Tag Archives: chiropractic

Jun 12

Coping with Back Pain during Pregnancy

Posted on by

Coping with Back Pain during Pregnancy by Olivia O Leary D.C BSc Hons Chiropractic

back pain during pregnancyBack pain in pregnancy is a common complaint we see at Gorey Family Chiropractic Clinic, complicating approximately half of all pregnancies in Ireland each year. For pregnant women, back pain during pregnancy is not a trivial matter.  Left unaddressed, pregnancy back pain can have a negative impact on your daily lifestyle, from causing missed time from work, affecting looking after other children, to making your delivery more difficult.

To help make your pregnancy as pleasant as possible and facilitate an easier delivery, it is generally recommended that back pain should be always be addressed as quickly as possible and managed throughout your pregnancy.

Lower back pain in pregnancy that lasts a long time (several weeks or months) is a predictor for postpartum back pain (pain after birth). For this reason, pregnant women are encouraged to look after their back whilst pregnant and to seek guidance and treatment where appropriate during pregnancy for back pain.

Risk Factors for the Development of Pregnancy Back Pain

  • pregnancy back acheA physically strenuous occupation, for instance a job with lifting or standing involved or even a pregnant mother caring for other small children can increase the risk of back pain developing in the course of a pregnancy.
  •  A prior history of back pain or pelvic girdle pain
  • Previous injury to the back or pelvis from an accident or trauma is another known predisposing factor in the development of back pain in pregnancy.

Causes of Back Pain

The causes of back pain in pregnancy are largely related to problems with two structures in the lower back, the sacroiliac joints and the lumbar spine.

Typically there are three main reasons why these structures become painful:

1.    As a mother’s abdomen grows back painduring pregnancy, the center of gravity in her body is forced to change in response to the increasing weight of the baby coupled with the weight of the amniotic fluid, sac, placenta etc.

This increasing weight pulls forward and the pregnant mother is forced to increase   the curve of her lumbar spine to compensate.

2.    The sacroiliac joints, an attachment point of the pelvis to the spine can frequently become unstable in the latter stages of pregnancy. These joints, already under considerable pressure from the increasing weight of the bump, are affected by the hormonal changes a women’s body goes through during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

The pregnancy hormones affect the laxity of the ligaments that connect the sacroiliac joints to the spine. This occurs so that the pelvis may expand to allow the passage of the baby downwards through the birth canal so as to facilitate giving birth. However this process creates significant instability of the multiple ligamentous structures at the very same point when these structures are under pressure from the increased weight of the abdomen.

This capregnancy back painn give rise to a condition called Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction or SPD.

The pain from this disorder can radiate to your thighs, and some women feel or hear a clicking or grinding in the pelvic/ pubic area.

The pain can be most noticeable when you are:
•    Walking
•    Going upstairs
•    Standing on one leg (for example when you’re getting dressed)
•   Turning over in bed and it can also be difficult to move your legs apart, for example when you get out of a car.

There is treatment to help, and techniques to manage the pain and discomfort. If you get the right advice and treatment early on, SPD can usually be managed and the symptoms minimised.

The tips listed here can help you to protect and minimise the strain on your back

  •  Avoid lifting heavy objects
  •  Bend your knees and keep your  back straight when lifting
  •  Move your feet when turning round to avoid twisting your spine
  •  Wear flat shoes as these allow your weight to be evenly distributed
  •   Work at a surface high enough to prevent you stooping
  •   Sit with your back straight and well supported
  •   Make sure you get enough rest, particularly later in pregnancy

How Can Pregnancy Related Back Pain be Treated?

Firstly if you aRelieving back painre intending to get pregnant pre-emptive treatment through exercise is extremely beneficial particularly if you are a sufferer of back pain prior to pregnancy.

Where possible try to strengthen you core before becoming pregnant. Developing strong core musculature helps support the spine, baby and eases the pressure exerted on the lumbar spine and sacro-iliac joints.

Our Gorey Family Chiropractic team may utilise different tailor made treatments for pregnancy back pain, including specific advice& instructions on how to address your individual back problem yourself.  This is determined following a thorough assessment and evaluation and has been shown to be a safe effective way of easing the pain coming from structures such as the muscles, ligaments and joint of the spine and pelvis.

Chiropractic aims to relieve or ease pain, improve muscle function and improve your pelvic joint position and stability, and may include

  • Manual therapy to make sure the joints of your pelvis, hip and   spine move normally
  • Exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor, stomach, back and hip muscles
  • Exercises in water which supports the bodies increasing weight
  • Advice and suggestions including positions for labour and birth, looking after your baby, pain relief, such as TENS
  • Equipment if necessary such as pelvic support belts. Supportive belts that take the strain off the sacroiliac joints can be very helpful in controlling the instability of the sacroiliac joints. Your chiropractor or other prenatal healthcare professional can advise on sizing and fit if these are appropriate as well as instruct you on how to use the belts correctly to maximum effect.
  • Advice and instructions are also given on proper posture’s while pregnant. i.e how to sit, stand sleep to take strain off the spine as well as considering  specific ways to perform routine activities, such as housework; how to sleep comfortably, lift and bend safely.

When to Get Help for Low back or Pelvic Joint Pain?

Getting diagnosed as early as possible can help keep pain to a minimum and avoid long-term discomfort. If you are pregnant and suffering from low back pain  or pelvic / sacroiliac pain and are based around Gorey, Enniscorthy, