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 From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories:

Low Back and Hip Pain From Prolonged Sitting and the Relief of Chiropractic Care

Author: Natalie Meiri, D.C.        Posted: 11/27/20

 

This was a 39 year old male patient with a chief complaint of low back pain. To be HIPAA compliant, I will call him Justin instead of his real name. Justin had an information technology job for over 10 years so always sat in front of a computer. While sitting at a computer all day can obviously cause various neuromusculoskeletal problems, he felt it even more after COVID-19 started.  This was due to having to work at home.  At the office he took regular breaks throughout the day with different tasks.  However, at home every meeting was via the internet which kept him continuously sitting.  He tried taking some over the counter NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), but continued to have low back pain so he came to see me.

 

On his intake he indicated pain in his lumbar (low back) spine without any referral into his legs.  Upon examination, there was no pain with lumbar range of motion (measurement of the amount of movement around a specific joint or body part) except with flexion (to bend forward).  This was almost impossible due to pain.   However, all his left hip ranges of motion reproduced pain in his low back.  Above all, an orthopedic test for the left hip also reproduced the same pain in his low back.  It was also apparent that his problem was also in his left hip with his chiropractic alignment assessment.  Findings on his x-rays were mild degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis (wear and tear type arthritis) of both his low back and hips. 

 

 

Low Back and Hip Pain From Prolonged Sitting and the Relief of Chiropractic Care: Justin’s Treatment

 

Justin’s chiropractic treatment consisted of chiropractic manipulation/ adjustments of the lumbar spine, left hip and associated regions.  Associated regions that were adjusted were his cervical (neck) and thoracic (mid back) spine which were misaligned (subluxations or intersegmental dysfunctions) due to the condition he had. The realignment of the neck and mid back was helpful for his low back/hip condition because the upper half of the body can contribute strongly to the musculoskeletal problems in the lower half of the body and vice versa.  Additionally, soft tissue therapy (myofascial release, pressure point, and various post isometric relaxation to patient tolerance) and modalities (cold/heat therapy and electric muscle stimulation) were administered. Finally, he was given therapeutic exercises to continue his treatment at home. 

 

Low Back and Hip Pain From Prolonged Sitting and the Relief of Chiropractic Care: Ergonomics and Posture

 

To avoid repetitive injury again, recommendations were made on the importance of good posture and ergonomics at his home work station.  Firstly, Justin’s undesirable posture was corrected such as his “head forward” posture at his desk. Justin’s head, neck, and/or shoulders were bent forward excessively when working at his computer, placing the upper half of the body in a round-shouldered, slumped position.  When he worked at his desk, it was important to place the computer monitor at eye level. 

 

 

Secondly, his chair and desk were a problem. The chair needed an addition of a lumbar pillow or roll to maintain the normal lumbar lordosis (curve).  The lack of an armrest for adequate elbow support created a drag on his shoulders. And the low desk top increased flexion (bending) of his spine.  He got a different chair with armrests and also elevated his desk which created more adequate knee room. Justin’s feet now rested solidly on the floor or on some type of footrest and not dangling. While flexibility and comfort were important, his seating provided support of the normal spinal curves. In particular, the cervical and lumbar lordosis were supported with a minimum of muscular energy on his part.

 

Thirdly, he was to arrange his work station to be able to change positions as needed for specific tasks and as needed to provide adequate circulation and nutrition to his body structures. Twisting movements were to be avoided especially when leaning forward. A headset was beneficial since he spent a significant amount of time talking or listening on the telephone. Lastly, frequent breaks were recommended to stand momentarily, walk a few feet, or change the activity. 

 

Justin recovered quickly and made the recommended necessary ergonomic corrections.  Consequently, he didn’t re-injure himself at his home work station. 

