From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories:

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Restless Leg Syndrome

Author: Natalie Meiri, D.C.     Posted: 10/27/24

 

This is my clinical pearl story about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Restless Leg Syndrome. I helped this patient with more than his neck and back pain. His chief complaints were neck and back pain, leg movements during sleep and even involuntary leg movements when awake. He was a 42 year old male patient. To be HIPAA compliant, I will call him Francisco instead of his real name. 

Francisco’s neck and back pain had come and gone over the years without any treatment.  Then  a month ago the restless leg syndrome had started.  He had tried over the counter natural supplementation (e.g. magnesium), massage and even gone to a neurologist who ordered a MRI of his brain and ordered blood tests which all showed normal findings.  The neurologist told him he had rest leg syndrome and gave him a prescription drug to help with the symptoms. Francisco didn’t like the side effects of nausea, dizziness and worsening sleep problems.

Francisco’s boat repair business was doing well, but it was a lot of hard manual labor which caused him stress.  Additionally, he had a wife and they enjoyed hiking and camping together.  Warren exercised regularly and “ate a healthy diet”.  In fact, he had never been to a doctor since he was a kid until recently.  However, both Francisco and his wife were having trouble sleeping lately because of his restless leg syndrome.  So his wife suggested he see a chiropractor.

 

What is Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)?

RLS is a form of sleep disorder that includes periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS).  It is a condition where involuntary motor movements of the limbs occur during the sleep cycle.  Furthermore, this can lead to a shift in the sleep phases/stage and repeated awakenings. Temporary relief happens when the patient moves his/her legs.

If you cannot stop moving your legs or often have jerks, this could be restless legs syndrome or myoclonic jerks.  These prevent and interrupt sleep.  Restless Leg Syndrome is characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs because of what’s been described as a “creeping” sensation inside the calves. Similarly, you may also have nocturnal myoclonus (sudden, brief involuntary twitching or jerking of a muscle).

Patients with restless leg syndrome may have an underlying cause which is a neurological and non-neurological disorder such as peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson’s disease, uremia, iron deficiency, varicose veins, rheumatoid arthritis, and side effects from certain medications.  Moreover, it may be due to pregnancy. Also, there is a genetic/ inherited component believed to be related to a defect in dopamine (neurotransmitter that affects emotions, behavior, and movement) or iron metabolism.

The criteria for diagnosis of restless leg syndrome are the following: the desire to move the extremities, often associated with paresthesia (pins and needles) or dysesthesia (unpleasant abnormal sensation), motor restlessness, aggravation of symptoms by rest and at least temporary relief by activity, and worsening of symptoms in the evening or night.

1 in 10 people in the United States may have RLS. And the numbers may be higher due to misdiagnoses or underdiagnoses. RLS seems to be more prevalent in adults and advancing age.  It is a major cause of insomnia.

Francisco’s Examination and Imaging

Upon examination, Francisco tested positive for his neuromusculoskeletal neck and back pain (cervicalgia and lumbago) conditions.  And his history and imaging report from his neurologist confirmed his diagnose of RLS.

 

Alternative Treatments for Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Firstly, if the RLS is due to a deficiency such as iron, supplementation is necessary. Vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, E, B6, and B12, magnesium, and iron may give relief. Eating a healthy diet as well as taking supplements is helpful.

Secondly, limiting caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol use may improve your RLS symptoms.

Thirdly, activities that provide mental stimulation and/or de stress your mind may also provide relief. In addition, Studies have shown a higher prevalence of RLS in persons who were sedentary and overweight. A moderate exercise regimen (e.g. 3-day per week exercise program) consisting of lower body resistance training and aerobic exercise may help significantly.

Fourthly, chiropractic care is an excellent natural alternative treatment for RLS without the side effects of drugs.  Chiropractic “Manual procedures and, specifically, the adjustment are applied to address local NMS (neuromusculoskeletal) disorders and to improve NMS function. A consequence of improved NMS function may be improvement in the body’s ability to self-regulate, thereby allowing the body to seek homeostasis and improved health”.(1)

Simply put, spinal adjustments take pressure off your nervous system and help your body to function optimally. Adjustments help your body seek homeostasis, which is the state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained for optimal survival and wellness.

