Here at Hurst Chiropractic Center, we specialize in correcting your body’s misalignments. Our goal is to ensure that your spine and the rest of your body are working harmoniously. To do so, we will help you develop a plan that will require light stretching, some exercise, chiropractic care, and a healthy diet.

It is our number one goal to have you healthy as quickly as possible. Every time that you enter our doors, we will evaluate how the last session went so that every appointment is a step in the right direction. No matter how you hurt yourself, we will find a comfortable way to safely help you.

Back Pain

Although doctors of chiropractic treat more than just back pain, many patients initially visit a chiropractor looking for relief from this common condition. In fact, about 31 million Americans experience low back pain at any given time according to the American Chiropractic Association. Back pain is also considered the leading cause of disability in Americans under the age of 45.

Interesting Facts about Back Pain (according to the ACA)

  • Worldwide, back pain is the single leading cause of disability, preventing many people from engaging in work as well as other everyday activities.
  • Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year.
  • Back pain is the third most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, behind
  • skin disorders and osteoarthritis/joint disorders.
  • Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic—meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.

The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain. While sports injuries or accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest of movements—for example, picking up a pencil from the floor— can have painful results. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychological stress can cause or complicate back pain. Back pain can also directly result from disease of the internal organs such as kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots or bone loss.

With today’s growing emphasis on quality care, clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness, spinal manipulation is receiving increased attention. Spinal manipulation is a safe and effective non-drug spine pain treatment. It reduces pain (decreasing the need for medication in some cases), rapidly advances physical therapy, and requires very few passive forms of treatment, such as bed rest.

Tips to Prevent Back Pain according to ACA:

  • Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
  • Remain active—under the supervision of your chiropractor.
  • Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.
  • Warm up or stretch before exercising or physical activities such as gardening.
  • Maintain proper posture.
  • Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
  • Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
  • When lifting an object, lift with your knees. Keep the object close to your body and do not twist.
  • Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
  • Work with your chiropractor to ensure that your workstation is ergonomically correct.

Neck Pain

The neck, also called the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and contains seven small vertebrae. The cervical spine supports the full weight of your head which is on average about 12 pounds. While the cervical spine can move your head in nearly every direction, this flexibility makes the neck very susceptible to pain and injury.

The neck’s susceptibility to injury is due in part to biomechanics. Activities and events that affect cervical biomechanics include extended sitting, repetitive movement, accidents, falls and blows to the body or head, normal aging, and everyday wear and tear. Neck pain can be very bothersome, and it can have a variety of causes.

Here are some of the most typical causes of neck pain according to the ACA:

  • Injury and Accidents: A sudden forced movement of the head or neck in any

direction and the resulting “rebound” in the opposite direction is known as whiplash. The sudden “whipping” motion injures the surrounding and supporting tissues of the neck and head. Muscles react by tightening and contracting, creating muscle fatigue, which can result in pain and stiffness. Car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash.

  • Growing Older: Degenerative disorders such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease directly affect the spine.
  • Osteoarthritis, a common joint disorder, causes progressive deterioration of cartilage. The body reacts by forming bone spurs that affect joint motion.
  • Spinal stenosis causes the small nerve passageways in the vertebrae to narrow, compressing and trapping nerve roots. Stenosis may cause neck, shoulder, and arm pain, as well as numbness, when these nerves are unable to function normally.
  • Degenerative disc disease can cause a reduction in the elasticity and height of intervertebral discs. Over time, a disc may bulge or cause herniation. This can bring on tingling, numbness, and pain that runs into the arm.
  • Daily Life: Poor posture, obesity, and weak abdominal muscles often disrupt spinal balance, causing the neck to bend forward to compensate. Stress and emotional tension can cause muscles to tighten and contract, resulting in pain and stiffness. Postural stress can contribute to chronic neck pain with symptoms extending into the upper back and the arms.

During your visit, we will perform a thorough exam to locate the source of your pain and ask you questions about your current symptoms and remedies you may have already tried.