 

At Meiri Chiropractic in North Palm Beach, we offer low back and hip pain relief.  We are a low back and hip pain chiropractor located in West Palm Beach, but also serve Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Juno Beach, and North Palm Beach.  We also examine, diagnose and treat many other conditions, injuries and ailments .  Call us in West Palm Beach today to learn about low back and hip pain from prolonged sitting and the relief of chiropractic care or to make an appointment.

 

Meiri Chiropractic

5601 Corporate Way, Ste 102

West Palm Beach, FL 33407

tel: 561-253-8984

 

 

Whether you’re a high school all-star, professional in the big leagues or even a little league player, sports injuries occur when engaging in sports or exercise. Over training, lack of conditioning, and improper form or technique can lead to this. Also, failing to warm up increases the risk of sports injuries. Staying fit by eating right and exercising is very beneficial for your health and overall well-being. Therefore, you certainly don’t want an injury to set you back!

Bruises, strains, sprains, tears, and broken bones can result. Soft tissues like muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia (band or sheet of connective tissue), and bursae (fluid-filled sac) may be affected. Here are 5 common sports injuries a chiropractor can help with to learn about.

 

1. Contusion

Contusion is the medical term for a bruise. You may think of a bruise as a black-and-blue spot. So when small blood vessels get torn and leak blood under the skin, you get a bruise/contusion. A contusion is the result of a direct blow or an impact, such as a fall. For instance, it can happen in kickboxing class to your hand due to improper glove/equipment.  The contusion may even be on your face. TMJ (temporomandibular) pain maybe a result of injury to the jaw or face (for example, a fall or hit that affects the chin).

 

2. Ankle Sprain

You may simply step on an uneven surface or land on the outside heel while running/jumping and get an ankle sprain.  Moreover, if you keep getting subsequent sprains, ligament laxity (looseness of a limb or muscle) plays an important role.

The vast majority of ankle sprains are due to plantar flexion (movement in which the ankle and foot bends forward or downward) and inversion (bending the ankle and foot inward toward the mid-line of the body).  Furthermore, these sprains involve the lateral (outer side) ligaments (fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to other bones). In a sequence of injury: the anterior talofibular (ankle bone and long, thin and side bone of the lower leg) ligament, calcaneofibular (heel bone and long, thin and side bone of the lower leg) ligament, and the posterior talofibular (rear ankle bone and long, thin and side bone of the lower leg) ligament which are the lateral (outer side) ligaments. The more rare eversion turning (movement where ankle/foot bends inside-out) sprain damages the medial (toward middle) ligament complex referred to as the deltoid ligament.

3) Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)

The pain of shin splints along the tibia (shinbone) is most likely caused by overuse.  Hyperpronation of the foot (when the ankle bone turns inward and the rest of the foot turns outward) and tight heel cords, especially in joggers and runners, have been implicated. Several theories have been proposed, but nothing definite has been proven.  The American Medical Association limited the definition to musculotendinous (muscle-tendon) inflammations, and excluded stress fractures (tiny cracks in a bone).  Shin Splints are also common in dancers and military recruits.

 

 

4) Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) /Golfers Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

“Tennis elbow” is due to repetitive movements requiring forceful wrist extension (straightening arm so that the elbow joint is open), radial deviation (movement of bending the wrist to the thumb), and supination (movement where palm or forearm faces up). Other sports and occupational activities are also possible causes besides from tennis such as meat cutters, plumbers, and weavers. With tennis, novice players with poor backhand technique account for most cases. With professional players, forehand and serving may be the cause. The more frequently an individual plays, the higher the risk of developing tennis elbow.

With golfer’s elbow, you may feel medial (inside) elbow pain following a repetitive activity such as hammering or use of a screwdriver. In athletes, the inciting activity usually involves wrist flexion (bending) and pronation (palm or forearm faces down) such as in serving and overhead strokes. Golfing or throwing may also cause symptoms. You may also complain of pain or weakness on gripping.

