Tag Archives: lower back pain

Pregnant Woman with Surgical Spinal Rods Helped with Chiropractic

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Do Chiropractors Treat Pregnancy Related Pain? Is Chiropractic Safe with Surgical Rods?

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published an unusual study on March 23, 2017, documenting the case of a pregnant woman with lower back pain being helped by chiropractic. What makes this case unusual is that the woman had previous spinal surgery and had Harrington rods inserted into her spine.

Pregnant Woman with Surgical Spinal Rods Helped with Chiropractic-Austin-TX-Chiropracor-Labor-Delivery-Pregnancy-Low-Back-Pain-Sciatica-Restless-LegsAccording to Wikipedia, the Harrington rod is a stainless steel surgical device that was implanted along the spinal column to treat curvatures of the spine, or scoliosis. Up to one million people had Harrington rods implanted for scoliosis between the early 1960s and the late 1990s.

The study begins by noting that chiropractic care for pregnant women has been a popular occurrence for much of the chiropractic profession’s history. Commonly, women seek chiropractic care to address physical complaints such as pregnancy-related musculoskeletal complaints. However, many pregnant women seek chiropractic for wellness care and to improve the birth experience.

In this case, a 28-year-old woman who was in her 21st week of pregnancy, sought chiropractic care with a chief complaint of shoulder and neck pain, which she attributed to her scoliosis. She had surgery seven years prior for a moderate scoliosis. Harrington rods were inserted into her spine from her second thoracic to her second lumbar vertebrae.

She rated her constant pain as 6 out of 10, with 10 being the worst. She recalled that this episode started when she was lying on her left side and she felt a muscle tightened so tightly that it was pulling on the rods from her scoliosis surgery. Her pain was worse at night and was too painful for her to get a massage. Her left shoulder was restricted and she claimed that she could not lift anything with her left arm. Additionally, she reported that she occasionally suffered with headaches and sinus congestion.

A chiropractic examination was performed, and it was determined that subluxations were present. A series of specific chiropractic adjustments were begun to address the woman’s subluxations. After each adjustment the patient reported a decrease in her pain.

After 13 weeks of chiropractic care, it was reported that the woman’s pain had significantly decreased and was now only a 2 out of 10. Additionally, her posture had improved as had her spinal range of motion. A week later, the patient suffered a fall which caused a minimal increase in her symptoms. Care was continued and she continued to improve in most areas. She delivered a seven pound girl vaginally with minimal assistance.

The complexity of this case, due to the patient’s spinal surgery history, contributed to variations in her symptoms as care was given. Overall, the quality of her life was improved and she was able to deliver a healthy baby. In their conclusion, the study authors summed up this unusual case by stating, “This case report provides supporting evidence on the effectiveness of chiropractic care throughout pregnancy and in particular, pregnant women with surgical rods to address scoliosis.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. Austin chiropractor located in north central Austin, TX.

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First Line of Defense

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There’s an old Chiropractic saying that goes… Adjustments first, drugs second, surgery last. It’s a conservative philosophy of care for those who’d rather give their body a chance to heal naturally first, before calling in the medical cavalry. When it comes to back pain, science is finally in agreement.

prescription to go see the chiropractor atx sciatica musculoskeletal spine low back pain austin tx chiropractic

In 2017, The American College of Physicians developed new guidelines and recommendations for noninvasive care of lower back pain. On the top of that list, before the use of NSAIDs and/or muscle relaxants, are conservative methods like heat, massage or spinal manipulation (we’d rather call it a Chiropractic Adjustment). The study also emphasizes that while pharmacological treatments are easy to prescribe, they all carry varying risks of harm.

Your Chiropractor knows with the right environment (a clear, Subluxation free spine) and TIME, your body can innately recover from just about anything, including simple mechanical back pain. The next time you experience back pain, save yourself an extra step and call the Chiropractor first.  If your MD is up on his or her research, they’ll recommend you do so too.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. Austin chiropractor located in north central Austin, TX.

Source: The American College of Physicians: Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. February 2017: Amir Qaseem, MD, PhD, MHA et.al.

Erectile Dysfunction and Chronic Low Back Pain Helped with Chiropractic

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What is ED? What are Treatments for ED? Can Chiropractic Care Help Erectile Dysfunction?

Published on December 5, 2016, in the journal Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research is a case study of a man who was suffering from lower back pain and erectile dysfunction being helped by chiropractic.

Erectile Dysfunction and Chronic Low Back Pain Helped with Chiropractic-Austin-TX-Chiropractor-Sciatica-Shooting-Leg-Thigh-Buttocks-PainAccording to the study authors, erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as a man’s inability to attain or sustain an erection satisfactory for sexual intercourse. They report that there are two classifications of ED, primary and secondary. Primary ED is a man who has never been able to have an erection, while secondary is the case where a man used to be able to have an erection but is currently unable to.

According to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health website, “About 5 percent of men that are 40 years old have complete erectile dysfunction, and that number increases to about 15 percent of men at age 70. Mild and moderate erectile dysfunction affects approximately 10 percent of men per decade of life (i.e., 50 percent of men in their 50s, 60 percent of men in their 60s).”

In this case, a 47-year-old man went to the chiropractor on three separate occasions for the complaints of lower back problems and neck pain. At those times, he did not report that he had also been suffering from ED since the age of 22 years. He did have a history of spinal trauma at the ages of 16 and 20 years.

An examination performed on this first set of visits to this chiropractor yielded the conclusion that subluxations were present in the man’s spine. Care was given in the form of specific adjustments and the man reported a significant recovery. He thereafter decided not to continue with chiropractic wellness and he discontinue his care.

Several years later, the man returned to the chiropractor again suffering from lower back pain. Once again care was given and the man experienced a significant recovery. This time he was able to resume sports and activities fairly quickly which led to him suffering a neck injury several months later.

Although the man did not share his history of having ED with the chiropractor initially, upon returning for chiropractic care related to his neck injury, the man noticed the correlation between the correction of his ED and the time he was under chiropractic care. Because of this connection, the man continued his chiropractic on a wellness basis and was able to report to the chiropractor that his ED was effectively eliminated while under chiropractic care.

The man commented about his ED improvement by saying, “For a short time after receiving an adjustment it is much easier and highly more likely that (he) will attain and maintain a strong erection.” When asked by the doctor if he will be maintaining his chiropractic care since he has made the connection between that and the improvement in his ED, he commented, “Of course!”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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Woman with Vertigo Helped by Chiropractic

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What is BPPV? Can Chiropractic Help Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo?

On August 25, 2016, a study was published in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research documenting the case of a woman suffering from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo being helped by chiropractic. The term vertigo is often interchanged with dizziness. However, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is more exactly described as a spinning sensation perceived with changes of head position and movement.

woman-with-vertigo-helped-by-chiropractic-austin-tx-chiropractor-for-dizziness-balance-brain-and-cerebellumBPPV is fairly common. The Vestibular Disorders Association reports that this problem occurs in 107 out of 100,000 people per year. Over a lifetime, about 2.4 percent of the population will suffer this condition, which is more common in women than men.

In this case, a 33-year-old female teacher presented herself to the chiropractor. She was suffering with BPPV. According to the woman, her vertigo was constant, aggravated by movement, and she was unable to find relief. She described the feeling like being on a cruise ship all day, and she was nauseous. She was unable to walk fast or make sudden movements without making the problem worse. She was unable to drive and had to be driven to her appointments. The woman also reported that, additionally, she was experiencing neck and lower back pain.

In the preceding seven years, the woman had experienced three prior episodes of vertigo. It was reported that her medical doctor “shook her head” and the vertigo was relieved. When her new episode occurred, her MD prescribed medication which the woman refused to take since she was nursing her baby.

A chiropractic examination was performed consisting of palpation, thermal scans, a surface EMG study, and spinal x-rays. It was determined that vertebral subluxations were present and a program of specific chiropractic adjustment were initiated.

