Herniated Disc: What is it? Chiropractor Plymouth MN

The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by small discs that act as shock absorbers and keep the spine flexible. There are 23 discs in the human spine: 6 in the neck, 12 in the mid-back, and 5 in the low back.  Inside each disc is a gel like material that keeps the disc healthy.  When a disc is damaged it can break open pushing out the gel.  This is called a herniated disc.  It may also be called a bulging, slipped, or ruptured disc.

Herniated discs can occur in any part of the spine but most commonly they happen in the low back.  The usual causes are wear and tear on the spine as you age- the discs dry out and become less flexible- and injuries to the spine causing a crack or tear in the disc.

When a disc is herniated the gel often presses on the nerves coming from your spine which can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the area of the body the nerve travels. A herniated disc in the low back can have symptoms in the buttock and down the leg. A herniated disc in the neck can cause symptoms traveling into the shoulder, arms, and hands.

Herniated discs can usually be cared for conservatively with great success with treatments such as chiropractic adjustments, therapy exercises and stretches. If conservative treatment fails then surgery may be performed as the last option.

Plymouth Spine and Health Center located in Plymouth, MN routinely treats herniated discs. If you have questions on whether you have a herniated disc or would like to see if we can help give us a call at 763.432.2736.

If you have visited a chiropractor and been treated with chiropractic spinal adjustments you know that you’re feeling better and healthier (which is really what matters) but you may wonder what the adjustments are actually doing to accomplish this.

Spinal adjustments are performed to create proper motion and alignment within the involved joint(s) which produces many positive effects on the body.  5 main affects are listed below:

1)      Reduces pressure on the spine

2)      Improves mobility

3)      Decreases muscle tension

4)      Improves circulation

5)      Improves nerve flow from the spine.

Out of those 5 main effects the primary focus is on #5- to improve the nerve flow from the spine.  Remember, the nerves control every part of your body, from your muscles to your heart.  Simply put, the better your nerves work the better your body works-which means faster healing and improved health.

Plymouth Spine and Health Center is committed to helping individuals achieve a higher level of health. We want you to enjoy life and everything you love to do.  Give us a call at 763-432-2736 and see how we can help!

Most people are first introduced to chiropractic because they had some sort of back pain that was negatively affecting their life.  It could be a herniated disc, neck pain, low back pain, sciatica, headaches, muscles spasms, or any other named condition.  They seek a chiropractor to get out of pain so they can return to their usual life activities. Then, they keep going back over and over again.  Why is that? Do they really have to?

The answer is absolutely not.  However, people choose to keep going because they enjoy the benefits it gives them.  Countless chiropractic patients report they feel much better, sleep better, have more energy, get sick less often, take fewer if any pills, are stronger, think better, and live better lives.  Who wouldn’t want that?

Having good health takes consistent work.  If you want to keep your hair looking nice you have to regularly get a haircut.  If you want to stay clean you have to keep showering.  If you want your muscles to stay strong you have to keep lifting.  The trend shown here is if you want to keep some positive aspect of your body and health you have to repeat that activity.  It’s just the way the body works.

Chiropractic is no different.  People keep going to the chiropractor because they love what is does for them.  If you haven’t tried chiropractic give it a shot.  See why millions of people rave about chiropractic. You’ve got nothing to lose but better health.

Call our office today at 763.432.2736 to schedule a no cost consultation.  We’re located in Plymouth, MN just 2 miles west of I-494 on Highway 55.

5 Tips to Avoid Snow Shoveling Injuries.  Plymouth MN Chiropractor.

Winter is now upon us and snow is beginning to cover the ground.  At some point we’ll need to grab a shovel to clear the sidewalks and driveways.  There’s no way to avoid it, but it is possible to avoid much of the strain it puts on our backs.  Below are some tips to help avoid injury.

1) Don’t jump out of bed in the morning and begin shoveling immediately.  Do a few morning tasks beforehand to give some time for your muscles and joints to loosen up.

2) Perform stretches.  Stretch both your upper body and lower body.

