Chiropractor

Watermelon is more than water!

in Chiropractor  by August 29, 2014 0 comments

This blog is for the protection of my fragile ego and in defense of my enjoyment of watermelon.  As a chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia area I give patients dietary advice as well, so I better double check my advice.  At home I love eating watermelon and have been told at home that it is nothing but sugar and water.  So now I must jump to my own defense and find out if that is true.  Well yea it is true, but there are also other health benefits!  So I’m not completely wrong and it is water!

Possible health benefits of consuming watermelon

Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like watermelon decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, overall lower weight.

Asthma prevention: The risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is vitamin C, found in many fruits and vegetables including watermelon.

Blood pressure: A study published by the American Journal of Hypertension found that watermelon extract supplementation reduced ankle blood pressure, brachial blood pressure and carotid wave reflection in obese middle-aged adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension and that watermelon extract improved arterial function.

Diets rich in lycopene may help protect against heart disease.

Cancer: As an excellent source of the strong antioxidant vitamin C as well as other antioxidants, watermelon can help combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer. Lycopene intake has been linked with a decreased risk of prostate cancer prevention in several studies.

Digestion and regularity: Watermelon, because of its water and fiber content, helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract.

Hydration: Made up of 92% water and full of important electrolytes, watermelon is a great snack to have on hand during the hot summer months to prevent dehydration.

Inflammation: Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient in watermelon that aids our bodies in sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation.1

Muscle soreness: Watermelon and watermelon juice have been shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time following exercise in athletes. Researchers believe this is likely do to the amino acid L-citrulline contained in watermelon.

Skin: Watermelon is also great for your skin because it contains vitamin A, a nutrient required for sebum production that keeps hair moisturized. Vitamin A is also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair.

Adequate intake of vitamin C (one cup of watermelon provides 21% of daily needs) is also needed for the building and maintenance of collagen, which provides structure to skin and hair. Watermelon also contributes to overall hydration, which is vital for having healthy looking skin and hair.

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Adjusting a child

in Chiropractor  by August 26, 2014 0 comments

Here at Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia area I get asked a lot by my patients if adjusting a child is possible.  There are many studies indicating that it is fine to adjust children and there is a fair amount of research also pointing towards the benefits of having your child adjusted.  I generally tell my patients that if your child is complaining of back pain which can be associated with heavy back packs, posture while playing video games or reading and over use of the computer then definitely bring them in for an exam.  Adults complain of pain while dealing with repetitive stress or posture issues but hardly ever think of it happening to their kids.  Here are some studies and information about the benefits of having your child adjusted.


According to Dr. David Sackett, the father of evidence-based medicine, there are three prongs to the evidence-based decision: clinical expertise, scientific research and patient preference. While chiropractic has more than 100 years of clinical expertise from which to draw, our profession is still quite young when it comes to its base of scientific research—a state that is even more so for one of our youngest subspecialties, chiropractic pediatrics. Dedicated researchers are working hard to fill in these gaps.  Recent studies are beginning to confirm what our century of clinical experience has already shown—that chiropractic care for children is not only safe, but also effective for a variety of pediatric conditions.

Dr. Joyce Miller and her colleagues at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in the U.K. have contributed much to our knowledge of chiropractic pediatrics in the past few years. Here is a brief summary of some of their latest studies:

Safety study: Miller et al. examined 781 pediatric patients under three years of age (73.5 percent of whom were under 13 weeks) who received a total of 5,242 chiropractic treatments at a chiropractic teaching clinic in England between 2002 and 2004.¹ There were no serious adverse effects (reaction lasting >24 hours or needing hospital care) over the three-year study period. There were seven reported minor adverse effects, such as transient crying or interrupted sleep.

Nursing study: Miller et al. also performed a clinical case series of chiropractic care for 114 infants with hospital- or lactation-consultant-diagnosed nursing dysfunction.² The average age at first visit was three weeks. All infants in the study showed some improvement, with 78 percent able to exclusively breastfeed after two to five treatments within a two-week period.