The case study reports that by the third chiropractic visit, the woman was experiencing fewer vertigo episodes. Additionally, her neck and back pain had decreased. The woman continued to improved, and by the fourth visit, she was able to drive herself to the office for her appointment. By the 14th visit, the vertigo had resolved and the woman no longer had any of her original symptoms.

In their conclusion, the authors explain how chiropractic helps patients suffering with vertigo by stating, “The various connections between vertebral subluxation, the vestibular system, and altered neurological responses have been explored. It is therefore suggested that those suffering with vertigo seek chiropractic care before resolving to medication or surgery, as chiropractic adjustments address the cause of neurological dysfunction, rather than masking symptoms.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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Lower Back Pain with Radiating Pain down Leg into Foot Helped with Chiropractic

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What is a Synovial Cyst? Can Chiropractic Care Help Radiating Low Back Pain?

The June 2016 issue of the Chiropractic Journal of Australia published a case study documenting the case of an elderly woman who had been suffering with pain in her lower back and leg being helped with chiropractic. This case was unique due to the woman having an MRI confirming the presence of a synovial cyst in her lower spine.

Lower Back Pain with Radiating Pain Down Leg into Foot Helped with Chiropractic - Austin TX Chiropractor car crash truck semi accident careA synovial cyst is an uncommon occurrence where a cyst or soft tissue lesion forms inside the spinal column just outside the spinal cord. It is usually found in the lower back and is associated with lower back pain with radiating pain into a leg. It is commonly seen with some amount of spinal degeneration, and is more common in elderly patients. When discovered, the most common form of medical care is surgery.

In this case, a retired 76-year-old woman was suffering for the previous 6 months from pain in her buttocks down her right thigh, down her leg into her right foot. She also reported abnormal sensations in her right leg. With ten being the worst, the woman reported that pain as an eight. Standing and walking made her worse while sitting afforded some minimal relief.

A physical examination was performed which included reflexes and observation. An MRI was performed prior to chiropractic care and showed the presence of a synovial cyst along with a mild amount of spinal degeneration in the lower spine.

Initial chiropractic care was begun on the woman followed by supportive care. The study reports that after only a short course of care, the patient reported a complete resolution of her symptoms.

During a six-month follow-up, it was noted that the patient was still symptom free. At this point, a second MRI was performed to check the status of the cyst. The MRI showed that, although the patient was free from the pain, the cyst did not seem to have changed.

The authors noted that this case puts to question whether or not a synovial cyst is the cause of the pain. They stated, “This case report shows that although symptomatic resolution occurred following conservative care, the synovial cyst may not have resolved. This leaves open the question concerning the mechanism of symptom generation in these cases.” They noted the uniqueness of this case and the findings by adding, “This is the first reported case of MR imaging appearances of a lumbar facet synovial cyst pre- and post- successful conservative management resulting in symptomatic resolution.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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Parkinson’s Patient Helped to Live a Better Life with Chiropractic

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Can Chiropractic Care Help Parkinson’s Disease? How Does Chiropractic Care Slow or Stop the Progression of Parkinson’s?

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published a case study on June 1, 2015, documenting a case of a patient with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) being helped over the course of a decade to have an improved quality of life. The authors noted the purpose of this study saying, “In this case study we will add to the small but growing body of evidence that reports on the association between chiropractic care and PD.”

Parkinson's Patient Helped to Live a Better Life with Chiropractic - Austin TX ChiropractorAccording to the WebMD website, “Parkinson’s disease affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. Parkinson’s disease symptoms include muscle rigidity, tremors, and changes in speech and gait. After diagnosis, treatments can help relieve symptoms, but there is no cure.” The authors of this study add that PD affects about one percent of the population over the age of 65.

“PD has a major effect on the quality of life of patients, who gradually lose autonomy and cognitive function. The decline in quality of life proceeds at a rate that is five to seven times faster than the average yearly decline caused by normal aging in individuals without the disease,” state the study authors.