 

Francisco’s Treatment and Outcome

First, Francisco’s treatments included chiropractic adjustment/ manipulation to his cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) spine and associated regions.  Associated regions were his thoracic (mid back) spine. And because of the restless leg syndrome, chiropractic manipulation  was performed bilaterally (both) on his lower extremities (legs) as needed.  Second, soft tissue therapy (myofascial release, pressure point and various post isometric relaxation procedures) was rendered as necessary. Third, modalities (cold/heat therapy and electric muscle stimulation) were administered as needed. Fourth, exercises for stretching, strengthening, and better posture were recommended.

Fifth, I recommended avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, and taking a multi-vitamin which included iron. Francisco stopped eating all sugary snacks, practiced proper fluid (water) and diet (fruits, vegetables, fiber) intake more vigorously.

Finally, after a few months of regular chiropractic care, Francisco’s neck/back pain and RLS improved and then subsided.

 

Are you looking for the best chiropractor in West Palm Beach? Dr. Natalie Meiri can definitely help you.  Find out more about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Restless Leg Syndrome. Call 561-253-8984 today for an appointment.

 

References:

Thomas Bergman, David Peterson, Chiropractic Technique Principles and Procedures, 3rd edition, 2011 (1)

 

From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories:

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Chronic Neck Pain After an Auto Accident

Author: Natalie Meiri, D.C.     Posted: 10/21/24

 

This was a 40 year old male patient with a chief complaint of chronic neck pain. To be HIPAA compliant, I will call him Han instead of his real name. Han had 4 car accidents by the time he was 40 years old which caused his chronic neck pain. Moreover, he experienced headaches everyday. Also, he stated his neck hurt when he moved his right shoulder. Additionally, there was “clicking” in his anterior (front) glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint).

Han had never had the headaches until a few months ago, but had the neck pain for many years.  Recently, he had gone to the orthopedist about his condition.  And he was told it was a “pinched nerve”.  Han was given Corticosteroids to take for a week (a type of hormone that suppresses inflammation and is used to treat both local and systemic inflammation).

After the automobile accidents, he had gotten some treatment for some of the accidents.  However, his neck was chronically in pain.  Furthermore, his right shoulder problem was an injury from the gym and repetitive work from painting his home.  Han had not been to the gym in about a year due to a lack of time.  He stated his level of stress was high and wanted to return to the gym.

 

Han’s Examination and X-rays  

The cervical (neck) x-rays taken at the orthopedist office showed findings consistent with moderate osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis).  Upon examination, I found positive tests for a cervical (neck) radiculopathy (nerve root in the spine is compressed or irritated) with thoracic (midback) myalgia (muscle pain) diagnoses. And Han’s right shoulder tests indicated a strain/tendinitis (muscle injury) of his right shoulder. I would order an MRI of his neck if his condition didn’t improve within a month.

 

 

Han’s Treatment at Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach

Firstly, he received chiropractic adjustments/ manipulation to his cervical (neck), thoracic (mid back) spine, and right shoulder.  Secondly, various soft tissue manipulation (myofascial release, pressure point and various post isometric relaxation procedures) was rendered as necessary.  Thirdly, home exercises for stretching, strengthening, stabilization and posture correction were given.

 

Han’s Chiropractic Treatment Outcome

Han started feeling better within a few visits.  Recommendations were made on diet/nutrition and lifestyle (i.e. ergonomic/posture).  He started eating better which contributed to faster healing.  Han avoided sugar and processed or fast food. And included as much fresh food as possible.  Han eventually joined a gym.  Regular exercise helped his stress level and over all health/conditioning.

The treatment took a few months of regular chiropractic care. Han responded well to his West Palm Beach chiropractic care!  Was he able to live completely pain-free?  No, because it’s impossible for anyone to be completely free of pain in life.  However, Han thought daily about improving his function and not the pain anymore.  Lastly, Han was able to live life with more energy and improved performance.