Colic: Browning et al. performed a single-blinded randomized comparison trial of the effects of spinal manipulative therapy and occipito-sacral decompression therapy on infants with colic.³ Forty-three infants younger than eight weeks of age received two weeks of chiropractic care. Two weeks and four weeks after beginning treatment, the infants in both treatment groups cried significantly less and slept significantly more than prior to receiving chiropractic care.

Long-term sequelae of colic: Research has shown that children who were colicky as infants suffer from poor behavior and disturbed sleep as toddlers. Miller et al. performed a survey of parents of 117 such toddlers who had received chiropractic care as infants vs. 111 who had not received chiropractic care.4 They found the treated toddlers were twice as likely not to experience long-term sequelae of infantile colic, such as temper tantrums and frequent nocturnal waking. In other words, colicky infants who had received chiropractic care were twice as likely to sleep well and to experience fewer temper tantrums in their toddler years.

That is just a sampling of some of the great work that is being done by the dedicated and hard-working researchers focusing on chiropractic pediatrics.

References:

1. Miller JE, Benfield K. Adverse effects of spinal manipulation therapy in children younger than 3 years: a retrospective study in a chiropractic teaching clinic. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2008;31(6):419-422.

2. Miller JE, Miller L, et al. Contribution of chiropractic therapy to resolving suboptimal breastfeeding: A case series of 114 infants. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2009;32(8):670-674.

3. Browning M, Miller JE. Comparison of the short-term effects of chiropractic spinal manipulation and occipito-sacral decompression in the treatment of infant colic: A single-blinded, randomised, comparison trial.  Clinical Chiropractic 2008;11(3):122-129.

4. Miller JE, Phillips HL. Long-term effects of infant colic: a survey comparison of chiropractic treatment and non-treatment groups. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2009;32(8):635-638.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Hydration and our appearance!

in Chiropractor  by August 22, 2014 0 comments

Can we slow down aging or at the least its appearance!

We can’t avoid getting older, trust me I have tried.  So since that is going to happen anyway, how can we at least age gracefully?  One of the big things I beat my Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia Chiropractic patients over the head with is hydration.  Hydration plays a huge factor in muscle spasm but it also plays a huge factor in how we look.  That seems to get their attention more than how it can help with the spasms.

The term dehydration sounds so drastic and no one thinks it can happen to them.  After all we live in a world of abundance and water is everywhere.  I tell my Woodbridge, Dale City VA chiropractic patients yes water is everywhere but it isn’t in your glass.  That will get me the “oh yea but I drink plenty of tea, juice, coffee, soda…”  Dehydrate, dehydrate, dehydrate and dehydrate.  Caffeine and sugar drinks do the opposite of hydrate.  There is a reason you can sit down and drink a 64 ounce soda in a half hour lunch break but a 64 ounce water takes all day.  One is hydrating and one isn’t.  When our insides dry out so do our outsides.  Vanity is one way to get people back in to hydrating.

Tom Myers put together a great video that is 4 minutes long and really covers this information and it doesn’t involve reading!  So pop open a frosty water and enjoy!

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Anatomy of a Headache

in Chiropractor  by August 19, 2014 0 comments

Many of my Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia chiropractic patients want to know how chiropractic helps with their headaches.  Understanding what type of headache you have helps you see how chiropractors may be one of the best places to start, especially with cervicogenic headaches.   Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area has been successfully treating headaches for over 18 years.  Here is a great study to help you understand how chiropractic can help with your headaches.

It’s been said that if one understands anatomy, determining WHERE the problem is located becomes easy. So, let’s take a look at the anatomy in the upper most part of the neck. In the study previously mentioned (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21278628), the authors found an intimate relationship between the muscles that connect the upper 2 cervical vertebra (C1 and 2) together and their anatomical connection to the dura mater (the covering of the spinal cord). They identified this anatomical connection between the muscles that span between the back aspect of C1/2 and the dural connection as having a significant role in the development of headaches usually referred to as cervicogenic headaches.

