Neck and Disc Pain
Patient Information
A patient in his mid-40s, described as a very active athlete, came in for evaluation of ongoing neck and arm symptoms.
Symptoms
The patient presented with neck pain and arm pain radiating down the right arm. The pain had been going on for several months. He had tried stretching on his own and taking ibuprofen without any improvement. Looking up made the pain worse. He initially thought it was tennis elbow, since the pain in his arm, shoulder blade, and upper back was worsening with activity. He was limited in any activity, couldn’t work out or sleep, and experienced constant numbness going down his arm.
Diagnosis
An MRI was recommended, which revealed multiple disc herniations (bulging or slipped discs pressing on nearby nerves) in his neck. Further testing with palpation of his neck reproduced the pain going down his arm and made it worse.
Treatments
The patient received chiropractic adjustments to take pressure off the nerve. We also used a cervical traction technique to gently stretch the neck. He was guided on sitting and sleeping postures, especially while working at a computer. Home stretches and guidance on proper ergonomics were also given.
Outcome
The numbness in his elbow gradually decreased. Within 6 to 8 weeks, he was feeling no more numbness or tingling. He was able to get back to biking and working out without further problems.
Patient Information
A retired patient in her early 70s came in after being referred by her hairdresser, who was also our patient.
Symptoms
She presented with neck pain and arm pain radiating down the right arm, along with weakness. This had been going on for several months. She had tried physical therapy and pain management. Neck surgery had eventually been recommended. Her pain made it difficult to even get her hair washed. Looking up made the pain worse. In the beginning, she had constant pain and numbness down to her hand and was experiencing weakness in grip strength. She couldn’t sleep or do her hair without pain or numbness.
Diagnosis
X-rays showed significant degeneration in her neck, which explained why surgery had been recommended. On examination, nearly every neck movement increased her pain, numbness, and tingling.
Treatments
We provided chiropractic care and rehab exercises, along with home stretches and guidance on proper ergonomics. Cervical spine adjustments were used to help reduce pressure on nearby nerves.
Outcome
Within a month and a half, the numbness that had reached from her fingertips to her elbow started moving back up her neck. Eventually, all numbness and tingling disappeared, along with her neck pain. She was able to cancel her surgery and return to sleeping and doing household activities without problems.
Back Pain and Sciatic Nerve Pain
Patient Information
A retired patient in his mid-60s sought care for lower back pain.
Symptoms
He presented with lower back pain and sciatica running down his right leg into his foot. This affected his overall quality of life, including his gait. He had tried physical therapy, stretching on his own, home remedies, and pain creams. The patient had a prior history of neck surgery and wanted a natural solution rather than going that route again. Walking, or moving from sitting to standing, made his pain worse. His pain was rated 9 out of 10, and he was limited in any activity.
Diagnosis
X-rays of his lower back were taken. Further testing with a physical exam reproduced the pain radiating down his leg.
Treatments
We used spinal decompression therapy to gently stretch the spine. This reduced pressure on the discs and nerves of the lower back. Spinal adjustments were also performed. He was given home stretches and guidance on proper ergonomics. Guidance on sitting and sleeping postures was also part of his plan.
Outcome
The numbness in his toes and legs began to decrease and move up toward his buttocks. Within 10 treatments, he was feeling no more numbness or tingling and noticed he felt taller and more mobile.
Knee Pain Treatment
Patient Information
A homemaker in her mid-40s came in for evaluation of knee pain.
Symptoms
She presented with knee pain and difficulty bending the knee. This had been going on for several months. She had tried massage therapy, physical therapy, and home stretches. She had been recommended to get an injection for the knee. Going up and down stairs, or simply bending the knee, made the pain worse. She experienced pain when bending the knee past 20 degrees and felt limited in her range of motion.
Diagnosis
Examination found soft tissue swelling and internal derangement of the knee (an internal joint problem affecting normal knee movement). Orthopedic testing and physical exam revealed pain around the IT band and hamstrings, along with tracking pain from the kneecap.
Treatments
We used radial pressure wave therapy, which is a treatment that uses pressure waves to target soft tissue and reduce pain. Stretches were also provided to reduce stiffness.
Outcome
Within the first few sessions, she improved by 25%, became pain-free, and her knee range of motion was restored to normal.
Shoulder Pain Treatment
Patient Information
A patient in his mid-40s who works and engages in a lot of driving came in for right shoulder pain.