 

Dr. Natalie Meiri adjusts a patient

 

Research For Neck Pain and Chiropractic Care

A review of scientific literature found evidence that patients with chronic neck pain enrolled in clinical trials reported significant improvement following chiropractic spinal manipulation. As part of the literature review, published in the March/April 2007 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, the researchers reviewed nine previously published trials and found “high-quality evidence” that patients with chronic neck pain showed significant pain-level improvements following spinal manipulation. 

In a study funded by NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to test the effectiveness of different approaches for treating mechanical neck pain, 272 participants were divided into three groups that received either spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) from a doctor of chiropractic (DC), pain medication (over-the-counter pain relievers, narcotics and muscle relaxants) or exercise recommendations. After 12 weeks, about 57 percent of those who met with DCs and 48 percent who exercised reported at least a 75 percent reduction in pain, compared to 33 percent of the people in the medication group. After one year, approximately 53 percent of the drug-free groups continued to report at least a 75 percent reduction in pain; compared to just 38 percent pain reduction among those who took medication.

Bronfort et al. (2012), Annals of Internal Medicine

 

Are you suffering from Chronic Neck Pain?

Meiri Chiropractic serving West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach and the surrounding areas offers excellent chiropractic care for your neck, back and extremities (arms and legs). Call us in West Palm Beach at 561-253-8984 to schedule an appointment or to find out more about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Chronic Neck Pain After an Auto Accident.

 

                    

 

 

 

From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories:

Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Back Pain From Illiopsoas Syndrome

This is my clinical pearl story about Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Back Pain From Illiopsoas Syndrome.  The patient was a 50 year old female patient.  Her chief complaint was low back pain.  To be HIPAA compliant, I will call her Lilly instead of her real name. 

Lilly’s low back pain had come on a week ago.  She wasn’t able to straighten up and was bent over. In fact, lying on an exercise ball or in a fetal position in bed with pillows for support helped. Low back pain was an “on going problem” she had dealt with for years. She had gone to physical therapy (P.T.) regularly, but this time she wasn’t getting any relief from P.T.

Lilly had always tried to be active by walking or simple yoga exercises at home.  However, recently she had tried interval training.  So this entailed running for periods of intense, fast paces followed by less intense recovery.  And she thought this may have set off this severe episode of low back pain. 

.

Lilly’s Examination

Upon examination, Lilly tested positive for her low back condition.  Lily had strained (strain which occurs when a muscle or tendon is overstretched or torn) her low back.  Specifically, she had a severe iliopsoas muscle syndrome.

 

Anatomy and Function of the Illiopsoas Muscle

Firstly, the iliopsoas muscle complex is made up of three muscles that includes the iliacus, psoas major and psoas minor.  It can function as a unit or as separate muscles. The iliopsoas musculotendinous unit is part of the inner muscles of the hip. It is important for correct standing or sitting and for lumbar posture.

Secondly, the iliopsoas muscle primarily flexes the hip and participates in external (outward) rotation of the hip joint. Iliopsoas has an important role in maintaining the strength and integrity of the hip and spine. Unilateral (one sided) contraction of this muscle assists with lateral (away from body) motion of the spine. Bilateral (both sided) contraction elevates the trunk from the supine position (lying down).  The psoas can assist extension of the lumbar spine (lowback) while standing. 

Thirdly, the psoas major portion of the iliopsoas is located along the sides of the lumbar vertebrae (lowback bones) and intervertebral discs. Below it attaches to the lesser trochanter of the femur (bony protuberance of thigh bone). The iliacus of the the iliopsoas attaches to the upper two-thirds of the iliac fossa (pelvis). Below, it joins the psoas major tendon to the femur near the lesser trochanter.

 

Symptoms of Iliopsoas Muscle Syndrome

First, the symptoms from dysfunction of the iliopsoas are aggravated by walking, standing or any weight bearing activity.  You will feel relief with recumbency (lying down).  Additionally, relief is greater when the hip is flexed since this will relax the muscle.