There are several reasons why chiropractors adjust or manipulate the upper cervical vertebrae in patients with headaches. The obvious reason is simply because it helps to reduce the intensity, frequency and duration of headaches. The reason it works is this: If one or both of the upper 2 vertebrae (C1 and C2, also referred to as the atlas and axis, respectively) are either blocked or fixed and cannot properly move independently, then there is an abnormal change in the biomechanics in that region. Similarly, if one of the two vertebrae is rotated or shifted in reference to the other, a similar biomechanical “lesion” or problem occurs (often referred to as a “subluxation”). You can take all the ibuprofen, Aleve, Tylenol or other perhaps stronger, prescription medication for the headache, but it is not logical that the biomechanical problem at C1 and/or C2 is going to change by inducing a chemical change (i.e., taking a pill). All you’re doing is masking the symptoms for a while, at best.

Many people find that after a several chiropractic adjustments, their headaches are significantly improved. This is because restoring proper biomechanics to the C1/2 region reduces the abnormal forces on the vertebrae as well as any abnormal pull or traction of the posterior cervical muscles on the dural attachment. It has been reported that the function of this muscle/dura connection is to resist excessive movement of the dura towards the spinal cord when we look upwards and forwards. During neurosurgery, observation of mechanical stress on the dura was found to be associated in patients with headaches. In chronic headache sufferers, adjustments applied to this area results in significant improvement. There is no other treatment approach that matches the ability that adjustments or manipulation have in restoring the C1/2 biomechanical relationship thus, helping the headache sufferer. Another treatment option that has been shown to benefit the headache patient is injections to this same area. However, given the side effects of cortisone, botox, and other injectable chemicals, it’s clear that chiropractic should be utilized first. It’s the safest, most effective, and fastest way to restore function in the C1/2 area, thus relieving headaches.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Ankle Rehabilitation

in Chiropractor  by August 15, 2014 0 comments

We have all been there.  You step off a curb funny or step in a hole while running.  BAM!  You get a sharp pain in the ankle.  You limp around a little cursing the fact you weren’t paying attention.  Now what do you do?  Well of course it swells up and hurts and you limp around and borrow some crutches.  You prop it up next to you at your desk with some ice.  After all that and if it was a simple sprain your goal is to rehab it correctly and be done with it.  Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia area is a great place to have it diagnosed but if you can’t make it to us, and it is a simple sprain, here are the things we advise our patients to do to help it heal correctly.

 

Ankle Rehabilitation Program1

As described in Human Locomotion, the following is a sample ankle sprain rehabilitation plan.

Phase 1. The patient is unable to bear weight.

A) Compressive wrap with U-shaped felt balance around fibula. Change every 4 hours.

B) Patient actively abducts/adducts toes for 5 seconds, repeat 10 times.

C) Write out alphabet with toes, 5 times per day.

D) Stationary bike, 15 minutes per day.

E) Ankle rock board performed while seated (off weight-bearing), 30 circles, performed clockwise and counterclockwise 2 times per day. Perform on uninjured ankle while standing for 3 minutes. The standing rock board performed on the uninjured ankle has been shown to increase proprioception in the contralateral limb.

F) Mild Grade 3 and 4 mobilization of the joints of the foot and ankle.

Phase 2. Patient can walk with minimal discomfort, and the sprained ankle has 90 percent full range of motion.

A) Mobilize all stiff joints in the lower extremity and pelvis.

B) Thera-Band exercises in all planes, 3 sets of 25 in each direction.

C) Double-leg and then single-leg heel raises on the involved side, 3 sets of 10 reps, performed 2 times per day.

D) Standing closed-eye balance, 30 seconds, 5 times per day.

E) Standing single-leg ankle rock board, performed for 1 minute, 5 times per day.

F) Closed kinetic chain exercises. (The sprained ankle is positioned securely on the ground while the patient pulls a resistance band forward and to the side. The patient then rotates 180° and the exercise is repeated by extending and abducting the uninvolved limb.)

Phase 3. Patient can hop on involved ankle without pain.

A) Run at 80 percent full speed, avoid forefront touch down.

B) Minitrampoline: 3 sets of 30 jumps forward, backward, and side to side. Begin on both legs, progress to single limb.

C) Plyometrics performed on a 50cm and a 25cm box, positioned one meter apart. Jump from one box to the ground and then to the other box, landing as softly as possible. Perform 3 sets of 5 repetitions.

