Back Clinic Chiropractic Spine Care Team. The spine is designed with three natural curves; the neck curvature or cervical spine, the upper back curvature or thoracic spine, and the lower back curvature or lumbar spine, all of which come together to form a slight shape when viewed from the side. The spine is an essential structure as it helps support the upright posture of humans, it provides the body with the flexibility to move and it plays the crucial role of protecting the spinal cord. Spinal health is important in order to ensure the body is functioning to its fullest capacity. Dr. Alex Jimenez strongly indicates across his collection of articles on spine care, how to properly support a healthy spine. For more information, please feel free to contact us at (915) 850-0900 or text to call Dr. Jimenez personally at (915) 540-8444.
Limb length discrepancy is a difference between the lengths of the arms or legs. Except in severe circumstances, variations in arm size do not usually influence the way the arms perform and may not require the need for physical therapy.
A discrepancy in leg length will typically become clear to parents as they watch their child develop and start to crawl and walk. Some kids are born with legs of different lengths. In other cases, illness or injury causes a discrepancy in length to produce over time. While a minor variation in leg length may not cause symptoms, a significant difference can cause a noticeable limp and allow it to be difficult for a kid to run and play.
Parents are typically the first to discover a leg length discrepancy when they discover a problem together with the way their child walks. Discrepancies are also sometimes detected when a child undergoes a screening at school for curvature of the spine, or scoliosis. It’s important to notice, nevertheless, that leg length discrepancy does not always lead to scoliosis.
Scoliosis may be triggered or exacerbated by way of a leg-length discrepancy. Leg length discrepancy could be either a true discrepancy or as an outcome of pelvic obliquity. How would you tell in case there is a true leg-length discrepancy that is the result of an anatomical cause or if it is an apparent (non-true) leg length discrepancy and the result of pelvic obliquity? A medical practioner can assist determine this.
Limb Length Discrepancy & Scoliosis Evaluations
Throughout the examination, your physician will ask about signs, medical history, and your youngster general health. She or he will then execute a cautious examination, observing how your child sits, stands, and moves.
Gait evaluation. Throughout the examination, your doctor will carefully observe your youngster gait (the way he/she walks). A limb length discrepancy may be compensated to get by young kids by strolling on their toes or flexing their knee.
Measuring the discrepancy. When your youngster is standing bare foot in most cases, the doctor will calculate the discrepancy. Until the hips are level, then measure the blocks to decide the discrepancy she or he will place a series of wooden blocks underneath the short leg.
Imaging Studies for Leg Length Discrepancy
X-rays: An xray provides pictures of structures that are dense, including bone. If your physician needs a mo Re precise measurement of the discrepancy, she or he may buy x rays of your child’s legs.
Scanograms: This is a special type of x ray that utilizes a series of three images along with a ruler to measure the amount of the bones in the legs. A scanogram may be ordered by your doctor in addition, or instead of to, a x-ray.
Computerized tomography (CT) scans: These studies can offer a more detailed image of the bone and soft-tissue in the legs. Sometimes, your doctor will use a CT scan to calculate the limb length discrepancy.
In case your child is still growing, your physician might repeat imaging studies and the physical examination every six months to some year to view if the discrepancy h-AS increased or remained the same. With the same sort of imaging study over time, your doctor will follow your child because an x ray measurement is unable to be compared with a CT scan measurement.
Scoliosis from Leg Length Inequality (As Seen on X-Ray)
The causes of an apparent leg length discrepancy that might potentially cause some form of scoliosis is typically because of pelvic obliquity due to muscle imbalances. If the discrepancy is apparent or true, the implications are the same. It can affect the patient�??s gait and result in knee, ankle, and hip dysfunction.