In this study, a 63-year-old man went to the chiropractor seeking relief from his lower back pain. He was also suffering with tremors in his right arm for five years and had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s two years prior. He was on a daily medication for his Parkinson’s. The case history showed that the man’s main complaints related to his PD were tremors in the right hand, gait disturbances in the left leg mainly caused by foot drop, and trouble walking with a loss of balance.

A chiropractic examination was performed including spinal range of motion, neurological and orthopedic tests, and spinal x-rays. The results led to the determination that subluxations of the spine were present. Based on these findings a specific series of chiropractic adjustments were begun.

The patient initially was seen 3 times per week for the first month. After the initial 12 visits the frequency of care was reduced to once per week. The man continued his chiropractic care for another 10 years before the writing of this study.

After 10 years, the now 73-year-old man reported that his PD symptoms had not worsened, but had actually improved since he started chiropractic care. He noted that the tremor in his right hand was not present as often and had not spread to any other part of his body. He reported that he was able to return to playing badminton more easily due to improvements in balance and an improved range of motion.

The study authors point out that this study and others they reviewed showed that some patients with PD had a slow down or stopping of the progression of their disease. They point out this is contrary to medical care alone which can treat the symptoms but does not seem to have any effect on the progression of PD.

“The aim of chiropractic care is to enhance nervous system function so the body is better able to heal itself. In contrast, the medical treatment of Parkinson’s relies on external input,” note the study authors. “The findings in our case study support previous literature which has examined the symptomatic progression, quality of life and neurological function of PD patients under chiropractic care.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson.

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Disc Height Improved with Chiropractic: Case Study

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What Is A Slipped Disc? Can Chiropractic Care Help Disc Degeneration?

Spinal disc degeneration is medically thought to be non-reversible and permanent. However, a documented case study published on April 13, 2015, in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research showed increased disc spaces on a patient due to chiropractic care. Intervetebral discs are important pads between each of the vertebrae that allow movement and absorb shock.  Discs are firmly attached to the edges of the vertebrae and therefore can not “slip” which is a common misconception.

Disc Height Improved with Chiropractic - Austin TX ChiropractorMRI studies show that when discs begin to degenerate there is a loss of water in the center of the disc known as the nucleus. The goal of care for a person with disc degeneration is to re-hydrate the disc.

In this study, a 59-year-old man suffering from lower back pain, went to the chiropractor. His pain also radiated down into the back of his thigh. His lower back had caused problems for 20 years, but had progressively gotten worse over the previous 6 months. His history showed a number of falls and accidents over the last 20 years or so.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included palpation, range of motion, surface EMG, heart rate variability, thermography, and spinal x-rays. The results of the x-rays showed phase two spinal degeneration and curvature changes. From these tests, it was determined that subluxations were present in multiple locations and chiropractic care was begun.

During the course of chiropractic care, the patient noticed considerable improvement in his symptoms.  After four months of care, he reported a complete recovery from his back pain as well as reporting that he was not getting as many colds as before the chiropractic care

Additional re-evaluations were performed and improvement was noticed in all the test results. Follow-up x-rays showed an improvement in the man’s spinal curvatures with multiple areas of his spine starting to correct toward more normal curves. The man’s disc heights were measured on both his initial and follow-up x-rays. The dates on the x-rays were blocked out so the examiner would not know if he or she was looking at the first or second set of x-rays. The comparison, after the measurements were made, showed that the patient’s second set of x-rays had a measurable increase in disc height at several levels of his spine.

The increase in disc height shows evidence of regeneration of the intervertebral disc. In their conclusion the authors wrote, “The patient reported a complete remittance of low back pain concomitant with increased disc height at multiple levels and improved autonomic function.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson.

Chiropractic Adjustments Better Than Self-Manipulation: Study Shows

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Is It Okay To “Crack” My Own Back? Can I Adjust Myself?

