Headache Care and What To Expect On Your First Visit To A Chiropractor

Many people suffer from tension headaches. In fact, four percent of the adult United States population have headaches on a daily basis. Approximately 7 million people suffer from headaches at least every other day, which translates into millions of lost workdays and severely impacts work efficiency.

In medical terms, a stress or tension headache is called a cervicogenic headache which means it originates with irritated nerves and joints in the upper neck, and refers pain into the head.

There is much research and anecdotal evidence that chiropractic care can help headaches. This article will describe a typical first visit to a chiropractor to determine if a patient can be helped by chiropractic therapy, or if the patient would best be seen by another health practitioner.

As with all visits to a doctor you will be asked to give some written information. This information will allow you to detail when your headaches originally began, how often the headaches occur, how the headaches vary in pain intensity, what other doctors and specialists you have seen, and any diagnostic testing you have previously had.

Next, you will meet with the chiropractor so that you can talk further about your headaches. He will want to know in which areas of your head you feel the pain. For instance, some people get headaches in the back of the head, where others get pain in the side of the head or around the temples. Still others get pain in the forehead or around the eyes or frontal sinuses. The doctor of chiropractic will want to know if anything triggers or causes your headaches to begin. Examples of this would be: fatigue, stress, posture, work station set-up, certain foods, and weather or environmental factors. It will be helpful for the chiropractor to know if you have had loss or disturbance of vision or hearing, weakness, or loss of consciousness. The chiropractor will ask of there is anything you do on your own to help your headaches such as take medication, use ice or heat applications or rub an ointment or cream on specific areas. It is always helpful to know how your headaches might keep you from being able to sleep normally, perform chores in the yard or at home, do your usual job and employment duties, enjoy social activities, sports, or hobbies.

Next, the chiropractor will want to check you physically. Palpation, or feeling the upper neck, might reveal muscle tightness or spasm, swelling and inflammation, and pressure points of tenderness. Checking for proper movements of the head and neck might show a loss of the normal range of motion of the neck. Looking at your posture might show that a "slouched" upper body appearance may be causing or contributing to your discomfort. There are neurological tests and orthopedic tests that the chiropractor has been thoroughly trained in that will be helpful in rendering a diagnosis.

Following this, the chiropractor may take x-rays of your neck which might show signs of misalignment, degeneration, or arthritis. The chiropractor will also inspect for fractures, dislocations or bone destruction.

Once these steps have been accomplished, the chiropractor can determine a diagnosis and be able to give you a good idea if your condition is one in which he might be able to help, and accept your case.

Many people suffering from headaches have responded well to chiropractic therapy. If you have seen other doctors and tried other types of care but have not seen a chiropractor for you headaches, it is certainly a prudent next step. If the chiropractor can help you, he will let you know. If he can't, he will tell you that also and make an appropriate referral to someone else.

To learn more about chiropractic care in Pittsburgh please visit Dr. James Schofield's website here: Pittsburgh Chiropractor.

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Exactly What To Anticipate On Your Visit To Your Chiropractic Specialist

Some people experiencing chronic pains are willing to attempt practically anything just to get some relief. While many have probably tried all sorts of pain killers, hot packs, and massages, they are most likely dissatisfied that the pain in some way comes creeping back after a while. This is where a visit to a chiropractic practitioner is undoubtedly a great way to go. Safe, natural therapy that could possibly take away your pain? Surely, this method is worth checking out.

What is chiropractic medicine? It is a holistic approach to healing, holding on strongly to the belief that the body has the ability to heal itself, without the use of medicine. All it needs is methodical manipulation and adjustments from the chiropractic practitioner. Aches and pains are believed to be caused by misalignment in the spinal column called subluxations, and it is the chiropractor's duty to push and prod your body back to the way it was, or to the way it ought to be. Professional ministrations are meant to help loosen your joints and relieve inflamed nerves, ideally eliminating painful areas of your body.

When you see your chiropractic practitioner, they will interview you concerning your background, so that they can get a clear image of your lifestyle. With this assessment, they will be able to trace your history of family illnesses, your health and eating habits, and your general condition. They will then ask you the reason for your visit, just how long you have actually been feeling the pain, and just what might have triggered it. They will then continue to examine you thoroughly so that they can easily review the nature and severity of your issue. This can include a set of tests, including an evaluation of your spinal column. If needed, they might request you to go through x-rays or additional tests, in order to assist in the examination and medical diagnosis. After all the results are in, they will then study the most effective course of action to take. This will certainly be described to you in detail, so that you can make your decision whether you want to proceed with it, and also to answer whatever questions you could have.

It is essential to keep in mind that different people might additionally have different reactions to the exact same kind of treatment. While some may experience relief quicker, others may notice that it takes a little more time for their healing to work. Generally, the younger people have a faster recovery period than older people. Listen well to your chiropractic doctor and do not wait to clear up any queries. It is best to know precisely how your body works, and the most effective way you can take care of it.

If you need a chiropractor in Murfreesboro TN or a clinic that offers physical therapy in Murfreesboro TN then you should visit the Total Family Physicians Center or call 615-745-3855.

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Moms-To-Be Often Need to Visit a Knee Doctor Due to Pain and Instability

The changes your body undergoes during pregnancy can range from uncomfortable to horrifying. Excessive facial hair, jowls, and morning sickness can add up to one unhappy mom-to-be. The extra weight gained causes emotional pain for a lot of women, and very real physical pain for others, especially in the knees. When the discomfort turns into pain, and the pain becomes debilitating, you may want to make an appointment with a knee doctor.

Depending on your pre-pregnancy weight, you will probably be advised to gain anywhere from 10 to 40 pounds during the gestational period. If done healthily, this weight gain is a considered a positive change. But for many, the rapid addition of so much weight can wreak havoc on their poor knees.

The weight gain itself is not really the main culprit. For non-pregnant people, weight gain does not begin to adversely affect the knee joints until the point of obesity. But pregnant women are not just carrying extra body weight, they are carrying a baby in the front of their bodies, which totally throws off their natural center of gravity.

Pregnant women have to adjust the way they stand and walk. The weight in the front causes them to lean back, placing stress on the hips, back, and knees in a way that they are unprepared for. Some women suffer this pain only when walking or standing for extended periods of time. But others report persistent, excruciating pain even when sitting, lying down, or just getting out of bed. A qualified knee doctor can remedy these cases.

The situation is further exacerbated by large amounts of the hormone relaxin that a pregnant woman's body produces. The purpose of the hormone surge is to loosen up the joints in the pelvis to allow them to expand enough to accommodate a fully-grown baby. However, like all hormones, its effects are not limited to one part of the body. The relaxing, loosening effect can be found in all joints in the body, including the knees.

This contributes to the pain as the weakened knee joint struggles to hold the newly added weight. However, pain is not the only, or even the worst, issue. Loose knee joints cause instability that can endanger the mother or child if she were to fall.

A knee doctor may be able to recommend a few solutions for women who find themselves weak in the knees. Surgery during pregnancy is usually avoided unless totally necessary. But for a serious injury or condition, a less invasive surgery called arthroscopy can be safely performed.

For less dire cases, knee braces may be recommended to provide extra support, balance and pain relief. For further pain relief, low doses of acetaminophen are considered safe for pregnant women. Many other popular over-the-counter painkillers carry warnings for pregnant women. The most popular of these are ibuprofen and aspirin, which are linked to increased risk of miscarriage and life-threatening developmental defects for the baby.

If you are a pregnant woman looking for a knee doctor in Houston, there are professionals available to help. Visit  http://www.warnockmd.com/ for more information.

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