 

5) Hamstring strain

Perhaps you were sprinting or jumping and you over contracted the hamstrings while in a position of stretch.  You may be an athlete who feels a sudden pull or pop at the back of the thigh following a forceful knee extension maneuver. The hamstrings are a group of three muscles that run along the back of your thigh. They allow you to bend your leg at the knee. Tendons and aponeurosis (a sheet of pearly white fibrous tissue) connect the muscles with the structures (i.e. bones ) to be moved. Tearing of the hamstrings occurs most often at the junction of the muscle and aponeurosis . Avulsion of the ischial tuberosity (sitting bone) apophysis (natural protuberance from a bone for the attachment of muscles) is possible in younger athletes.

 

Recovering from a Sports injury

While ice and rest from the inciting activity are a start.  And you may try a drug for fast pain relief for the moment. This is not a long term solution.  A sports injury chiropractor serving West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Juno Beach and North Palm Beach can help you with the 5 common sports injuries a chiropractor can help with to get you back to your sport.  Even better, prevent future injuries and achieve peak performance by ensuring proper alignment on a regular basis with chiropractic. Contact Meiri Chiropractic today on the 5 common sports injuries a chiropractor can help with and/or other ailments you may have.

 

 

Meiri Chiropractic

5601 Corporate Way, Ste 102

West Palm Beach, FL 33407

561-253-8984

 

    

Many chiropractic doctors offer natural adjunctive therapies and supplementation proven to effectively augment chiropractic treatment. Homeopathy is included in this list.  Read on to learn how homeopathy is a natural alternative treatment used by chiropractors.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that has been used by millions of people worldwide for over 200 years.  It is prescribed and recommended by health care providers in over 65 countries.  Moreover, homeopathic medicines are used in extremely dilute concentrations that are nontoxic. And when administered according to homeopathic principles, are safe in infants, pregnant women, children, and adults.  While homeopathy is not a substitute for allopathic (conventional) medicine, it is effective and beneficial for a wide variety of acute and chronic problems such as: allergies, coughs, colds, influenzas, stress, digestive problems, migraine headaches, insomnia, arthritis pain, muscle pain, sports injury pain, chronic fatigue, premenstrual syndrome, and menopausal trouble.

 

 

Homeopathy is a natural alternative treatment used by chiropractors….Why a natural alternative?

Patients have asked for years about natural, reliable treatments without the unwanted side effects.  Conventional drugs are made from synthetic substances and can cause toxic side effects.  Homeopathic medicines are composed of herbal, mineral and animal substances.  Above all, non-invasive and non-toxic, it works by stimulating a natural healing reaction in a person. The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) regulates the remedies/medicines and pharmacies.

What does research and experience tell us?

For two centuries, homeopathy has been systematically proven by doctors’ observations of thousands of successfully treated cases.  Today, an increasing number of scientific studies are being conducted on homeopathy.  And there are 1000s of preclinical and clinical positive outcome studies.  Furthermore, many have been published in medical journals.

 

Celebrities that use homeopathy are numerous.  Cindy Crawford (super model) and Roger Daltrey (The Who) first discovered homeopathy because of an illness their child had, and they found that homeopathy worked where conventional medicine had not. Robin McGraw, (wife of “Dr. Phil” McGraw) used it for hot flashes of menopause.   “Cher” (singer/actress) used it for recurrent pneumonia and chronic fatigue. Tina Turner writes in her autobiography, “Life in the fast lane wore me down, changes in my diet and homeopathy saved me.” Some of the more well-known supporters of homeopathy are the royals, such as The Queen and HRH Prince Charles and more recently Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

 

Sports stars/athletes who use homeopathy include: Jose Maria Olazabal– (pro golfer), for rheumatoid polyarthritis (arthritis in multiple joints);  James Ellingon, the British Olympic sprinter, used homeopathy for muscle and joint pain before his competitions; the soccer star David Bekham used homeopathy for his broken foot before competing in the World Cup; Paul O’Neill, former right fielder for the Yankees; Arnie Kander, strength and conditioning coach of the NBA Detroit Pistons.