A common question from patients in a chiropractic office is, “Can I adjust myself?”  A study published on April 22, 2015, in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research demonstrates that self-manipulation of the spine is not as effective as a specifically given chiropractic adjustment.

The study begins by pointing out that forms of spinal manipulation have been used in the treatment of lower back pain by many different types of practitioners. The study authors stated the purpose of the study by saying, “It is hypothesized that self-manipulation of the lumbar spine, without the utilization of an experienced practitioner, can result in therapeutic benefits but can also cause instability and chronic low back pain.”

Chiropractic Adjustments Better Than Self-Manipulation - Austin TX ChiropractorThe authors report that prior to this study there have been no scientific studies showing that self-manipulation is either beneficial or harmful. They note that there has been much research on the benefits of spinal manipulation for those suffering from back pain. The difficulty in a study of self-manipulation is that there is a wide variety of variables in self-rendered care of any kind.

In the specific case documented for this study, a 17-year-old boy came to the chiropractor suffering from chronic lower back pain that he had been experiencing for over a year. The boy was very active in sports and his problem may have coincided with a weightlifting injury he sustained near the time his problems started to appear.
The boy was treated with pain medications and injections, but these provided little help.  As a result, he resorted to self-manipulation of his lumbar spine. Multiple times per day, the boy would twist his body to create tension in his lumbar spine resulting in a popping sound in his lower back. This procedure seemed to create some relief and an increased range of motion. He would perform this self-manipulation as frequently as every 20-30 minutes every day in order to get relief.

 

Upon going to the chiropractor, the boy was instructed to discontinue the self-manipulation. A chiropractic examination with x-rays was performed to evaluate the boy’s condition. The examination did show that several segments of the boy’s lower spine was less movable than normal, while the entire area of the spine was more movable than normal. This was probably the result of the self-manipulation.

Chiropractic care was begun at the rate of 3 visits per week for 3 months. Adjustments were given to the areas of the boy’s spine that were less movable. The results reported in the study showed that the boy improved significantly from the chiropractic care with a reduction in his back pain. Additionally, there was an increased  stability of his spine due to the chiropractic care without the self-manipulation.

In their conclusion the authors wrote that specific chiropractic adjustments are different from self-manipulation in several ways including safety, specificity, and effectiveness. They note that while self-manipulation can produce similar popping sounds in the spine, the effects of a specific, “…chiropractic adjustment cannot be reproduced without the expertise of a skilled practitioner.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson.

Infertility Helped with Chiropractic: A Case Study

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Why Can’t I Get Pregnant? Can Chiropractic Care Help Infertility?

A case study published in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research on April 27, 2015, documented the case of a woman who was struggling with infertility being able to become pregnant due to receiving chiropractic care.

Infertility Helped with Chiropractic - Austin TX ChiropractorThe study authors report that as many as one in six couples may need to seek help from a specialist because of the inability to conceive.  They also report that it is generally accepted that one in four women are affected by infertility lasting up to 29 months.

In this case, a 27-year-old woman who worked as a bank teller came to the chiropractor after suffering from lower back pain for years. She also had complaints of occasional neck and mid-back pain after activities such as lifting. In addition, she would occasionally suffer from headaches when waking up, sinus problems, left wrist pain with numbness, frequent sore throats, and dizziness.

Her history revealed that she had been medically diagnosed with infertility and was taking several prescription medications given by her medical doctor. She had been under medical care for 6 months with no help for her infertility. She reported having several types of accidents years prior, and her first child had been born via cesarean.

A chiropractic examination consisting of palpation, range of motion, and spinal x-rays was performed to determine the presence of vertebral subluxations. It was determined that subluxations were present in multiple areas of her spine and a course of specific chiropractic adjustments was begun to correct the subluxations.

The patient was initially seen three times per week, which was reduced to twice per week later in care. Specific types of adjustments were used depending on the findings of that particular visit and the original x-ray findings.

The study records that the patient conceived after approximately 19 chiropractic adjustments. She also noted improvement in many of her additional symptoms and continued with her care through pregnancy.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson.