Chiropractor - Doroski Chiropractic Neurology, Woodbridge, VA

Frozen shoulder is a common diagnosis but what is it…

in Chiropractor by Doroski June 16, 2014 0 comments

Shoulder pain is something a lot of my patients suffer from. At Doroski Chiropractic Neurolgy in Woodbridge Va we see all sorts of different types of shoulder pain. Some are local to the joint and some are a referral from someplace else. The referred pain is one of the harder things for patients to understand. They come in for shoulder pain and leave with a cervical diagnosis. But in the end the pain generally improves. One of the most common types of shoulder pain we see is frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis.

Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. Signs and symptoms typically begin gradually, worsen over time and then resolve, usually within one or two years. One of the biggest causes of this disorder is a lack of use. The lack of use could come from the arm being immobilized due to another injury or also just as common is just not moving it as much. One way people know they have it is one morning they notice they can no longer comb the back of their hair, scratch their own back or reach in to the back seat.

What causes the shoulder to feel frozen is the bones, ligaments and tendons that make up your shoulder joint are encased in a capsule of connective tissue. Frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint, restricting its movement.

Most times it can be diagnosed by the patient’s own description but there are a few tests that are don to make sure it is frozen shoulder. The most common tests mainly check the shoulder ROM.

1 Hands up. Raise both your hands straight up in the air, like a football referee calling a touchdown.

2 Opposite shoulder. Reach across your chest to touch your opposite shoulder.

3 Back scratch. Starting with the back of your hand against the small of your back, reach upward to touch your opposite shoulder blade.

Your doctor may also ask you to relax your muscles while he or she moves your arm for you. This test can help distinguish between frozen shoulder and a rotator cuff injury.

Frozen shoulder can usually be diagnosed from signs and symptoms alone. But your doctor may suggest imaging tests — such as X-rays or an MRI — to rule out other structural problems.

Once it is diagnosed there are many none invasive treatments that can be done to improve the shoulder ROM and decrease the pain. At Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in Woodbridge VA we have a very high success rate in treating this disorder. Call today for an appointment!

+scottdoroski3122/posts

+doroskichiropractic3122/posts

Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

Map Link

Low back pain and lumbar supports.

in Chiropractor by Doroski June 12, 2014 0 comments

We hear it all the time at Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in Woodbridge VA… “Don’t worry Doc I have a back brace I wear while I am at work.” Just because you are wearing one doesn’t mean you are free from harming your back and does wearing one incorrectly even help. No one really thinks about wearing one correctly you figure it is a belt how can I do it wrong. Well I can tell you from personal experience you can do a lot of things wrong that you figured there really is only one way to do it. Take running for example. A few years ago I got in to running and figured I have been doing this for years “I think I got this.” It always feels good busting your butt getting ready for your first half marathon and at mile two the person you signed up to do it with, but never ran with, who happens to be a track coach goes “wow you are doing it wrong.” I bet after each run your shins are killing you and your back is tight. Why yes it is. Yea try doing this this and this. Next thing you know you are running easier and faster. So trust me just being handed a back brace doesn’t mean “you got this.”

So let me give you some background on back braces and do they really help.

The truth is that wearing an elastic or other support around your waist to help your back may be both good and bad. And whether wearing such a back belt will prevent back problems is controversial. A new study that found workers who routinely wear these support belts while working at Wal-Mart, were just as likely to injure their backs as those who did not.(1) However, some previous studies have shown back belts to prevent injuries, such as the UCLA study conducted with Home Depot workers, which found a 1/3 decrease in back injuries due to wearing back belts.(2)

Let’s look at the scientific evidence about whether back belts might help to support the back, whether there are any risks associated with wearing them, and whether such belts should be recommended or not.

How might back belts help to support the back? They do not hold the back in, as many presume. Back belts function primarily to hold the stomach in, thus increasing intra-abdominal pressure. This has led some to refer to these belts as abdominal belts rather than as back belts. But how does increasing intra-abdominal pressure support the spine? We will briefly review the intra-abdominal balloon theory and a more modern theory.