Also, in the event the individual develops if the trigger is not tackled and an operating scoliosis, the scoliosis may become structural. In the case of a patient with scoliosis (structural or functional) plus a leg length discrepancy, spinal and ribcage muscle imbalances are apparent and should be addressed.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Scoliosis Pain and Chiropractic
According to recent research studies, chiropractic care and exercise can substantially help correct scoliosis. Scoliosis is a well-known type of spinal misalignment, or subluxation, characterized by the abnormal, lateral curvature of the spine. While there are two different types of scoliosis, chiropractic treatment techniques, including spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, are safe and effective alternative treatment measures which have been demonstrated to help correct the curve of the spine, restoring the original function of the spine.
Scoliosis is described as lateral abnormal curvature of the backbone. Broadly speaking, there are two types of scoliosis, nonstructural and structural
Nonstructural Scoliosis: There is not any structural abnormality in the backbone although in this kind of scoliosis, the spine has a curvature. The curvature is to an illness process or routine in reaction to. The spine is structurally regular with a curvature, no rotation, with no asymmetry.
Types of nonstructural scoliosis:
Postural: This curvature is due to use of a wrong posture. When the kid is lies down it resolves.
Compensatory: It’s triggered by leg-length discrepancy. There’s no rotation of the vertebrae on sitting plus it typically goes off.
Sciatic: This curve results from attempting to prevent pain from an irritated nerve
Inflammatory: Here a curvature in the backbone is triggered through an infective process such as an appendicitis. The body curves to the disease or muscle spasm in reaction.
Hysterical: very rare and has an underlying component that is mental
Structural Scoliosis: A scoliosis is the one that requires both a curvature and rotation of the vertebrae. Most frequent type is the one where no cause may be found.
Idiopathic Scoliosis: Where the trigger isn’t known, most frequent type of scoliosis is idiopathic. Scoliosis is categorized based on the age when scoliosis develops. For example in a person less than 3 years old, it’s called infantile idiopathic scoliosis.
Non Idiopathic Scoliosis: Neuromuscular; It’s caused by an abnormal development of the bones of the spine for instance hemivertebra or due to other issues. Degenerative; Scoliosis occurs in older adults. Degenerative changes might lead to weakening of the ligaments that are typical and gentle tissues of the spine. In existence of arthritic changes abnormal curvature may result
Miscellaneous: Any pathology in the backbone like spine tumors may cause people to lean to the side that is contrary to reduce discomfort. Posturing may lead to scoliosis.
When no cause is known most common type of scoliosis is idiopathic, a term used in medical literature. Non structural scoliosis forms a small percentage of scoliosis.
Most common causes in this group are neuro muscular illnesses such as hemivertebra such as poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy or delivery defects. Injury may be another cause. Infections or tumors also might give rise to curvature of the spine.
Here is the list of causes of non idiopathic structural scoliosis.
Cerebral palsy
Spinocerebellar degeneration
Friedreich�s ataxia
Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathies
Trauma
Spinal tumor
Syringomyelia
Poliomyelitis
Spinal muscular atrophy I-IV (usually right sided curve)
Dysautonomia
Arthrogryposis
Muscular dystrophies
Fibre type disproportion
Congenital hypotonia
Myotonia dystrophica
Achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia � mainly lordosis or thoracolumbar kyphosis.
Spondylolisthesis
Mesenchymal disorders like Marfan�s syndrome or Ehler�s-Danlos syndrome
Neuromuscular Scoliosis: Neuromuscular scoliosis develops at a younger age than idiopathic curves along with a greater percentage of neuro muscular curves are progressive. Usually neuro muscular curves are long, C- shaped curves and associated pelvic obliquity is frequent.
The fundamental treatment methods are similar �?? observation, orthotic therapy, and surgery.
The objective of remedy is to maintain a backbone balanced in the sagittal and coronal planes over an amount pelvis.
These individuals generally are compliant with administration and surgery is linked complications like less bone inventory, improved bleeding, fusions that are lengthier, and also the the need for fusion to the pelvis.
