Arm and Leg Pain Options

The shoulder and hip joints are two of the most mobile and frequently used joints in the body. They are also a frequent site of injury and pain for many people we see in our Mobile chiropractic clinic.  From overuse to sports injuries, the causes are many, and the results range from slight discomfort to complete immobilization. The following article from Discover Chiropractic Center gives information on some of the most common issues that lead to shoulder and leg pain, as well as a description of how chiropractic adjustments can help to reverse it.

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Arm and Leg Pain in Mobile

The actual cause of arm or leg pain can be difficult to self-diagnose. If you have had an obvious injury, such as stressing a joint through a repetitive pattern at work, dislocating a shoulder playing sports, or pinching a nerve by falling asleep in an awkward position, the source of your immediate pain may be obvious. However, when pain in the arms or legs develops slowly over time without the occurrence of an obvious injury or accident, or when the pain from an injury has become chronic and the source becomes perplexing, you may be in need of a more thorough assessment to determine the source.

There are a number of different possible sources for the pain including bursitis, arthritis and tendinitis, but misalignments (subluxations) of the vertebrae in the neck and lower back are responsible for the vast majority of chronic arm and leg pain. If the spaces where the nerves leave the spine become narrowed because the vertebrae or discs are out of position, the nerve can become irritated, and often produces pain down its entire path. Many patients are surprised when they see that the nerves travel from the spine all the way to the ends of their fingertips and toes.

As a result, injuries to the vertebrae in the spine can create the sensation of pain anywhere along the entire length of the arms and legs. The pain patterns associated with sciatica, which run from the hip all the way to the foot, are a good example of how this works.

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Chiropractic Treatment for Arm and Leg Pain

Due to the complexity of the joints and the vast number of possible causes of your leg or arm pain, it is important to have a professional evaluation to determine the source. Using a combination of a thorough review of your medical history, a physical examination, and advanced imaging techniques, a chiropractor can get a comprehensive picture that will lead to the root cause of your pain.

Using non-invasive and carefully applied adjustments, chiropractors assist the body in gently re-positioning the vertebrae which can provide both instant and long term relief. If you are experiencing arm or leg pain, don't wait for it to become unbearable, schedule a consultation with our team at Discover Chiropractic Center today.

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CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT FOR WOMEN'S KNEE PAIN

Female athletes and females in general suffer more knee injuries than males. Many studies have shown women to injure their knees twice as often as men.

Many reasons are cited for the increasing injury rate for women. The number of women participating in sports has escalated over the past several years. An increased awareness of fitness and the enforcement of Title IX have opened the door for many athletes. I’ve noticed many female patients not controlling weight issues and this sudden change of weight gain is hard for the back, leg and knee joints to control sudden movements. Our patients here in Mobile, Alabama discuss this issue and how we can acclimate chiropractic into a wellness program rather than only as a treatment modality.

One of the most common injuries in female athletes is a recurring kneecap dislocation. It is more common with women because of their knee alignment and because they are more flexible than men.

The typical complaint will be pain in the front of the knee. After a pivot on the leg, the kneecap may come out-of-place and go to the outside of the knee. The athlete may be able to put the kneecap back in place by simply straightening of the leg. If that doesn’t work, then they must go to a doctor.

After the initial episode, the athlete may notice the knee giving way with a jumping and twisting motion. Often the athlete will sense the knee starting to give way and stop activity before it dislocates completely.

Whether you are an athlete of not, there are a few things you can do once pain in the front of the knee develops:

1. Exercises to strengthen the thigh muscles will decrease the stresses on the kneecap. The single squat is a simple exercise that can be performed anywhere and does not need any special equipment.
2. A special brace called a Palumbo can help the kneecap track normally. This can be purchased at limb and brace stores.
3. Shoe inserts can change the angle of the kneecap. Several companies make over-the-counter inserts that are as effective as customized ones. I usually don’t use the $300-400 custom ones.

If these measures don’t alleviate the pain, an evaluation by your chiropractor may be needed for more conservative approaches so more invasive procedures like surgery may not be needed in your future. Gaining control of your health is more important and easier to deal with than working on problems that are more difficult to treat. The key: implement chiropractic and other wellness protocols so you can be in charge of your health.