve pain by sleeping in a different position than usual. Sleeping in a recliner with a pillow underneath the thighs may reduce neuropathic symptoms in patients with spinal stenosis.

If you’re sleeping on your side, place a pillow between the thighs. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, may benefit from placing a pillow under their bellies to maintain the spine in proper alignment.

2. Reduce Your Stress Levels

As discussed earlier, stress may worsen nerve pain and other symptoms of neuropathy. It also contributes to anxiety, depression, and other conditions that can further affect your sleep.

Chamomile or valerian tea may help — just make sure you drink it at room temperature. Any beverage that’s too hot or too cold can make your symptoms worse.

Consider getting a massage after work to relax your mind and body. Massage therapy helps lower the stress hormone cortisol levels. At the same time, it promotes the release of serotonin and other “feel-good” hormones.

3. Try Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care can make it easier to manage the symptoms of neuropathy. Early treatment may reduce the severity of nerve damage and prevent complications.

This form of therapy targets your body as a whole. Over time, it may help improve nerve function and decrease pain, leading to a better night’s sleep. When combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, its benefits are even greater.

Restore Your Sleep and Energy Levels

Still wondering “Why is neuropathy worse at night?”

At Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness, we can identify the cause of your symptoms and help you restore your sleep naturally. We use a holistic approach to neuropathy treatment, which involves good nutrition, chiropractic care, and other non-invasive therapies.

Contact us today and start your journey to better health! We’re here to discuss your needs and answer any questions you may have.

​

CONTACT US
Guide to Treating Diabetic Neuropathy

Guide to Treating Diabetic Neuropathy

by | Jul 13, 2020 | Advice, Injury, Nutrition, Orthotics, Sleep, Weight-Loss, Wellness

A Guide to Recognizing, Diagnosing and Treating Diabetic Neuropathy

A recent study showed that in 2018, over 10% of the American population was diagnosed with diabetes. Couple that with the fact that there’s a proven correlation between rising obesity levels and Type-2 diabetes, and it’s clear this number will only rise from here.

However, there are a lot of extra problems that pop up thanks to diabetes. One of the worst among them is diabetic neuropathy. But how can you recognize and treat this condition in tandem with “normal” diabetes?

Well, look no further! We’re here to give you the guide to recognizing, diagnosing, and treating diabetic neuropathy! So without further ado, let’s jump right in.

Recognizing Diabetic Neuropathy

So what exactly is neuropathy? Well, neuropathy is a condition that results from the nerves in the body becoming damaged. Diabetes causes this thanks to the high levels of blood sugar damaging nerve sensors over time.

Neuropathy appears in four different types to boot. Peripheral neuropathy deals with pain and numbness in the arms and legs. Autonomic neuropathy targets your stomach and other organs, causing discomfort and bloating.

Proximal neuropathy involves pain located on one side of your body. Finally, focal neuropathy goes after specific nerves in the torso or head.

Some obvious symptoms of neuropathy include numbness and a tingling or burning feeling in your appendages. Differences in touch sensitivity are also common with this disorder.

Other symptoms include vomiting, bladder problems, dizziness, diarrhea, and bloating. In certain cases, erectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness have also been signs of neuropathy.

Diagnosing Diabetic Neuropathy

If you believe you have diabetic neuropathy, your doctor will perform a reflex test. This involves checking your touch sensitivity and the reflexes of your tendons. From there, your doctor can order a variety of different tests to ensure that their diagnosis is accurate.

One of these tests (sensory testing) involves seeing how your nerves respond to different temperatures. Filament tests involve brushing soft nylon over your skin to get an even clearer picture of how much touch sensation you have.

In some cases, your doctor will even recommend an autonomic test. This determines how your blood pressure flows when you sit or stand in different ways.

Treating Diabetic Neuropathy

One of the main ways doctors slow the progression of the disease is by making sure your blood sugar levels stay at healthy levels. The general guideline for fasting blood sugar levels is to stay below 100 milligrams per deciliter.