Second, Iliopsoas Muscle Syndrome is said to be as painful as appendicitis when very acute. 

Third, the muscle can cause a painful compression/entrapment syndrome of the femoral nerve (large nerve in the front of the thigh that controls the muscles and sensation in the lower limbs).

Forth, unidentified iliopsoas and/or low back muscle dysfunctions are frequently responsible for a failed low back postsurgical syndrome.

 

Lilly’s Treatment and Outcome

 Treatment focused on restoring normal mobility to the low back and pelvis.  These treatments at Meiri Chiropractic included:

-Chiropractic manipulative therapy- to the spinal joints and associated regions (e.g. hip, pelvis). 

-Gentle myofascial release and/or post isometric relaxation techniques- to the soft tissues (e.g. iliopsoas muscles, tendons, fascia) involved.

-Electric Muscle Stimulation, Ice and Heat Therapies for pain relief and inflammation reduction.

-Therapeutic exercise- with  gentle stretching and a long-term goal of restrengthening of the Illiopsoas was recommended.

-Finally, recommendations for prevention of further injury for the spine and pelvis. 

Lilly felt better even after the first visit and within 12 visits was pain-free and functioning fully.  Moreover, Lily’s posture was  restored and improved.  Thereafter, she came in for other injuries or for supportive care/maintenance of her spine and the Illiopsoas muscle.

 

Are you suffering from Illiopsoas Muscle Syndrome? Dr. Natalie Meiri can definitely help you.  Call 561-253-8984 today for an appointment or to find out more about Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Back Pain From Illiopsoas Syndrome.

 

References:

Thomas Bergman, David Peterson, Chiropractic Technique Principles and Procedures, 3rd edition, 2011

Janet Travel and David Simon, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction,  1997

 

 

There is a common misconception that chiropractors are just “spine doctors”.  However, from the very beginning, chiropractic adjustments have been delivered to the nonspinal joints as well. The nonspinal joints include the temporamandibular (TMJ), shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot. For example, D.D. Palmer, the founder of the chiropractic profession described his treatment of the feet in 1910. In fact, applying manual procedures to the peripheral (nonspinal) joints is taught in all accredited chiropractic programs.

In this post, we explain about Chiropractic West Palm Beach:  3 Foot Conditions Caused by Forefoot Varus.

 

What is forefoot varus?

Sometimes a forefoot (front) varus (turned inward) deformity develops.  It is an osseous (bony) structural abnormality in which the plantar (bottom) forefoot remains inverted (rolled inward) relative to the plantar rearfoot. And this is when the foot is in a neutral position.  The condition causes some of the most severe overpronation problems. So pronation refers to the way your foot rolls inward for impact distribution upon landing. 

A forefoot varus deformity is said to be congenital (condition present from birth).  Research has postulated many reasons as to why infants develop a forefoot varus deformity. It is most likely the result of osseous abnormalities in the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid articulations (foot joints). 

However, you can also have a functional forefoot varus.  Here the forefoot appears inverted relative to the rearfoot, but this position is the result of soft tissue restriction.  It is not a congenital osseous malalignment deformity. 

In either case, the biomechanical defect present in the arch of the foot is the basic cause for many postural problems, hip/ back problems, and injuries of the lower extremity (limb).  Below are 3 possible injuries due to a forefoot varus.

Entrapment of Medial and Lateral Plantar Nerves (Jogger’s Foot)

Because of the forefoot varus there will be excessive calcaneal (heel) eversion (rotating the sole of the foot away from the body’s midline) as heel lift occurs during the gait. This causes injury to the foot by overstretching of the muscles involved.  So the muscles working during the stance phase that help with deceleration loose their ability to stabilize the foot/ankle. In other words, after being “overly stretched” the muscles can’t generate enough force for the next part of the gait. 

Finally, the intrinsic muscles try to compensate in an attempt to decrease the strains placed upon the stabilizing ligaments/soft tissue.  In conclusion, this may lead to hyperactivity (overworking) specifically of abductor hallucis (intrinsic muscle of great toe) throughout the gait.  Therefore, this may result in entrapment neuropathy of the medial and lateral plantar nerves (branches of the tibial nerve) underneath the deep fascia of the Abductor Hallucis muscle.

