The spine's facet joints connect vertebral bodies and facilitate smooth gliding motion for healthy pain-free movement, and a diagnosis of facet joint arthropathy means arthritis and inflammation are affecting the spinal joints. Facet joint arthropathy is a common component of the spine's overall degenerative process known as spondylosis. Spondylosis refers to...
The spine's health and function is shaped by its healthy curves and alignment. If the spine shifts out of alignment, its balance, stability, and function can be disrupted, and disruptions to spinal health can affect overall health in a number of ways. Vertebral subluxations are changes in the position of vertebral bodies that affect the spine's alignment and can...
The health of the cervical spine is important. The neck has to support the weight of the head, facilitate a wide range of motion, and acts as the bridge between the brain, the spine, and the rest of the body. If there is muscle and ligament laxity surrounding the spine, the vertebrae can experience excessive movement due to a lack of support, potentially causing pain...
Sciatic nerve pain can have a number of causes from degenerative changes within the spine, most often involving the intervertebral discs, to the presence of an underlying spinal condition like scoliosis. Sciatica pain can range from mild and intermittent to chronic and disruptive; for long-term pain relief, treatment that addresses the underlying cause of the...
A healthy spine will be aligned, strong, and flexible, and while each spinal section has unique roles to play in the spine's overall biomechanics, the health of the individual sections are interrelated. A flexible thoracic spine is necessary for mobility, and strength is needed to prevent injury and handle mechanical stress.” The thoracic spine protects the...
The effects of scoliosis can be widespread, but they don't have to be with a proactive customized treatment plan. Although scoliosis is progressive, many cases are highly treatable, and while there are no treatment guarantees, the sooner treatment is started, the better. Rib flare is closely associated with thoracic scoliosis as the thoracic spine attaches to the...
While disc herniation and nerve compression often occur together, they can also develop independently of one another. Disc herniation can cause a pinched nerve, but a pinched nerve won't cause disc herniation, and nerve compression can also have several other causes. A pinched nerve in the back involves excessive pressure (compression) impacting the nerve's...
Hip joint pain can develop for a number of reasons, and the first step to long-term pain relief is determining the underlying cause of the hip pain. From disc issues to scoliosis, the sciatic nerve can become irritated and painful for a number of reasons. Hip pain and sciatica are connected. The sciatic nerve starts in the lower back and passes through the hip...
The spine has many moving parts that work together to facilitate its optimal strength and function, including its intervertebral discs and surrounding muscles. A healthy spine will have its natural curves in place, its discs will be healthy, and its surrounding muscles will be strong and balanced. Back pain can be caused by structural issues within the spine,...
Scoliosis is a spinal condition, but its effects aren't isolated to the spine; scoliosis can also affect the spine's surrounding muscles, nerves, and the entire body. As a progressive condition, it's important to understand that symptoms can increase over time. Scoliosis introduces a lot of uneven forces to the spine and body. Particularly common with thoracic...
Not all scoliosis patients will experience pain, but as a progressive condition, the severity and effects of scoliosis can change over time. The potential benefits of massage for scoliosis patients are limited to short-term pain relief, but when chiropractic adjustments are scoliosis-specific and combined with additional nonsurgical treatment modalities, long-term...
Back pain is the main complaint bringing patients in to see a chiropractor. The type of chiropractic treatment, and its frequency, will depend on the issue and goal of care. For general back pain, general chiropractic care may help, but for spinal conditions like scoliosis, a scoliosis-specific chiropractor is necessary. Chiropractors are healthcare professionals...