Intra-Abdominal Balloon Mechanism

It was originally proposed by Bartelink in 1957 that increased intra-abdominal pressure would decrease the compressive load on the spine through the intra-abdominal balloon mechanism.(3) To begin with, you must think of the abdominal cavity and the abdominal organs as a squishy liquid. Then realize that the abdominal cavity becomes a closed chamber when we bear down and hold our breath, which we instinctively do when we lift heavy things. This chamber is closed on the bottom by the anal sphincter and on the top by the diaphragm. When bearing down, the abdominal contents tend to push outwards. But if we contract our deep abdominal muscles—the obliques and the transverse abdominus muscles—or we wear a thick belt, the abdominal contents are forced upwards rather than outwards.(4 p.109) This theoretically provides a decompressive effect on the lumbar spine. Since the crura of the diaphragm is attached to the first 3 lumbar vertebrae, when the diaphragm is pushed upwards, it exerts a traction force on the lower lumbar spine (L4 and L5). It was also theorized that since this balloon mechanism makes the spine more rigid, it would decrease the amount of work required of the erector muscles to prevent us from falling forwards. Kapanji estimated that this abdominal support mechanism acts to reduce compression forces on the L5/S1 disc by 30% and reduces the force required by the erector spinae muscles by 55%. (4, p.198).

But more recent scientific evidence fails to support some of these theoretical assumptions. Such recent studies reveal that an increase in intra-abdominal pressure actually results in an increase (rather than a decrease) in compressive force on the lower spine.(5,6) And there is no decrease in the amount of work required of the lower back muscles.(7) However, by stiffening the trunk, increased intra-abdominal pressure may prevent the tissues in the spine from strain or failure from buckling. Such intra-abdominal pressure may also act to reduce anterior-posterior shear loads.(8) In other words, support for the spine is provided, without reducing compression to any appreciable degree.

Belts may also help to protect the spine by limiting the range of motion that occurs when bending or twisting, though this effect is less than expected.(9,10) However, since when the spine bends more, it is more vulnerable to injury, if these belts reduce extreme bending at all, they may be beneficial.

Are there any risks associated with wearing a back belt?

The main risk associated with wearing a back belt is that during the period of wearing it, the supportive spinal muscles—the deep abdominal and back muscles—that normally support your spine will become weaker. These muscles are less active while your spine is being artificially supported by the belt. Muscles need to be consistently exercised in order to stay strong. If these muscles become weaker, when you stop wearing the belt, you may be more likely to hurt your back. And at least one study seems to suggest this. In this study, there was an increase in the number and severity of back injuries following a period of belt wearing.(11)

Another risk associated with wearing a back belt is that it causes an increase in both blood pressure and heart rate.(12) This may pose a problem for those individuals with existing cardiovascular disease or risk factors, such as hypertension.

A third risk associated with wearing a back belt is that workers may be inclined to lift heavier objects while wearing them. These belts may be giving workers a false sense of security. This could result in an increased risk of injury.

REFERENCES:

Wassell JT, Gardner LI, Landsittel DP, Johnston JJ, Johnston JM. A prospective study of back belts for prevention of back pain and injury. JAMA. 2000; 284(21): 2727-32.

McIntyre DR; Bolte KM; Pope MH. Study provides new evidence of back belts’ effectiveness. Occup Health Saf. 1996; 65(12): 39-41.

Bartelink DL, “The Role of Abdominal Pressure in Relieving Pressure on the Lumbar Intervertebral Discs,” J Bone Joint Surg, (Br) 1957, 39B: 718-725.

Kapanji, IA. The Physiology of the Joints, Vol. III.

McGill SM, Norman RW. Reassessment of the role of intra-abdominal pressure in spinal compression. Ergonomics. 1987; 30: 1565-1588.

Nachemson AL, Anderson GBJ, Schultz AB. Valsalva maneuver biomechanics. Effects on lumbar spine trunk loads of elevated intrabdominal pressures. Spine. 1986; 11: 476-479.

McGill S, Norman RW, Sharatt MT. The effect of an abdominal belt on trunk muscle activity and intra-abdominal pressure during squat lifts. Ergonomics. 1990; 33:147-160.

McGill S. Abdominal belts in industry: A position paper on their assets, liabilities and use. Am Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 1993; 54(12): 752-754.

Lantz SA, Schultz AB. Lumbar spine orthosis wearing I. Restriction of gross body motion. Spine. 1986; 11: 834-837.

McGill SM, Sequin JP, Bennett G. Passive stiffness of the lumbar torso in flexion, extension, lateral bend and axial twist: The effect of belt wearing and breath holding. Spine. 1994; 19(19): 2190-2196.

Reddell CR, Congleton JJ, Huchinson RD, Mongomery JF. An evaluation of a weightlifting belt and back injury prevention training class for airline baggage handlers. Appl. Ergonomics. 1992; 23: 319-329.

Hunter GR, McGuirk J, Mitrano N, et al. The effects of a weight training belt on blood pressure during exercise. J Appl Sport Sci Res. 1989; 3: 13-18.

+scottdoroski3122/posts

+doroskichiropractic3122/posts

Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

Maplink

Low back pain and your weight.

in Chiropractor by Doroski June 9, 2014 0 comments

We see quite a few patients at Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in Woodbridge VA that are overweight and have low back pain. Many aren’t aware that the weight can be causing the low back pain. Although there haven’t been any direct studies that show excess weight cause low back pain we do know that the excess weight puts you at a higher risk for joint pain and muscle strain. Excess weight can also cause fatigue and shortness of breath. This can lead to a decreased exercise level which can weaken the low back leading to pain as well.

According to the American Obesity Association, episodes of musculoskeletal pain, and specifically back pain, are prevalent among the nearly one-third of Americans who are classified as obese.2 The American Obesity Association also reports that more obese persons say they are disabled and less able to complete everyday activities than persons with other chronic conditions.1

Some of the most common obesity-related problems include musculoskeletal and joint related pain.1 For people who are overweight, attention to overall weight loss is important as every pound adds strain to the muscles and ligaments in the back. In order to compensate for extra weight, the spine can become tilted and stressed unevenly. As a result, over time, the back may lose its proper support and an unnatural curvature of the spine may develop.

In particular, pain and problems in the low back may be aggravated by obesity. This occurs for people with extra weight in their stomachs because the excess weight pulls the pelvis forward and strains the lower back, creating lower back pain. According to the American Obesity Association, women who are obese or who have a large waist size are particularly at risk for lower back pain.1

Obese or overweight patients may experience sciatica and low back pain from a herniated disc. This occurs when discs and other spinal structures are damaged from having to compensate for the pressure of extra weight on the back.

In addition, pinched nerves and piriformis syndrome may result when extra weight is pushed into spaces between bones in the low back area.3

Arthritis of the spine that causes back pain may be aggravated when extra body weight strains joints. Those patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 25 are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than those with a lower BMI. The American Obesity Association recommends modest weight loss as a treatment for some types of osteoarthritis.2

The effectiveness of back surgery may also be affected by a patient’s weight. Obese patients are at higher risk for complications and infections after surgery compared to patients who are not obese.2 For seriously overweight patients, paying attention to weight loss before undergoing back surgery may improve the healing process after surgery.

Identifying the Need for Weight Loss

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure commonly used by medical practitioners. BMI is a mathematical formula (BMI=kg/m2) that takes into account a person’s weight in kilograms and height in meters and calculates a number. The higher a person’s BMI falls on a pre-determined range of values, the higher the likelihood for obesity. Although there is some debate over the specific meaning of BMI measurements, a BMI of 30 or higher is typically considered to be obese, while a measure of 25 to 29.9 is typically considered to be overweight.4

It is also important to evaluate where excess fat is carried on the patient’s body. Patients who carry more weight around their midsection are at greater risk for obesity-related health problems, such as low back pain. Weight loss for health considerations is often advisable for women with a waist measurement of more than 35 inches or men with a waist measurement of more than 40 inches.4

References

1 American Obesity Association. “Health effects of obesity.” AOA Fact Sheets. 2002.

2 American Obesity Association. “What is obesity?” AOA Fact Sheets. 2002.

3 Fishman L., Ardman C. Back Pain: How to Relieve Low Back Pain and Sciatica. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1997: 248.

4 National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases. “Understanding adult obesity.” 2001. http://win.niddk.nih.gov.

+scottdoroski3122/posts

+doroskichiropractic3122/posts

Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

Map Link

Low back pain can be prevented.

in Chiropractor by Doroski June 5, 2014 0 comments

Low Back Pain can be prevented. Here are some of the things we do at Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in Woodbridge VA that can help. These tips should help you prevent some general low back issues that lots of people experience. Visit us at Doroskichiropractic.com for other blog tips and to schedule an appointment.

Low back pain is very common and I see it all the time in my office. One of the common things I hear is something completely benign caused it. Granted we see a lot of traumatic injuries that you would assume would cause low back pain. Such as digging a hole, falling off the roof, working doing repetitive twisting or anything strenuous. People don’t generally think twice when they hurt their back doing those activities. They may wish they hadn’t but to have back pain following those things isn’t unusual. It is the injuries associated with sneezing, that big morning stretch, bending over to grab an empty dog food bowl… These are the injuries that always make the patient scratch their head. Unfortunately, it is not the event that really caused the injury. It is the 4 weeks of back stiffness that they ignored before the injury. Usually when I ask they go yea it was stiff, or yea I just had a long car ride, or I put in new baseboards BUT it was ok after that. Odds are it really wasn’t but you were just dealing with it.

When your low back is tight for a long period of time it is a ticking time bomb. The muscles are continually pulling on the pelvis and lumbar joints until that one weird movement and the entire thing falls apart. Unfortunately, this injury is harder to fix then the guy who fell off the roof, mainly because the rest of his back hasn’t had a few weeks to compensate for the low back tightness. I always stress to my patients that spending a few minutes in the morning and at the end of the day stretching their low back will make a world of difference. That and staying hydrated will help keep the muscle from tightening up.

Here are some daily stretches you can do to keep your back stretched and relaxed so the muscles function correctly.

1. The Deep Squat

Stand up straight with your arms folded across your chest. Place your feet shoulder-width apart and toes pointing out slightly. Squat down as far as you can, keeping your heels on the floor. As you squat ensure your weight goes into your heels and not your toes. For a full range of movement, your bum should sit down by your heels and your head should be tall and looking forward. Perform the exercise slowly when lowering down, giving yourself time to keep control and lower all the way – or as far as your range of movement will allow. Pause for a count of two at the bottom of the squat, allowing your groin area to relax. Your knees should be directed slightly outwards in alignment with your feet. Keeping your knees out, squeeze your gluteals and stand up out of the squat. Only go as far as you can without any pain. As you perform the exercise regularly you will slowly but surely be able to achieve greater flexibility. Do this for 2 sets of 10.

2. Knee to Chest

Lie on your back, flex your knees up and do a pelvic tilt so you press your lower back flat to the floor. Slowly and gently pull your right knee to your chest at a slight angle towards your left shoulder. Hold for 5 seconds and release back to the bent position. Then repeat with the opposite leg. Do this 10 times in alternating fashion

3. Downward Dog

Place your hands and feet on the floor, shoulder-width apart, knees bent and hips high. Your heels should be off the floor at this point. Relax your head and neck so you are looking towards your knees. Do a pelvic tilt so your lower back is arched and your spine is straight. Now straighten your arms and pull your shoulder blades together. Straighten your knees as well. You may lose the arch in your low back but don’t allow your lumbar spine to flex. This will require a good abdominal squeeze to maintain the lumbar arch. Hold for 30 seconds and relax. Repeat 5 times.

4. Spine twists

Sit down with your legs loosely crossed. Pull your back up tall and stick your chest out so that you are sitting upright with perfect posture. Fold your arms across your chest. Tighten your abs so that your pelvis is stable. Then slowly turn your head and shoulders to one side. Turn as far as you can and you will feel the stretch in the rib area. Hold the end position for a count of two and then turn across to the other side and repeat. Perform two sets of 10 repetitions each side.

Do not force any of these exercises and if you feel any discomfort stop. Keeping your low back stretched will help you prevent some low back injuries but routine chiropractic visits with these stretches can help prevent the big injuries. Of course injuries are inevitable but if your try to prevent the preventable ones you can eliminate a lot of pain from your life.

+scottdoroski3122/posts

+doroskichiropractic3122/posts

Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

Maplink

Neck pain and headaches

in Chiropractor by Doroski June 3, 2014 0 comments

Neck pain and headache tips are given by Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in Woodbridge VA. Dr Doroski has 18 year experience treating neck pain and other chiropractic complaints. .

Neck pain and headaches are linked more often than you would think. Most people think they have a headache and it is local to the head. Further investigation could find the cause being your neck. There are two major types of headaches: Migraines (which we all seem to know about) and cervicogenic. Most people assume a really bad headache is just a migraine. This isn’t always the case and more often than not the headache is coming from the upper neck region. This is the reason migraine medication doesn’t work on these headaches.

Getting the headaches properly diagnosed will help people properly treat them. I see tons of patients who come in with “migraines.” They explain the entire headache. It starts in the back of my neck then shoots into my head. By this point they are taking their medication but it never seems to work. Then they sit in a dark room and try and ride out the “migraine.”

Visiting Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in Woodbridge VA is a great place to start to get the headaches properly diagnosed. If that isn’t possible check out a local chiropractor who can help you properly diagnose the headache. The headache could be what is called a cervicogenic headache. Sound scary but it is treatable and generally chiropractic care is the place to begin.

By definition a cervicogenic headache is any headache which is caused by the neck. The term ‘cervicogenic’ simply refers the cervical area, which is a part of your spine located right near the base of the skull. The pain of cervicogenic headache is usually unilateral; it originates in the neck and then spreads to the oculofrontal-temporal areas of the head. The headache initially presents as intermittent episodes and then progresses to an almost continuous pain. Pain may be triggered or exacerbated by neck movement or a particular neck position; it can also be triggered by applying pressure over the ipsilateral upper part of the back of the neck or the ipsilateral occipital region. If this sounds like your headache visiting a Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in Woodbridge Virginia may help.

There are some simple things you can do at home to help prevent the headaches if you can’t get to a chiropractor.

Relaxation

Heat or cool the head and neck

Mobilizing

Postural exercise

Improve your computer work station ergonomics (see our tips on this in other blogs at doroskichiropractic.com)

Of course if the headaches are severe enough and none of your home therapies are working do not hesitate to contact your Doctor. Headaches could be a symptom of a more serious problem and your Doctor will be able to do further testing or imaging to rule out more serious conditions.

+scottdoroski3122/posts

+doroskichiropractic3122/posts

Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

Map link

Upper Back Pain

in Chiropractor by Doroski May 28, 2014 0 comments

Upper back pain tips from Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in Woodbridge Virginia.

Upper back pain can be caused by a few different things but posture plays a big role in how your upper back feels. It is one of the few types of back pain that you actually have a little control over. The problem is so many of our normal daily tasks put us in postures that can cause the pain to persist. Here are some of the potential causes of upper back pain. Some are mild and predictable while others are something to be more concerned about.