Resource:

Michaud, T. 2011. Human Locomotion: The Conservative Management of Gait-Related Disorders. Newton Biomechanics.

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Golf and Low Back Pain, they shouldn’t go together

in Chiropractor  by August 12, 2014 0 comments

Let’s face it most of us aren’t going to play golf like Tiger Woods, maybe more like Tony the Tiger.  But in any event no one wants to get hurt while playing.   At Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area golf injuries are very common.   Chiropractors are well versed in the bio mechanics of the back and they are a great place to go for treatment and rehabilitation.  Here are some basics to help you prevent injury.

1. Warm-up before playing golf to prevent low back pain

Warming up sounds so simple but even I am guilty of jumping out of my car and in to the golf cart.  Then stand on the first tee and twist to the right then back to the left, light a cigar and we are off.  Worked so-so when I was younger not at all now that I am in my 40’s.  A thorough warm-up before starting to golf—including stretching and easy swings—is critical for the muscles to get ready for the game.

First, start with stretching before beginning to play golf. Stretching should emphasize the shoulder, torso, and hip regions as well as the hamstring muscles.

The shoulder and torso may be stretched by holding a golf club behind the neck and shoulders and then rotating the torso.

The hips maybe stretched by pulling the knee to the chest.

The hamstrings maybe stretched by bending over and trying to touch the toes.

Next, gently swinging a golf club helps warm up the necessary muscle groups and prepares them for the torque (force) and torsion (twisting) that a golf swing produces. Time permitting, going to the driving range before a golf game is very helpful. Golf practice should begin with the smaller irons and progress up to the larger woods. This process allows the muscles to incrementally warm up.

Overall, muscles that have been stretched and gradually loaded are much less prone to being injured while playing golf and can take more stress before either being strained or sprained.

2. Practice swinging before playing golf to prevent low back pain

The objective of a golf swing is to develop significant clubhead speed, and to do this a lot of torque (force) and torsion (twisting) is applied to the low back. Golfers should emphasize a smooth, rhythmic swing, as this produces less stress and less low back pain (such as minimizing muscular effort and disc and facet joint loading).

With a proper swing, the shoulder, pelvis (hip), and thoracolumbar segments (chest and lower spine) rotate to share the load of the swing. The shoulder and hip turn, along with the wrist snap, will produce more clubhead velocity than a stiff arm swing.

Good balance while golfing is achieved by slightly bending the knees and keeping the feet approximately shoulder-width apart. The spine should be straight, and the golfer should bend forward from the hips. Weight should be distributed evenly on the balls of the feet.

As most golfers will agree, while developing an easy, fluid swing may be desirable in terms of reducing stress to the low back and preventing low back pain, this is often easier said than done. To avoid a low back injury, beginners would be well advised to work with a golf pro when starting out, since most aspects of a golf swing are not natural or intuitive. Additionally, golf lessons may be useful for senior golfers who have decreased flexibility and strength.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Piriformis Syndrome and treatment

in Chiropractor  by August 8, 2014 0 comments

A very common complaint people go to a chiropractor for is low back pain that causes pain into your buttock.  At Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Dale City VA area we see a fair amount of this complaint.  Most people think sciatica or disc injury whenever they get pain in to the leg.  This is a legitimate concern but it could be something much simpler but no less painful.  Chiropractors have a very high success rate at treating piriformis syndrome and should be one of the first healthcare providers you consult.

Anatomy

The piriformis muscle originates from the anterior (front) part of the sacrum, the part of the spine in the gluteal region, and from the superior margin of the greater sciatic notch (as well as the sacroiliac joint capsule and the sacrotuberous ligament). It exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen to insert on the greater trochanter of the femur. Its tendon often joins with the tendons of the superior gemellus, inferior gemellus, and obturator internus muscles prior to insertion.

The piriformis, pyramidal in shape, lying almost parallel with the posterior margin of the gluteus medius.

It is situated partly within the pelvis against its posterior wall, and partly at the back of the hip-joint.

It arises from the front of the sacrum by three fleshy digitations, attached to the portions of bone between the first, second, third, and fourth anterior sacral foramina, and to the grooves leading from the foramina: a few fibers also arise from the margin of the greater sciatic foramen, and from the anterior surface of the sacrotuberous ligament.