More About the Types of Scoliosis
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Scoliosis Pain and Chiropractic
According to recent research studies, chiropractic care and exercise can substantially help correct scoliosis. Scoliosis is a well-known type of spinal misalignment, or subluxation, characterized by the abnormal, lateral curvature of the spine. While there are two different types of scoliosis, chiropractic treatment techniques, including spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, are safe and effective alternative treatment measures which have been demonstrated to help correct the curve of the spine, restoring the original function of the spine.
Generally, the true cause of scoliosis is unknown. This is medically identified as idiopathic scoliosis. It commonly develops in the pre-teen and teen years and it usually runs in families.
There are two types of scoliosis: non-structural or functional and structural.
Functional Scoliosis
Nonstructural or functional scoliosis is characterized when a structurally normal spine begins to develop a lateral curvature in their spinal column.
Nonstructural scoliosis involves a temporary change in the curve of the spine. This is caused by an underlying condition, such as a difference in leg length, otherwise known as limb length discrepancy, muscle spasms, or inflammatory conditions, (e.g. appendicitis), which might produce muscle spasm. Functional scoliosis is treated by correcting the problem. The spine itself needs no treatment.
Functional scoliosis is also referred to as nonstructural scoliosis in contrast to structural scoliosis in which there’s a set curve of the bones of the spine (the vertebrae).
Structural Scoliosis
Structural scoliosis is characterized by a fixed lateral curvature of the spine.
Structural scoliosis often does occur from unknown factors without mention of the other physical problems (idiopathic scoliosis). It tends to affect girls during adolescence.
Scoliosis can also manifest as a result of a syndrome or disease. Examples of circumstances that can result in structural scoliosis are: Marfan syndrome (an inherited connective tissue disorder); other connective tissue problems; neuromuscular diseases (including cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis, or muscular dystrophy); birth defects (for example hemivertebra, in which one aspect of a vertebra fails to form normally before birth); injury; certain infections of the spine; tumors (such as those caused by neurofibromatosis, a heritable disease linked with benign tumors on the spinal column); metabolic (biochemical) ailments; or some arthritic diseases.
Structural scoliosis is different than nonstructural (functional) scoliosis when the spine seems to have have a lateral curve (scoliosis) but it’s structurally normal.
Scoliosis Symptoms
In kids and teens, scoliosis typically does perhaps not trigger signs and is maybe not obvious until the curve of the backbone becomes severe or average. It may possibly first become apparent to some parents who observes that the child’s clothes don’t fit properly or that hems hang unevenly. The kid’s backbone may possibly seem crooked, or the ribs may stick out.
In a child who has scoliosis:
One shoulder may seem higher as opposed to other.
The other may not look greater than one hip.
The kid head is not centered over his or her body.
One shoulder blade might stand out out more in relation to the other.
The ribs are greater on one side when the child bends ahead from the waist.
The waistline might be flat on one facet.
The majority of the time scoliosis does maybe not cause pain in kids or teens. It may be because the curve in the spine is causing stress and strain on the on the spinal discs, nerves, muscles, ligaments, or aspect joints, when back pain is present with scoliosis. It is not generally triggered by the curve it self. Pain in a a young adult who has scoliosis may be a sign of some other problem, such as a bone or tumefaction. It is very important he or she see a physician to find out what is causing the discomfort if your child has pain with scoliosis.
Some other problems, like kyphosis, trigger symptoms similar to scoliosis.
Simplifying Scoliosis
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Scoliosis Pain and Chiropractic
According to recent research studies, chiropractic care and exercise can substantially help correct scoliosis. Scoliosis is a well-known type of spinal misalignment, or subluxation, characterized by the abnormal, lateral curvature of the spine. While there are two different types of scoliosis, chiropractic treatment techniques, including spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, are safe and effective alternative treatment measures which have been demonstrated to help correct the curve of the spine, restoring the original function of the spine.