 

Plantar Fasciatiis

The plantar fascia is often injured due to a forefoot varus. Because the forefoot varus tends to collapse into a pronated position, there is repeated dorsiflexion (lifting up) of the great toe during the propulsive period of the gait.  Next, this generates a lot of strain on the plantar fascia.  The plantar fascia is mostly elastic which takes the force generated by this.  Then this force is transferred to the bony attachment (of planta fascia) at the calcaneaus (heel).  Also, it’s been noted in research that enough strain/force can be put on by the plantar fascia to even cause a stress fracture.

 

Achilles Tendinitis/Peritendinitis (Tendon inflammation)

Achilles tendinitis is another common injury due to forefoot varus.  Again, this is due to excessive pronation because of forefoot varus during the propulsive phase of the Gait.  If excessive subtalar (one of ankle joints) pronation maintains the entire lower extremity (limb) in an internally rotated position, this twists the achilles tendon. As a result, this twisting of the achilles places more strain on it during early propulsion of the gait.  Research has shown that forefoot varus is a frequent cause of “snapping injuries  of the achilles tendon.

 

 

Dr Meiri adjusts a patient's ankle
Dr Meiri adjusts a patient’s ankle
Chiropractic West Palm Beach:  Chiropractic Care for Forefoot Varus and 3 Foot Conditions.

Firstly, as mentioned previously, in a functional forefoot varus the forefoot appears inverted relative to the rearfoot.  The culprit is the soft tissue restriction and not a congenital (a structural birth) deformity.  In other words, the soft tissue contracture occurred over time. 

Secondly, Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy should be delivered to the joints associated with the forefoot varus.  For example, adjustments to the ankle and foot joints.

Thirdly, stretching and strengthening exercises are important.  Specifically, the muscles involved would be the peroneus longus (muscle in the lower leg that moves foot and ankle) and flexor hallucis brevis (big toe muscle) muscles to help stabilize the forefoot.

Fourthly, an orthotic may also provide additional support for a forefoot varus deformity.  Certainly, a well designed shoe even without an orthotic has the ability to support the forefoot varus.   

 

Treatment of Forefoot Varus at Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach

As is the case with the spine, a detailed examination is necessary to determine the diagnosis and treatment plan for your forefoot varus and foot injury.  In addition to joint manipulation and adjustments to the extremity (limb) joints, at Meiri Chiropractic, we use soft tissue procedures, hot and cold modalities, stretching exercises, and rehabilitation exercises.

At Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach we spend the time necessary to examine, diagnose and treat every neuromusculoskeletal condition and various ailments you have. Through regular chiropractic visits, you can get pain relief and improve function. Chiropractic is a holistic and natural way to not only treat existing conditions, but to keep your body in its best working condition.  Meiri Chiropractic has been offering effective chiropractic care in Palm Beach County since 2006.  Many of our patient reviews note our excellence.  Call us today at 561-253-8984 in West Palm Beach to make an appointment or to find out more about Chiropractic West Palm Beach: 3 Foot Conditions Caused by Forefoot Varus.

 

References: Thomas Bergman, David Peterson, Chiropractic Technique Principles and Procedures, 3rd edition, 2011

                       Warren Hammer, Functional Soft Tissue Examination and Treatment by Manual Methods, 2nd edition 1999

 

 

There is a common misconception that chiropractors are just “spine doctors”.  However, from the very beginning, chiropractic adjustments have been delivered to the nonspinal joints as well. The nonspinal joints include the temporamandibular (TMJ), shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot. For example, D.D. Palmer, the founder of the chiropractic profession described his treatment of the feet in 1910. In fact, applying manual procedures to the peripheral (nonspinal) joints is taught in all accredited chiropractic programs.

In this post, we explain about Chiropractor West Palm Beach:  Forefoot Varus and Sciatica.

 

What is forefoot varus?