The muscle passes out of the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen, the upper part of which it fills, and is inserted by a rounded tendon into the upper border of the greater trochanter behind, but often partly blended with, the common tendon of the obturator internus and superior and inferior gemellus muscles.

The piriformis muscle crosses over top of the sciatic muscle and if the muscle spasms it will compress the sciatic nerve and cause pain in to your buttock and leg.  Once you have been properly diagnosed by your chiropractor or healthcare provider it is time to start treatment.

Treatment

Now that we know what the piriformis is and how it can cause us pain by compressing the sciatic nerve stretching it is one of the first things you should try.  Video

Lie on the back with the legs flat. Pull the affected leg up toward the chest, holding the knee with the hand on the same side of the body and grasping the ankle with the other hand. Trying to lead with the ankle, pull the knee towards the opposite ankle until stretch is felt. Do not force ankle or knee beyond stretch. Hold stretch for 30 seconds, then slowly return to starting position. Aim to complete a set of three stretches.

Lie on the floor with the legs flat. Raise the affected leg and place that foot on the floor outside the opposite knee. Pull the knee of the bent leg directly across the midline of the body using the opposite hand or a towel, if needed, until stretch is felt. Do not force knee beyond stretch or to the floor. Hold stretch for 30 seconds, then slowly return to starting position. Aim to complete a set of three stretches.

Lie on the floor with the affected leg crossed over the other leg at the knees and both legs bent. Gently pull the lower knee up towards the shoulder on the same side of the body until stretch is felt. Hold stretch for 30 seconds, then slowly return to starting position. Aim to complete a set of three stretches.

These stretches work great for after care and between visits but active care may be needed by your chiropractor to help eliminate any other causes of the sciatic compression.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Hip Pain

in Chiropractor  by August 5, 2014 0 comments

One of the more common problems we see at Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Dale City Virginia area is hip joint pain.  Hip area pain is widely misused.  People call hip pain anything from the actual hip joint socket to the lower back area.  I have to say even chiropractors are guilty of telling a few patients your hip is up or out in reference to the SI joint.  Dr John Acquavella, DC gave a great article in ACA Today on hip joint misdiagnosis.

When the hip joint is spoken of, it is typically thought of as a vague area that may encompass anywhere from the iliac crest, the sacroiliac joint or the point at which the femur articulates with the acetabulum. The latter is the actual hip joint. Lower back pain that radiates more laterally to the pelvic area over the acetabulum, groin, and upper lateral thigh is not necessarily definitive of an L4/L5 disc syndrome. Pain in this region may also be secondary to a facet syndrome. Sometimes, pain to the lower abdominal and groin region may be a part of the symptomatology presented by a patient. The differentiation between the L/4/L5 disc and facet syndrome is that the disc with the radiculopathy will generally follow a known dermatome, while a facet syndrome follows a dermatomal pain pattern. Doctors of chiropractic usually find and treat articular lesions of the sacrum, ilium or lumbar spine, for a period of time, without cessation of symptoms or improvement of these complaints. One other consideration would be for a tear of the labrum in the hip, which may result in pain in the SI joint, gluteus area and even anterially into the groin.

Complaints in these more lateral areas are often due to a problem in an area that many doctors don’t check—the femoral head. The femoral head may need to be assessed for the need for manipulation or mobilization. This in turn may cause deep pelvic muscle spasms, which may become chronic. I believe that every day activities, from subtle movements like turning in bed to more repetitive activities like bearing more weight on a pronated foot time and time again, may cause misalignment to the femoral head. This area should be checked and adjusted for recovery, in my opinion.

Drawing upon an example from personal experience: I would open the car door and throw my right leg into the car and then sit down. I would experience a subtle “click” in the acetabulum area, followed by pain and irregular walking gait, pulling of the leg when weight bearing, causing deep spasms of the upper thigh and lower abdominal muscles, pulling the leg forward instead of pushing the leg forward, as in a normal walking gait. This caused a transition of weight-bearing muscle function to muscles not usually used in normal walking. (A compensatory walking gait is developed.) This caused me pain and spasm in adjacent muscles.