Symptoms
He presented with right shoulder pain and limitations in flexion and abduction (the ability to raise the arm forward and out to the side). This had been going on for several weeks. He had tried stretching on his own and was scheduled to get a cortisone injection for the shoulder. Raising his arm to the side made the pain worse, and the pain had started to radiate up to his neck. This was also causing him headaches. Pain was rated 8 out of 10 with movement.
Diagnosis
He was diagnosed with frozen shoulder. A physical exam of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus (shoulder muscles) and biceps tendon was performed. All these areas were tender, and he was visibly in pain.
Treatments
We provided chiropractic care, home stretches, and guidance on proper ergonomics. Chiropractic adjustments were made to the upper back and neck, along with shock wave therapy. He was also given stretches to relax the muscles. Treatment continued for another 12 visits.
Outcome
Within one session, the patient’s flexion movement returned to normal. His abduction improved by 50%. After the full course of treatment, his range of motion was back to normal.
Mid-Back and Rib Pain
Patient Information
A very active athlete and runner in her mid-30s came in for mid-back pain.
Symptoms
She presented with mid-back pain radiating into the ribs. This had been going on for about a month. She had tried stretching, ibuprofen, massage, and foam rolling on her own, but nothing was helping. Running and workouts made the pain worse, and she was training for a full marathon at the time. She was limited in activity, visibly in pain, and very sensitive to the touch.
Diagnosis
She was diagnosed with a mid-back strain and rib strain. Physical examination of the mid-back found muscle spasms, spinal misalignment, and restriction.
Treatments
She received chiropractic care, home stretches, and guidance on proper ergonomics. Spinal adjustments were used to help take pressure off the affected area, along with cervical traction technique. She was also guided on sitting postures while at work and while sleeping.
Outcome
Her pain began to decrease within a month, and she resumed training for her marathon. She recently completed a half marathon and continues to train for the full marathon.
Hip Pain
Patient Information
A very active athlete and triathlete in his early 50s came in for right hip pain.
Symptoms
He presented with right hip pain that had been going on for more than 6 months. He had tried physical therapy, stretches on his own, and ibuprofen, but nothing was helping. Running or even walking made the pain worse. At the start, he was limited in any activity and had stopped running or biking for almost 6 months.
Diagnosis
An MRI was recommended and found a small tear in the cartilage that lines the hip socket. Significant muscle tightness was noted in the surrounding hip joint. Further examination with palpation of the right TFL (thigh muscle) found a lot of spasm.
Treatments
We provided chiropractic care and radial pressure wave therapy, along with home stretches, guidance on proper ergonomics, and chiropractic adjustments.
Outcome
He noticed that walking no longer caused pain. Within 1.5 months and 6 sessions of radial pressure wave therapy, he was back to biking and running without aggravating or flaring up his hip pain.
Auto Accident Injury
Patient Information
A patient in her mid-30s who also spends a lot of time sitting at a computer for work came in following a car accident.
Symptoms
She was rear-ended and immediately experienced headaches, neck pain, mid-back pain, and lower back pain following the collision. She had very limited neck movement and had a hard time bending at the waist or sitting for more than 30 minutes without aggravating her pain. The pain began to affect her sleep and was overwhelming for her both mentally and physically.
Diagnosis
MRIs and X-rays of the cervical and lumbar spine were taken. The MRIs found disc herniations in her neck and lower back. Examination revealed muscle spasms in her neck and lower back, along with sciatica going down her right leg.
Treatments
We provided chiropractic care, home stretches, and rehab exercises, along with guidance on ergonomics. She was also referred to consult with another specialist, who further supported her improvement.
Outcome
She was able to get back to working out and return to her normal daily life.
Pediatric Care
Patient Information
Two families who had been under care for many years began bringing their children for routine chiropractic care. The children ranged in age from toddlers to 12 years old.
Symptoms
Over the years, the children were brought in for constipation, colic, cold-like symptoms, and ear infections.
Diagnosis
Each visit started with an exam and palpation. With ear infections, the children would usually have swollen cervical lymph nodes (glands in the neck that swell in response to infection).
Treatments
We provided very gentle chiropractic care suited to the child’s age and condition.
Outcome
The children recovered quickly. Now grown up, they still bring their own kids in for maintenance care, ranging from every week to every other week.