3) Push the snow.  Avoid scooping and lifting the snow as much as you can.

4) When lifting snow with the shovel throw it straight out from your body.  Avoid twisting.

5) Use a snow-blower whenever possible:)

If you do sustain an injury while shoveling put ice on it immediately to reduce any inflammation or swelling.  Consult your local chiropractor for advice on how to best take care of it.  Plymouth Spine & Health Center is available for any questions you may have.  Call us at 763.432.2736 for a free consultation.  We are always here to help!

Sciatica – What is it?  Chiropractic Plymouth.

The meaning of sciatica is often misunderstood. Sciatica is a non-specific term referring to pain, numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the buttock or leg. Sometimes there may be muscular weakness or difficulty in moving the leg. It is not a cause of low back pain, but is a set of symptoms from the sciatic nerve being irritated.  Thus, the treatment for sciatica or sciatica symptoms differs depending on what the source of the problem is.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body.  It exits the spine in the low back and runs through your hip area, buttocks, and down each leg. The sciatic nerve provides feeling to your thighs and legs and controls the muscles.

Sciatica is a sign that pressure is being put on the nerve.  It can be mechanically compressed or inflamed anywhere along its course from the low back to the legs. Sciatica is commonly caused by a disc problem (herniation, bulges, or protrusion) that compresses the nerve in the low back.

Sciatica like symptoms can also result from the nerve being compressed by the piriformis muscle which is located in the buttock area (termed Piriformis Syndrome) or damage to the facet joints in the lower back (termed Facet Syndrome).

Most cases of sciatica often resolve with non-surgical treatments such as chiropractic adjustments, disc decompression treatments, and physiotherapy modalities. In severe cases, needle injections of medication or surgery may be needed.

Finding out the underlying cause is the first step in addressing sciatica.  See your Plymouth Chiropractor to evaluate where your pain is coming from so you can get back to enjoying your life.  Contact Plymouth Spine & Health Center at 763.432.2736 for a free consultation and see how we can help!

A Common Cause of Low Back Pain.  Chiropractor Plymouth.

A common cause of lower back pain is sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction.  The SI joints are formed from the connection of the sacrum (the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine) and the right and left iliac bones (part of the pelvis).  As a result, the SI joints connect the spine to the pelvis. Its primary responsibility is to transmit all the forces from the upper body to the lower body.

People with SI joint problems often experience pain in the lower back or the back of the hips. Pain may also present in the legs or groin area. Typically the pain will worsen with standing and walking and improved with lying down.

An alteration in the normal joint motion is usually the culprit that causes the pain. Other common causes are degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis), pregnancy, or any condition that alters normal walking motion.

Treatments for SI joint pain are usually conservative and focus on trying to restore normal joint motion.  Chiropractic adjustments, along with stretches and stabilizing exercises typically help reduce the pain. If conservative approaches fail, the next steps may include cortisone injections or lastly, surgery.

If you or someone you know has been dealing with back pain, contact your Plymouth Chiropractor at 763.432.2736 and get checked today!

Take Pain Seriously. Chiropractors Plymouth.

What is pain?  In simple terms, it’s our body’s way of saying something is wrong.  Pain can vary in severity, from minor discomfort to excruciating pain.  Whether it’s mild headaches, upper back aches, or shooting pain down the leg, it’s nothing to scoff about.

As with many diseases they develop silently.  For example, let’s look at two of the leading causes of death in the United States, heart disease and cancer.  How many times have you heard of someone who felt good find out they have stage 4 cancer?  Or someone who seemed to be in perfect health dies of a sudden heart attack?  In fact, about 50% of people who have a heart attack the first sign is the heart attack.  Were these people healthy?  No.  If you stub your toe on your bed…it hurts like heck, right? Are you sick?  No.  Pain is a very poor indicator of health.

If you have recurring headaches, back pain, or any other problem that you’re feeling on the outside just know there is likely a real problem brewing on the inside.  Get it checked out. You’ll be glad you did!

Consult your Plymouth Chiropractor at Plymouth Spine and Health Center-we are here to help!

Almost everyone experiences a headache at some point in their lives.  But if you find yourself experiencing daily, weekly, or monthly headaches…having your “normal” headache-it’s not normal.  Headaches are common, but they are never normal.

Although most headaches do not indicate a serious illness, they are a major cause of suffering and missed work, and one of the most common reasons people consult a doctor.  Headaches commonly arise from muscle tension, dysfunction of joints in the neck, blood vessels, or systemic conditions such as low blood sugar.  Treating the cause of the problem usually results in success in relieving the headache.

Chiropractic is very successful with alleviating headaches, especially those arising from muscle tension and dysfunction of the joints.  Most people find a substantial reduction in severity to complete resolution of their headaches.

If you’ve been experiencing headaches contact Plymouth Spine and Health Center in Plymouth, MN at 763.432.2736 to schedule a free consultation and see how we can help.

Everywhere you look people are using smart phones, laptops, tablet computers and others.  Yes, using this modern technology is convenient and efficient, but it can also be a pain in the neck, literally.  The excessive use of these devices and the incorrect posture that often accompanies it can lead to neck and back pain, headaches and other musculoskeletal disorders.

Our bodies are not made to stay in one position for any length of time.  The consequences of maintaining the same stooped-over posture that frequently accompanies the use of technology is often pain and soreness. Over time, the repetitive stress it puts on the body adds up leading to serious musculoskeletal disorders.

The good news is there are ways to help prevent pain and injury.  By performing simple stretches and exercises and being conscious of your posture while using your device will greatly reduce your risk of injury There are also effective natural approaches to treating aches and pain, such as chiropractic care, that don’t involve drugs or surgery

If your favorite home remedies for pain aren’t working contact Plymouth Spine and Health Center in Plymouth, MN at 763.432.2736 for a free consultation and exam to see how we can help!

Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home with no exercise equipment.
It works the longus capitis, longus colli, SCM (sternocleidomastoid) muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to increase neck strength and muscular endurance.
The benefits are improved stability, functional strength and injury prevention.

Begin by lying on the back with the head extended off the table, maintaining a chin tuck position.
Slowly extend the head back towards the floor and then raise the head, returning to the initial neutral starting position and repeat as instructed.
Move slowly through the range of motion.
Slowly return to start position.
Repeat for prescribed repetitions and sets.

© 2005-2010 WebExercises, Inc., Patent Pending, All Rights Reserved.

Today, researchers know there is a link between the nervous system and the immune system.  Immune system organs, such as the spleen, lymph nodes and thymus work together to fight off illnesses.  These organs are innervated from the body’s nervous system, which consists of the brain, spinal cord and nerves.  In fact, the entire body operates from these nerve signals.  This is why chiropractic focuses on improving nerve flow of the body; so the body is able to function at its optimal level.  One vital component of the body’s system shown to benefit from chiropractic care is the immune system.

Studies have shown that people under chiropractic care have increased immune function.

A study performed by Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York’s Preventative Medicine Institute, showed that individuals who had been under chiropractic care were found to have 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic care, and 400% greater immune competence than people with cancer and other serious diseases.

Pero R. “Medical Researcher Excited By CBSRF Project Results.” The Chiropractic Journal, August 1989; 32.

Another study compared a group of HIV positive patients who were adjusted to a group that were not adjusted.  The adjusted patients showed an astonishing 48% increase in the CD4 cells (an important immune system component) while the patients who were not adjusted actually experienced a 7.96% decrease in CD4 cell counts over the same period.

Selano JL, Hightower BC, Pfleger B, Feeley-Collins K, Grostic JD. “The Effects of Specific Upper Cervical Adjustments on the CD4 Counts of HIV Positive Patients.”  The Chiro Research Journal 1994; 3(1)

In conclusion, the nervous system has shown to have a direct effect on the immune system due to the nerve supply to the immune organs.  Chiropractic can be used as a tool to help boost your immune system.  If you get sick often contact your Plymouth Chiropractor today at 763.432.2736 for details about a free consultation and examination to see how we can help.