All too often, I believe that this problem is missed or misdiagnosed, resulting in unnecessary surgery, hip replacement, repetitive chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy and muscle massage, and none of them address the underlying cause of the condition.

Examination for Hip Joint Dysfunction

Place the patient in supine position, with your superior hand holding the ilium to the table with light A-P downward Force (near the ASIS) to ensure the ilium will not rise off the table during motion of the leg. Holding the ilium on the exam table, grasp the ankle and rotate the foot medially. The big toe should touch the table. Full rotation indicates no hip joint dysfunction. If the ilium rises off the table during this action, this indicates improper function of the femoral head/acetabular articulation.

Corrective Procedure

Ascertain (through the examination described above) the side of restriction. Place the patient in lateral Syms position (Syms is performed by having a patient lie on the left side, left leg extended and right leg flexed) as in a side roll. Place your superior hand under the armpit of the patient, holding the humerus and ribs, with your inferior hand reaching over the patient cupping the femoral head. Proceed with the side-roll-type procedure with this exception: The inferior hand (cupping the femoral head) is driven directly forward (anterior).

If correction has been obtained, the leg now should move freely in a medial direction smoothly and completely, with immediate Improvement of pain. Occasionally the patient may experience residual muscle soreness. Over the course of my practice, I have found that these patients have a tendency to walk around for a while with a displaced femoral head and a compensatory walk, the surrounding muscles are sprained and inflamed, and soreness may continue for days until the patient returns to a normal walking gait. Generally, I find the quicker the patient returns to a normal walking gait, the quicker the syndrome is alleviated. I feel it is important to re-address with the patient what is a normal walking gait and this may lengthen the post-correction period.

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Exercises to help with shoulder pain

in Chiropractor  by July 31, 2014 0 comments

Shoulder injuries are very common and at Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Lake Ridge Dale City VA area we see our fair share.   Most of the injuries I see in my chiropractic office are activity related or over use but we also see a significant amount of injuries from things as little as sleeping.  In researching this type of injury it lead me to develop shoulder brace to be worn at night.  I just recently had the sling developed and we were awarded a patent on it a few years ago.  I recommend it for all my patients with pain.  Along with supporting it there are several basic things you can do to also help with pain.  Here are some low tech but effective exercises.

Before attempting any specific shoulder exercises a full and accurate diagnosis of your injury is required. Below we outline the general exercises which should be done in the early, middle and late stages of shoulder rehabilitation as well as shoulder exercises for specific injuries.

The aim of rehabilitation is to reduce initial pain and allow the tissues to heal before regaining range of motion, muscle strength and finally functional or sports specific exercises and co-ordination.

Early stage shoulder exercises

Early stage shoulder rehabilitation begins as soon as the injury has occurred. This is known as the acute stage where the injury is fresh and most likely painful. The aim of shoulder rehabilitation in the acute stage is to allow the tissues to heal, reduce pain and inflammation, begin to regain pain free range of movement, prevent muscle wasting and begin shoulder blade or scapula exercises.

Rest is important for allowing tissues to heal and applying ice, heat or both may be indicated depending on your injury and how old it is. A professional practitioner may apply other techniques such as electrotherapy or massage to aid healing.

Range of motion is re-established with pendulum exercises staying within the pain free range. Pole exercises and manual therapist stretching and mobility can also be done to increase the normal range of motion in the shoulder joint.

Isometric or static exercises should be done to prevent muscle wasting. These are exercises where the muscle is contracted against an immovable resistance such as a wall, held for a short time then relaxed. This type of exercise works the muscles without having to move the joint. Scapular stabilizing exercises should also be done if they can be performed without pain.

Mid stage shoulder exercises

Mid stage shoulder exercises aim to regain full, normal range of movement, improve shoulder blade control and regain normal upper body strength in both sides.

Mid stage exercises can be progressed to once the early stage exercises are comfortable. The patient is ready to move out of the acute stage exercises when active exercises involving movement can be done pain free and range of motion is at least three quarters that of the uninjured shoulder. There is no hard and fast rule that any particular exercises should be early, mid or late. If in doubt consult professional advice.

 

Flexibility is improved by progressing pole or wand exercises, using the pole to increase range of motion in a stretch or exercise. More advanced scapula exercises are performed and strengthening exercises involving movement with resistance bands are used to increase strength.

Late stage shoulder exercises

Late stage shoulder exercises aim to restore full strength to the injured shoulder and begin functional or sports specific exercises that bridge the gap between basic shoulder rehabilitation exercises and normal sports specific training. Medicine balls are used and more rotational, explosive exercise are included which use the combined muscle groups. This will increase the muscle power which is more relevant to sport. Often late stage exercises will become more sports specific and will depend on the requirements of the sport. For example footballers will kick balls, racket sports will involving using rackets but building up gradually in a controlled

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge, VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Sacroiliac Joint Pain

in Chiropractor  by July 28, 2014 0 comments

We see a lot of patients at Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Dale City VA area with complaints of low back pain that is worse on the right or left.  Most people think low back pain is in the center or on the spine and as a chiropractor I see plenty of that.  It can be, but pain along the pant line that is on the right or left is usually the sacroiliac joints.  When people first here that they sometimes have a hard time figuring out what I am talking about.   They have a good idea of what a disc injury or sprain is but the SI joint is a bit of a mystery.   We usually provide our patients with the ACA description of the SI joint and how it can be injured and treated.

Pain in and around the sacroiliac joint is one of the more common causes of low-back pain. With approximately 80 percent of the population suffering from low-back pain at some point in their lives, the sacroiliac joint dysfunction likely represents about 15-25 percent of those cases.

The following points will help you educate your patients about the sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

What Is Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction?

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SJD) is a broad term often applied to pain in the sacroiliac joint region—the largest joints at the base of the spine.

SJD can be painful and debilitating, but it is rarely life-threatening.

SJD rarely requires invasive types of treatment such as surgery.

Symptoms and Causes

SJD symptoms include low-back pain, typically at the belt line, and pain radiating into the buttock or thigh.

These symptoms are hard to distinguish from other causes of low-back pain, such as disc herniations or facet joints disease.

Most often, SJD is caused by trauma. For example, rotation of the joint when lifting or participating in some vigorous activity may cause tears in small ligaments surrounding the joint, resulting in pain and dysfunction.

While more serious conditions such as fracture or dislocation, infection and inflammatory arthritis can cause sacroiliac joint pain, minor trauma is considered a much more common cause.

The risk of SJD may also increase with true and apparent leg-length inequality, abnormalities in gait and prolonged exercise.

Pregnant women may suffer from SJD because of hormone-induced relaxation of the pelvic ligaments during the third trimester, weight gain and increased curvature of the lumbar spine.

Evaluation

Because SJD pain resembles other types of low-back pain, it is often difficult to isolate it as the actual cause of the patient’s discomfort and disability.

Diagnostic imaging procedures, such as X-ray or MRI, aren’t very helpful in evaluating SJD.

The mostcommonly used diagnostic procedures are physical examination and anesthetic blocks of the sacroiliac joint.

Physical examination involves stressing the joint in various body positions and movements.

During anesthetic blocks, a procedure with unproven validity for SJD diagnosis, the anesthetic solution often creeps outside the sacroiliac joint and may relieve pain from other structures.

Treatment

Because it is often difficult to isolate SJD as the source of pain, an appropriate management strategy is hard to implement. Once SJD is determined as the cause of the problem, many therapies are available.

Chiropractic manipulation and mobilization of the sacroiliac joint has been shown to be beneficial.

Exercise focusing on strengthening the core stabilizer muscles of the spine and trunk and on maintaining mobility of the sacroiliac joints can also be helpful.

Patients with a leg-length inequality may benefit from a shoe inserts helping to properly distribute weight borne by your lower back and sacroiliac joints.

For those with abnormal gait biomechanics, gait training may be needed.

To reduce the excess rotation that sometimes occurs with SJD, a pelvic belt can help stabilize the sacroiliac joints.

In cases of fractures and dislocations of the sacroiliac joints, surgery is needed.

Prevention

Use proper lifting techniques and ergonomics during your daily activities.

Maintain a regular exercise program and a healthy diet to help you function at peak capacity and prevent injuries.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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