A cervicogenic headache begins in the cervical spine, or the neck. Sometimes these headaches mimic migraine headache symptoms. Initially, discomfort may start intermittently, spread to one side (unilateral) of the individual head, and become nearly continuous. Furthermore, pain can be exacerbated by neck movements or a particular neck place (eg, eyes centered on a pc monitor).
Possible Causes of Cervicogenic Headaches
The trigger of a headache is often associated to extreme tension to the neck. The headache may be a consequence of cervical osteoarthritis, a broken disc, or whiplash-type movements that irritates or compresses a cervical nerve. The neck’s bony structures (eg, aspect joints) and its delicate tissues (eg, muscles) can give rise to the improvement of a cervicogenic headache.
Nervous System Function
Certain nerves structures are involved in several cervicogenic headaches. Spinal nerves are signal transmitters that allow the body via the spinal cord and communication between the brain. At each level of the cervical spine is one on the right of the spine and a set of nerves; one on the left side. C1, C2 or C3 may be involved in development of cervicogenic headaches because these nerves permit function (motion) and feeling of the head and neck. Compression can cause pain and inflammation.
Cervicogenic Headache Symptoms
A cervicogenic headache provides in base and the back of the skull as a steady, non-throbbing pain, sometimes extending downward into the neck and between the shoulder-blades. Pain could be felt behind forehead and the brow, although the problem originates in the cervical spine.
Pain usually starts after a sudden neck movements, such as a sneeze. Along with head and neck discomfort, signs may include:
Stiff neck
Nausea and/or vomiting
Dizziness
Vision
Sensitivity to light or sound
Pain in both arms or one
Risk facets that will be engaged in headache on set or irritate cervicogenic headaches include:
Fatigue
Sleep difficulties
Disc problems
Current or neck injuries that are preceding
Poor posture
Muscular stress
Diagnosis of Cervicogenic Headaches
The analysis of a headache commences using a thorough medical background using a physical and neurological evaluation. Diagnostic testing may include:
X-rays
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
CT Scans (rarely)
Nerve block injections to validate the diagnosis, cause
Treatment for Cervicogenic Headaches
Initially, your doctor may advise an over-the counter nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (eg, aspirin, Aleve). If this is ineffective, then a prescription anti-irritation and pain reliever might be prescribed. Other treatment options, outlined in purchase of from non-invasive to invasive, include:
Spinal manipulation or alternative manual therapies
Behavioral methods (eg, bio feedback)
Acupuncture
Trigger level injections
Prolotherapy
Facet joint blocks (a type of spinal joint injection)
Nerve blocks (this is generally of the medial branches of the nerves that provide you with the the facet joints)
Radiofrequency pulse ganglionotomy of the nerve root (eg, C 2, C-3)
Spine surgery to reduce nerve or vascular compression (this is rarely necessary)
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Cervicogenic Headache and Chiropractic
Neck pain associated with whiplash-associated disorders resulting from an automobile accident are reportedly the most prevalent cause for discomfort along the cervical spine. The sheer force of an impact from a rear-end car crash or other traffic incident can cause injuries or aggravate a previously existing condition. While neck pain is commonly the result of damage to the complex structures of the neck, cervicogenic headaches may also result due to neck issues. Chiropractic care can help carefully restore the alignment of the cervical spine to relieve headaches and neck pain.
The most useful rule-of-thumb for headache and migraine treatment is: Have a program. See your doctor and produce a treatment strategy together. Your program will help you identify and handle migraines or your headaches early, sparing you some discomfort.
Tension Headache Treatments
When you get a pressure-type headache, it’s usually because of a change in neck, your mind, or encounter. Other tissues, nerves, blood vessels, and the muscles are experiencing distress. Treat the change, and you will reduce your headache.
It may build up unwanted stress, in case you have already been hunched over a laptop at work. Or perhaps a new medicine was started by you, or had minor neck injuries.
Take a minute curl up to stretch, or massage head your face, and neck. Consider a nap, a shower, or utilizing pack or ice pack on your own head or neck.