1. Repetitive stress and overuse are one of the most common ways to get upper back pain.

2. Poor Posture. In our blog at DoroskiChiropractic.com we discuss ways to set up your work station to prevent these problems.

3. General muscle pain and fibromyalgia tends to be very common in this are also.

There are also the predicable causes of upper back pain such as lifting something to heavy, sports injuries, car accidents and overall trauma. These are injuries that don’t leave you guessing as to why your upper back is sore.

Most of the above listed complaints are self-limiting and can be treated by your chiropractor.

Other conditions such as arthritis, fracture, scoliosis, degeneration, fracture, and dis injuries can cause upper back pain and can be co-treated with your chiropractor but they may also need an orthopedic consult if they fail to improve.

No matter what the cause pain in your upper back is very common and starting at your local chiropractor can sometimes eliminate the complaint completely.

Visit our Woodbridge location at:

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

+scottdoroski

+doroskichiropractic

Foot pain…. what it can be and some home fixes

in Chiropractor by Doroski May 21, 2014 0 comments

Tips on managing plantar fascitis from Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in Woodbridge Virginia. Dr Scott Doroski is the only chiropractor in Woodbridge VA with a Neurology diplomate.

Visit our office at:

3122 Golansky Blvd, ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22191

703 730 9588

Home Treatments

Initially rest. Sounds easy but for runners it isn’t that easy. Next is ice for 15-20 minutes 4 -5 times a day. Put your foot up and ice it… Using arch supports in your shoes and doing stretching exercises may also help to relieve pain.

If your medical Doctor hasn’t given you a reason not to use NSAIDS talk with him about getting some. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen (i.e. Motrin or Advil) and naproxen (i.e. Aleve), are often used to reduce inflammation in the ligament.

Medical Treatments

If home treatments and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs don’t ease the pain, an injection of a corticosteroid directly into the damaged section of the ligament can be given. Your doctor can do this in his or her office. Your doctor may use an ultrasound device to help determine the best place for the injection. Corticosteroids can also be administered on the skin of your heel or the arch of your foot, and then a painless electrical current is applied to let the steroid pass through your skin and into the muscle.

Physical therapy is an important part of treatment for planter fasciitis. It can help stretch your plantar fascia and Achilles tendons. A physical therapist can also show you exercises to strengthen your lower leg muscles, helping to stabilize your walk and lessen the workload on your plantar fascia.

If pain continues and other methods aren’t working, your doctor may recommend extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Sound waves are bombarded against your heel to stimulate healing within the ligament. This treatment can result in bruises, swelling, pain, and numbness, and has not been proven to be consistently effective in relieving symptoms.

The most dramatic therapy, used only in cases where pain is very severe, is surgery. The plantar fascia can be partially detached from the heel bone, but the arch of the foot is weakened and full function may be lost. Another surgery involves lengthening the calf muscle, a process called gastrocnemius recession.

Braces and Supports

Night splints are another treatment that can help stretch your calf and the arch of your foot. Night splints are a type of brace that holds your foot in a flexed position and lengthens the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon overnight. This can prevent morning pain and stiffness.

Special orthotics, or arch supports, for your shoes may help alleviate some of the pain by distributing pressure, and can prevent further damage to the plantar fascia. A boot cast may be used to immobilize your foot and reduce strain while the plantar fascia heals. A boot cast looks like a ski boot and can be removed for bathing.

For more information about our Woodbridge VA office and Doctor visit:

+scottdoroski3122/posts

+doroskichiropractic3122/posts

chiropractorinwoodbridgeva.blogspot.com

Pain in the neck and arm may not be a disc injury

in Chiropractor by Doroski May 15, 2014 0 comments

Dr Scott Doroski is the only Chiropractor in Woodbridge Virginia with a Diplomate in Neurology. Visit him at his Woodbridge VA location:

3122 Golansky Blvd. Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

Pain into the arm or shoulder area with associated neck pain may not be the dreaded disk injury everyone is afraid of. It could be an injury called thoracic outlet syndrome. It sounds scary but it is quite common and can be fixed with the proper non-surgical treatments.

The thoracic outlet is a passageway for the nerves and blood vessels into your arm. It is located in the upper chest area. It is made of a boney and muscular opening. So anything that causes anyone of those structures to become enlarged can compromise the opening. The most common and most treatable is a muscle spasm that caused the muscle to swell.

Since we are not hollow creatures everything is touching everything. So a spasm of the neck support musculature can push the tissue forward which then pushes in to the opening. This spasm is most notable by neck pain and upper shoulder blade pain. It can be associated with pain in the neck and arm when turning the head towards the side of the pain. Sometimes turning away from the painful side can actually decrease the neck pain and the referral.

A chiropractor can diagnose this injury from a disk injury and apply the proper treatment. The treatment usually involves heat, electrical stimulation, stretching and trigger point therapy. Once the muscle is relaxed manipulation of the spine can also help.

Also visit us at

chiropractorinwoodbridgeva.blogspot.com

+scottdoroski3122/posts

Crook in the neck… just steal something and leave me alone

in Chiropractor by Doroski May 13, 2014 0 comments

Doroski Chiropractic in Woodbridge, VA. Few Chiropractors in Woodbridge Virginia have continuing education diplomates and Dr Doroski is the only Chiropractor of Neurology.

Crook in the neck! Don’t you just wish it would steal something and leave you alone! But no… it hangs out and annoys you and can eventually make your arm tingle. The muscle is the levator scapulae. If you can’t get to your chiropractor here is a safe stretch you can do at home that may help short term. Start with a hot shower to warm the muscle up.

The muscle runs from the top medial part of your shoulder blade up in to your neck. So the way to stretch it is to separate those two structures. You can do the stretch standing or sitting.

1. Lengthen the muscle by raising the elbow above the shoulder on the side to stretch.

2. In this position, first rest the elbow against a door jamb. This rotates the outside of shoulder blade up and the inside of it down, which lengthens the levator scapula muscle.

3. Second, turn the head away from the side that is stretching and bring the chin down, stretching the back of the neck .

4. Third, place the fingers of the other hand on the top of the head and gently pull the head forward increasing the stretch slightly.

Hold this for about 30 seconds to a minute.

If this helps great you got some relief before going to your chiropractor. If they didn’t call for an appointment because it won’t usually improve on its own.

+scottdoroski

Doroski Chiropractic

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

How to start exercising correctly!

in Chiropractor by Doroski May 9, 2014 0 comments

Doroski Chiropractic in Woodbridge, VA. Few Chiropractors in Woodbridge Virginia have continuing education diplomates and Dr Doroski is the only Chiropractor of Neurology.

You want to start to work out but where to begin and how? Here are some thing to think about and do before starting.

Start with a personal trainer. Some of the gym machines can be intimidating and start out by using the correctly.
Warm up. Light stretching and some cardio to get the blood pumping is always a great idea.
Hydrate! Your muscles need water to function correctly and are less likely to spasm.
Mix up your routine. Once you learn five or six exercises for a muscle group do different activities each time to keep the muscles guessing.
You aren’t 18 anymore. What you did in high school doesn’t apply now.
Get proper equipment! Good running shoes and some lifting gloves can go a long way to making exercise enjoyable and a great way to avoid injuries.
Feed your body! It is hard to starve yourself and work out. Make sure you are getting the proper nutrition. Talk to a nutritionist about your goals. The guy in the locker room doesn’t count.
Don’t forget cardio! An even mix of cardio and weight and training will go a long way towards not getting hurt
Don’t “walk it off.” If you hurt something go see someone. Chiropractors are a great at helping you prevent injuries and help keep your body functioning at its best.

+scottdoroski

Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbrdige VA 22192