Different types of pain medication will also help treat the painful sensations that come with diabetic neuropathy. But what about the individual symptoms caused by diabetic neuropathy, at Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness we treat the neuropathy with a proper nutrition plan that targets nerve regeneration!

A Brighter Tomorrow

So now that you have this guide on how recognizing, diagnosing, and treating diabetic neuropathy works, you’re ready to tackle this disease head-on! If you or someone you know is suffering from neuropathic disease, contact us, and see how we can help!

CONTACT US
Rotator Cuff Strain

Rotator Cuff Strain

by | Jun 29, 2020 | Injury, Wellness

Rotator Cuff Strain

We take our shoulders and our free range of motion for granted until there is a problem.  Whether because of age, bad posture, or overuse, suffering from an acute or chronic rotator cuff strain or injury makes simple daily tasks nearly impossible and even sleep can be disrupted until a solution or treatment is found.  It’s estimated that over 2 million people per year seek treatment for problems associated with their rotator cuffs.

Our rotator cuffs are made up of a group of muscles and tendons that hold the upper arm bone (or humerus) in the socket allowing us to raise and rotate our arms.  People that participate in jobs or sports that require a lot of overhead movement are far more susceptible to rotator cuff strain, as are people suffering from arthritis and inflammation problems.

What Are the Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Strain?

Starting as a dull ache and progressing to sharp pain, rotator cuff strains limit full movement in the shoulder causing pain and weakness that may get progressively worse if not proactively addressed.  Left undiagnosed and untreated, these symptoms can impact daily activities and may make sleep much more difficult, as well as routine self-care such as dressing, combing or brushing hair, and bathing or showering.

What Are the Causes of Rotator Cuff Strain?

Often rotator cuff strain happens when someone repeatedly performs the same task, such as through work (carpenter, house painter) or sports (tennis, softball or weightlifting).  It can also be the result of an acute tear from lifting something heavy or a bike or car accident.  And age can certainly play a role as muscles tend to weaken and arthritis appears.  Some causes include:

  • Tear of the muscles or tendons that make up the rotator cuff
  • Overuse accompanied by:
    • Tendinitis – inflammation of a tendon that often affects joint areas subject to overuse and injury 
    • Bursitis – painful irritation of the bursae, the small fluid-filled sacks that cushion joints
  • Impingement Syndrome that occurs when tendons in the shoulder and rotator cuff rub against the shoulder blade causing inflammation and weakening
  • Arthritis or bone spurs in the shoulder joint

Do At-Home Tests for Rotator Cuff Strain Work?

There are three tests that can be tried at home to self-diagnose shoulder injuries and rotator cuff strains.  The problem is that if done improperly you run the risk of causing additional damage or injury to the joint.  Proper diagnosis by health professionals may be the most prudent course of action.

Treatment for Rotator Cuff Strain Including Chiropractic Care

There are some initial things to try at home if suffering from moderate discomfort:  1) heat and cold intermittently, 2) NSAIDS anti-inflammatories, and 3) resting the joint until pain subsides.  If there is no improvement, chiropractic care is the best non-surgical alternative therapy and if further medical evaluation, injections, or surgery is necessary, additional referral in the Mill Creek area can happen upon determination.  

Conservatively, effective chiropractic care to fully restore movement and functioning would include: 

  • Heat and ice treatments
  • Shoulder adjustments
  • Upper cervical adjustments
  • Massage
  • Exercise to restore proper function and mobility

At Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness, we approach our patients’ care in a holistic way reviewing lifestyle and wellness goals and tailoring our care to improve a person’s whole life, including nutrition and exercise, as well as using proper body mechanics to avoid further aggravation or injury.

Learn more about rotator cuff strain and chiropractic care at Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness in Mill Creek, Washington.  Our goal is to support your healthy lifestyle!