Please be prepared to answer some of the following questions during your appointment:

  • When did the pain start?
  • Are you currently doing anything to treat your neck pain?
  • Does the pain radiate or travel to other parts of your body?
  • Does anything reduce the pain or make it worse?

A neck adjustment (also known as cervical manipulation) is a precise procedure where pressure is applied to the joints of the neck, usually by hand. A neck adjustment works to improve the mobility of the spine and to restore range of motion. Patients typically notice an improved ability to turn and tilt the head as well as a reduction of pain, soreness and stiffness.

We will develop a program of care that may combine more than one type of treatment depending on your personal needs. In addition to manipulation, the treatment plan may also include mobilization, massage or rehabilitative exercises.

In some instances, additional testing might be necessary to help diagnose your condition. An x-ray can show narrowed disc space, fractures, bone spurs or arthritis. A computerized axial tomography scan (a CT or CAT scan) or a magnetic resonance imaging test (an MRI) can show bulging discs and herniations. If nerve damage is suspected, your doctor may order a special test called electromyography (an EMG) to measure how quickly your nerves respond.

Shoulder Pain

The shoulder is a complex region of the body made up of bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles that connect the arm to the torso. The shoulder has two joints that work together to allow arm movement. Due to the region’s complexity, there are all sorts of things that can go wrong in this area.

Shoulder pain is a very common condition and affects almost half of the U.S. Most patients feel some sort of pain, limited range of motion, an inability to engage in activities of daily living (ADL) or something more serious as a permanent disability.

At your first visit, we will take a detailed patient history to better understand your shoulder pain and how it started. The evaluation will be followed by a physical examination. During your physical exam we will determine whether or not X-rays are necessary.

Shoulder pain and injuries are often associated with lack of thoracic spine (middle segment of the back) mobility. With this type of shoulder injury, it responds well to joint manipulation/adjustment. We can treat these symptoms in a manner tailored to your treatment plan.

Knee Pain

Knee pain is increasingly becoming a more common problem in society. It is a complaint we see frequently. The most common complaint associated with knee pain is considered the normal “wear and tear.” Another ailment that affects the knee is osteoarthritis. The symptoms and progression of osteoarthritis and knee pain can be reduced through our individualized approach to chiropractic care.

The knee is a complex joint that relies heavily on ligaments and muscles for stability. The knee is a major weight bearing joint which makes it more susceptible to injury. To ensure your knee and surrounding areas are working in conjunction, we will be sure to examine your knee joint as well as your low back, pelvis, hip, ankle and foot.

Some things to consider when suffering from knee pain:

  • Is it limiting your day-to-day or sporting activities?
  • Have you tried painkillers and been told to rest with no long-term improvement?
  • Have you been told you have arthritis and there is nothing that can be done?

Chiropractic treatment may well be the answer if you said yes to either of the questions above.

We care about our patients and getting them back to optimal health as quickly as possible. Our treatment plan is outlined below to give you an idea of our approach. We will address your issue and customize your plan to best suit your needs.

Stage 1: Reduce joint inflammation and reduce pain

Our Approach: Avoidance of aggravating factors; use of a support from sports tape and the use of ice to reduce inflammation, muscle spasm and pain.

Soft Tissue Healing Therapies Used: laser, ultrasound and interferential therapy.

Stage 2: Normalize joint function

Our Approach: Specific chiropractic manipulation and mobilization techniques to areas of restricted movement in the knee and surrounding joints to increase movement, improve the function and reduce pain.

Techniques/Therapies Used: Deep soft tissue massage, trigger-point therapy and cross-friction.

Stage 3: Rehabilitation and Exercise Programs

Our Approach: When appropriate, we introduce exercises to improve strength, endurance and stability. We also work on improving your balance and evaluate your proprioception. This will help you return to your normal state while preventing any future injuries.

If you have any questions regarding restorative care, call or text us today at (208) 678-8184.