Tension Headache Medications
For tension headaches, you’ve numerous over-the-counter medicine alternatives. Naproxen ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin are successful. If you suspect your headache is vascular (associated to your own blood vessels), consider a pain-reliever that includes some caffeine.
Get in touch with your doctor for more tips if your headache does not react to to your own behavioral techniques and medications. In the event the headache becomes severe or lasts for more than 10 days, see your doctor. Your headache might be a signal of another condition.
Cluster Headache Treatments
Inhaling 100% oxygen right when a cluster headache starts can help lessen the pain considerably. Your doctor can help you get a portable oxygen unit to carry in a bag or briefcase.
A mainstay migraine medication, sumatriptan, is effective for cluster headaches. Learn to inject yourself right when you sense the first signs of your cluster headache. Other cluster headache medicines that are useful are dihydroergotamine, administered via an I-V, and octreotide sent as an injection.
Migraine Headache Prevention
Over the past 2 decades, health practitioners have realized effective treatments for decreasing the frequency of migraines. Avoid migraine triggers, take preventive medicine, alter your nourishment, and improve your rest.
One of numerous migraine triggers, several are foods, by avoiding so you can reduce your migraine risk:
Beans, legumes, and nuts
Fermented and pickled foods like pickles and olives
Dairy and cheese that is aged
Avocados
Onions
Cured or ag ed meats
Items containing brewer’s yeast
Chocolate, cocoa, and carob
Aspartame
Beverages
Caffeine
Other frequent migraine triggers include:
Stress
Weather changes
Poor diet
Hormonal changes
Nicotine
Physical activities that are intense
As you pay focus on what triggers your migraines, you are able to learn better what to avoid�??this is just a starting listing.
Your doctor will consider other medicines that prevent migraines. He/she might prescribe:
The blood-pressure drugs propranolol or timolol
Anti-depressants such as amitriptyline or fluoxetine
The seizure medication valproate
While these drugs came to market to handle other conditions, they are also efficient for migraine prevention.
Migraine Treatment
Migraine remedy is a race from the clock. You can take steps to reduce the intensity of the assault when you sense the warning signs of a migraine. That is the time to lie down, relax, and simply take your drugs.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), aspirin, and acetaminophen relieve some migraines. However, many migraine sufferers need stronger medicines for example sumatriptan or a different medication from your triptan family. In a few extreme circumstances, you may be treated by your physician with an opioid.
Treatments such as ice packs or cold compresses on your forehead rush instant reduction. Massaging your scalp and rubbing your temples may also help reduce the intensity of the migraine.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Cervicogenic Headache and Chiropractic
Neck pain associated with whiplash-associated disorders resulting from an automobile accident are reportedly the most prevalent cause for discomfort along the cervical spine. The sheer force of an impact from a rear-end car crash or other traffic incident can cause injuries or aggravate a previously existing condition. While neck pain is commonly the result of damage to the complex structures of the neck, cervicogenic headaches may also result due to neck issues. Chiropractic care can help carefully restore the alignment of the cervical spine to relieve headaches and neck pain.
The Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic therapy is a specialization within the field of chiropractic. It’s widely recognized as a safe and effective form of treatment which helps restore the natural integrity of the body. This technique aids to re-activate the body’s natural healing abilities.
The atlas is the top, upper vertebrae of the spine in which the head sits on, connecting the skull and the spine. Orthogonal means at right angles, or square. The atlas must be leveled, or square, on the cervical spine, or neck, and the head must be square, or leveled on the atlas.
If the atlas becomes misaligned, or subluxated, it can cause the head to tilt. As a result of the altered posture, the body will instinctively try to straighten the head up by compensating the posture of the spine while also trying to maintain the proper center of gravity on the body. This however, can create on the spine, adding stress throughout the shoulders, the pelvis, the hips, the knees, and the ankles.
