Chiropractor - Simi Valley
1716 Erringer Road
Simi Valley, CA 93065
805-581-8053

Posts for tag: disc

By contactus
September 08, 2011
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: simi valley   chiropractor   disc   neck pain   ca   back pain   spinal disc   herniation   bulge   protrusion  

In the neck and back, we have discs that separate our vertebra, or spinal bones.   These discs provide for optimal motion, structure, and shock absorption.  The disc has two layers.  The outer layer is called the annulus fibrosis, and the inner layer is called the nucleus.  The annulus is made up of cartilage, while the nucleus is made of a gelatinous material. 

When a disc is injured, pain can be produced in various ways.  The annulus has nerve endings that run through it.  When it is stretched, strained, or torn, there can be a deep and intense pain.  The disc can also bulge, protrude, and/or herniate from its proper place.   In some cases, the central nucleus can be pushed into the outer edge of the disc.  The nucleus itself has no nerve endings and does not cause pain. However, the nucleus can push on other structures, including spinal nerves.  This can cause a sharp shooting pain that can travel to the arms and or legs, cause numbness, or weakness.
 
For some disc injuries, chiropractic care can offer many solutions.  Certain traction techniques can help bring the disc to it’s proper position and help the body properly heal itself.   Pain from more severe disc injuries may respond to epidural injections.  Some may even require surgical intervention.  MRI is the best diagnostic imaging tool to detect a disc injury.  As with everything, finding the problem is the first step to a solution.   
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By contactus
March 24, 2011
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: simi valley   chiropractor   disc   injury   low back pain   ca   safety   lifting  

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  This remains true when dealing with injuries and ailments to the lower back.  I’ve seen many patients that are required to lift heavy items all day and every day.  For them, safe lifting techniques are imperative.  However, this is just as important for the office manager, lawyer, or IT professional that may happen to be moving a piece of furniture on the weekend.  The following are lifting techniques that I’ve taught to my patients individually, and to groups through workshops and lectures:

  1. Bend at the knees and the hips when lifting something off of the floor.  Avoid bending or twisting at the waist.
  2. Keep whatever you’re lifting as close to your body as possible.  The further away you hold an object, the more force it will put on your joints, including your spine.
  3. Keep the spine straight.  Do this instead of being hunched over.  The more you can straighten the spine, the less strain you’ll be putting on the discs in your back.
  4. Abdominal hollow.  This is a technique used to protect the spine when lifting heavy items.  The abdominal, pelvic, and lower back muscles are your core muscles.  They make up your “anatomical weight belt.”  Tighten your abdominals by bringing your belly button as close to your spine as possible while still breathing.

Although it’s impossible to avoid all lower back injuries, these techniques will help.  Equally as important are regular exercise, proper nutrition, and being close to your ideal weight.  We’ll save these topics for future blog entries. 

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By contactus
December 29, 2010
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: simi valley   whiplash   chiropractic   neck   disc   ligament   tendon   muscle   injury  

Half of the patients we see are here as a result of an auto accident. Whiplash is by far the most common condition of these patients. Technically speaking, whiplash is termed a cervical acceleration deceleration injury. When a vehicle is hit from behind, the driver and passengers are vulnerable to having their head forced back into the headrest and then forward. The result is often damage to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs, and nerves of the neck. In many cases, if these injuries go untreated, there could be long term chronic pain and osteoarthritis. Chiropractic care is a very effective treatment for whiplash injuries.

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