Sometimes a forefoot (front) varus (turned inward) deformity develops.  It is an osseous (bony) structural abnormality in which the plantar (bottom) forefoot remains inverted (rolled inward) relative to the plantar rearfoot. And this is when the foot is in a neutral position.  The condition causes some of the most severe overpronation problems. So pronation refers to the way your foot rolls inward for impact distribution upon landing. 

A forefoot varus deformity is said to be congenital (condition present from birth).  Research has postulated many reasons as to why infants develop a forefoot varus deformity. It is most likely the result of osseous abnormalities in the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid articulations (foot joints). 

However, you can also have a functional forefoot varus.  Here the forefoot appears inverted relative to the rearfoot, but this position is the result of soft tissue restriction.  It is not a congenital osseous malalignment deformity. 

In either case, the biomechanical defect present in the arch of the foot is the basic cause for many postural problems, back problems such as sciatica, and injuries of the lower extremity (limb).

How Sciatica Develops from a Forefoot Varus

Potential injuries associated with forefoot varus can cause postural affects due to excessive pronation of the foot.  Excessive subtalar pronation causes the talus (bone that articulates with tibia/shin bone) to adduct (move toward midline) and plantar flex (move ankle to point toe downward) which results in excessive internal (inward) rotation.  And as a result, this lowers the entire lower extremity.  In a sense, this creates a functional short leg.

With the imbalance, tensile strain is put on the iliopsoas (a deep muscle group that connects the spine to the lower limbs) and piriformis muscles. And this leads to a narrowing of the greater sciatic notch (sciatic nerve exits pelvis here) in the pelvis. As a consequence, this predisposes to entrapment of the sciatic nerve. 

Furthermore, as the lower extremity drops inferiorly (downward), the ipsilateral innominate (one of pelvic bones) is lowered. And this causes the body of the L5 vertebrae to rotate toward the “functionally shorted leg”.  This can lead to compression of the spinal discs and the joints. Indeed, overuse injury will occur if not corrected leading to sciatica and other low back conditions.

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach:  Chiropractic Care for Forefoot Varus and Sciatica

Firstly, as mentioned previously, in a functional forefoot varus the forefoot appears inverted relative to the rearfoot.  The culprit is the soft tissue restriction and not a congenital (a structural birth) deformity.  In other words, the soft tissue contracture occurred over time. 

Secondly, your Kinetic chain is a combination of several successively arranged joints, constituting a complex unit, as links in a chain. Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy should be delivered to the joints associated with both the forefoot varus and the sciatica.  For example, adjustments to the lumbopelvic (low back and pelvis), ankle and foot joints.

Thirdly, stretching and strengthening exercises are important.  Specifically, the muscles involved would be the peroneus longus (muscle in the lower leg that moves foot and ankle) and flexor hallucis brevis (big toe muscle) muscles to help stabilize the forefoot.

Fourthly, an orthotic may also provide additional support for a forefoot varus deformity.  Certainly, a well designed shoe even without an orthotic has the ability to support the forefoot varus.   

Dr Natalie Meiri adjusts a patient's ankle/foot

 

Treatment of Forefoot Varus at Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach

As is the case with the spine, a detailed examination is necessary to determine the diagnosis and treatment plan for your forefoot varus and back condition.  In addition to joint manipulation and adjustments to the extremity (limb) joints, at Meiri Chiropractic, we use soft tissue procedures, hot and cold modalities, stretching exercises, and rehabilitation exercises.

At Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach we spend the time necessary to examine, diagnose and treat every neuromusculoskeletal condition and various ailments you have. Through regular chiropractic visits, you can get pain relief and improve function. Chiropractic is a holistic and natural way to not only treat existing conditions, but to keep your body in its best working condition.  Meiri Chiropractic has been offering effective chiropractic care in Palm Beach County since 2006.  Many of our patient reviews note our excellence.  Call us today at 561-253-8984 in West Palm Beach to make an appointment or to find out more about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Forefoot Varus and Sciatica.