Subluxations, or misalignments, can ultimately be deceiving. People often report experiencing symptoms of pain and discomfort along their back, shoulders, arms and legs while the source of their symptoms often originates along the cervical spine or neck.
The Atlas Vertebral Segment
Specialty of the Atlas Orthogonal
The Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic therapy involves gentler adjustment techniques than traditional chiropractic adjustments, where no intense manipulations are required. The Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic technique utilizes an adjusting instrument developed by Dr. Roy W. Sweat with the aid of engineers at Georgia Tech University. The precision of the Atlas Orthogonal Instrument allows for an adjustment with specifically gentle pressure, one which differs from general chiropractic manipulations.
Atlas Orthogonal recognizes the whole influence that the health of the upper cervical spine has on overall structure and function. It is now believed that input into the brain from the spinal buildings is the primary impact on health which chiropractic helps.
This input is what seems to balance specific manual pressure input, through high velocity. This impact is perhaps greatest at the occipito-atlanto-axial joint complex. That’s, the occiput, or base of the skull, on the atlas, which comes in contact with the second vertebra in the cervical spine, or the axis. When the atlas is subluxated, misaligned or shifted, adversely affecting the nerves, further complications may develop.
How the Atlas Orthogonal Instrument Works
Dr Sweat used traditional chiropractic adjustments and manual manipulations to treat patients for over 20 years. He then began using Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic techniques, specializing on correcting spinal issues with a precision adjustment instrument. Utilizing such an instrument eliminated many of the existing variables associated with hand contacts and thrust variation in treatment.
Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic therapy efficiently corrects issues which affect the normal range of motion of the vertebrae by producing a voluntary muscular contraction in comparison to manual manipulations which, by definition, take the joint, or several joints, beyond its present range of motion.
After several prototypes created throughout the years, the instrument nowadays is made from a metallic density, activated with a solenoid, or a magnetically influenced stylus which transfers to the conclusion in contact with all the skin’s surface. The pressure produced on the skin is as little as 3 pounds. The movement of the atlas bone has been verified through radiographic studies or X-rays.
Assorted Benefits of the Atlas Orthogonal
Recent studies demonstrate this phenomenon of leg duration inequality (LLI) might be engaged in spinal discomfort syndromes. The patient lies on their straight back, the healthcare professional’s contact with all the legs and feet is reserved to a minimum, while the variation in leg-length is measured. When the patient rests after each adjustment, this can be measured again, and also the chiropractor evaluates exactly what the change means.
The Atlas Orthogonal specialist contacts the soft-tissue overlying the factors of exit of the correct and left C 1 and C2 nerves and tissue compliance, irritation and tenderness. The four points are then rated from 0 to 3, with 3 being the most severe. There should be some instant improvement in the palpation after adjustment.
If more objectivity is needed, the more accepted method of algometry, or use of an epidermis pressure instrument, over the neck can elicit the same result. Instruments are being developed in the USA to supply goal measurement-based on tissue compliance.
Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic techniques ultimately can help relieve asthma, headaches, migraines, dizziness, arthritis, fibromyalgia, poor posture, trigeminal neuralgia, arm/leg pain, autism, allergies, neck/ back pain, carpel-tunnel, herniated disc, and stress, among others.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Cervicogenic Headache and Chiropractic
Neck pain associated with whiplash-associated disorders resulting from an automobile accident are reportedly the most prevalent cause for discomfort along the cervical spine. The sheer force of an impact from a rear-end car crash or other traffic incident can cause injuries or aggravate a previously existing condition. While neck pain is commonly the result of damage to the complex structures of the neck, cervicogenic headaches may also result due to neck issues. Chiropractic care can help carefully restore the alignment of the cervical spine to relieve headaches and neck pain.
Chiropractic care is a non-conservative, alternative treatment option, preferred by many individuals who seek a more natural approach to treat their spinal complications. A chiropractor is a health care professional who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries and conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, with a greater emphasis on the spine.