 

References: Thomas Bergman, David Peterson, Chiropractic Technique Principles and Procedures, 3rd edition, 2011

                       Warren Hammer, Functional Soft Tissue Examination and Treatment by Manual Methods, 3rd edition

 

 

 

If you have neck pain due to a cervical (neck) herniated disc and chiropractic care is your choice, surgery may be avoided!  We’ve got some great information to share below.

Chiropractic West Palm Beach: What is a Herniated Disc?

The term ‘disc’ is short for ‘intervertebral disc’. The disc is essentially divided into two parts: (1) a central, softer jelly like inner nucleus pulposus. And (2) an outer tougher, dense connective tissue (fibrocartilaginous) annulus fibrosus surrounding it. The discs separate the bones of the spine (vertebrae).

A herniated disc refers to a problem with one of the discs that sit between the individual bones (vertebrae) that stack to make your spine. Sometimes called a slipped disc or a ruptured disc, a herniated disc occurs when some of the nucleus pulposus pushes out through a tear in the annulus fibrosus.  A herniated disc, which can occur in any part of the spine, can irritate a nearby nerve. 

 

Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Diagnosis of a Herniated Disc

After an examination entailing Orthopaedic/neurologic testing, imaging will be ordered by your doctor. Next, radiographic (x-ray) evaluation of the neck is sometimes necessary to determine the degree of bony foraminal encroachment causing irritation to the nerve root. Finally, a MRI (magentic resonance imaging) may be ordered to actually visualize the herniated disc.

 

Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Symptoms of a Herniated Disc

Depending on where the herniated disc is in your spine, it can result in pain or weakness in an arm or leg. In the neck, you may have neck, arm pain or hand weakness.  You often will have a painful restriction in moving often more on one side of the neck. It can cause a deep ache or sharp, electric shock like pain or numbness.  Movements such as sneezing, laughing, coughing, or any other sudden movement can exacerbate the pain.  Some patients report some relief with the hand held behind the head for neck herniations.

 

Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Causes of a Herniated Disc

Firstly, most often, a disc herniation is the result of a gradual, aging-related wear and tear called disc degeneration. As you get older, your discs become less flexible and more prone to tearing or rupturing. However, a disc herniation can occur from a traumatic injury such as a fall or a car accident. Many people state it happened after a simple sudden twisting or bending movement. Furthermore, it may cause neck and arm pain that came on after only a minor injury or insidiously (subtle but harmful).

Secondly, repetitive strain over time with incorrect posture and motions, can eventually herniate a disc. This may be repetitive movements in sports or at work. Additionally, you may have a past history of multiple occurrences of neck pain that resolved. 

Thirdly, nerve root irritation may occur as a result of a disc herniation. In the past it was believed that all referred pain that was radicular (nerve root origin) was due to compression of a nerve root by a herniated nucleus pulposus.  Current thinking is that the nerve root is inflamed, but not always compressed. It is theorized that herniated disc material initiates an autoimmune inflammatory reaction or releases irritating substances. So the disc, the corresponding inflamed nerve root, or compression of the nerve root by the disc may be the source of pain.

 

Dr. Natalie Meiri adjusts a patient
Dr. Natalie Meiri adjusts a patient

 

Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Neck Pain Due to a Herniated Disc 

Dr. Natalie Meiri will examine you and come up with a treatment plan to get you better. Through regular visits, you can get pain relief and improve your neck and back health with chiropractic manipulative treatments without surgery.

“Softer” approaches involving “no rotation” chiropractic manipulative treatments such as flexion-distraction, blocking, and prone (patient face down) drop-table adjusting are available.  Meiri Chiropractic’s very effective technique is to manipulate at sites other than the herniation. Our other therapies, such as soft tissue techniques, therapeutic exercise and electric muscle stimulation, and ice/ heat therapies may also provide some relief for your pain. 

Call our office which serves West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach and the surrounding areas at 561-253-8984 to make an appointment.  Get out of pain today and find out more about Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Neck Pain Due to a Herniated Disc.

 

 

Meiri Chiropractic

5601 Corporate Way, Ste. 102

West Palm Beach, FL 33407

561-253-8984