The goal of chiropractic treatment is to reduce painful symptoms and improve the function of the structures of the body as well as educating patients to maintain their overall health and wellness via the proper practice of ergonomics, stretches and exercises.
Chiropractic care is generally categorized as complementary medicine, stimulating the individual’s body to heal itself naturally, without the need of drugs, medications and/or surgery. This practice focuses to improve the relationship between the spine and the nervous system.
A structural misalignment of the spine and/or a bio-mechanical derangement of the vertebral bones can affect the complex network of nerves found throughout the body. In these cases, the goal of chiropractic is to reduce the pressure on the neurological tissue in order to restore the structural integrity of the spine and improve the function of the nervous system, ultimately restoring the well-being of the patient. The primary treatment of a chiropractor is to re-establish the original mobility of the spine, alleviating irritation and inflammation on the structures surrounding the spine.
While a chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic (DC), is qualified and experienced in the treatment of a variety of spinal conditions, other healthcare professionals within the field of chiropractic have special training in specific areas of the spine, utilizing different forms of treatment than the general chiropractor.
Atlas Orthogonal for the Cervical Spine
Atlas orthogonal is a specialized chiropractic technique which utilizes a precise adjusting instrument to treat complications along the cervical spine, or neck. This type of adjustment has been recognized for its precision and gentleness, in comparison with traditional chiropractic adjustments and manipulations, using only three ounces of pressure per procedure.
As a matter of fact, many patients find it hard to believe how such a light technique can provide them relief, at least until they begin to experience decreased pain and discomfort as well as improved function.
There are many different techniques to adjust the spine. The Atlas Orthogonal procedure is a system which helps balance the anatomical structure of the spine and its surrounding tissues, reducing neurological symptoms caused by spinal misalignment, or subluxation, without using manual manipulation. Atlas Orthogonal incorporates the use of a state of the art floor-based percussion adjusting instrument along with precision X-ray analysis, to properly diagnose, treat and prevent further complications within the cervical spine, particularly the atlas, the topmost vertebra of the spine in which the axis forms the joint that connects the skull and spine.
Most chiropractors, or doctors of chiropractic (DCs) use methods of adjusting where they feel the spine, followed by a manual manipulation or spinal adjustment performed by applying force along the affected structure until a “popping sound” is heard. With the Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic technique, the chiropractor uses specific X-rays to view the cervical spine and determine exactly where and how the vertebrae are misaligned or subluxated. The Atlas Orthogonal Percussion Instrument, utilized for the procedure, is then set with those specific vectors to accomplish the precise and gentle adjustment. The patient feels no force and hears no pops or cracks. Patients adjusted this way stay in adjustment longer than patients who receive treatment with other chiropractors. This means fewer adjustments and more cost-effective health care.
The Atlas Difference Summary
Gentle, effective approach ideal for children, elderly and osteoporotic patients
Modern equipment along with the latest techniques
Specific care that is specialized means fewer adjustments needed
About the Atlas Orthogonal Procedure
In conclusion, chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment for both neck and back pain, as well as other spinal complications. According to the patient’s needs, some chiropractic adjustment techniques may be most beneficial to them than others. The Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic technique is a gentle and precise form of adjustment which can benefit many patients with cervical spine issues. Despite the variety of treatment and care options available in the chiropractic field, it’s ultimately important for people to treat their spinal complications to achieve overall health and wellness.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Cervicogenic Headache and Chiropractic
Neck pain associated with whiplash-associated disorders resulting from an automobile accident are reportedly the most prevalent cause for discomfort along the cervical spine. The sheer force of an impact from a rear-end car crash or other traffic incident can cause injuries or aggravate a previously existing condition. While neck pain is commonly the result of damage to the complex structures of the neck, cervicogenic headaches may also result due to neck issues. Chiropractic care can help carefully restore the alignment of the cervical spine to relieve headaches and neck pain.
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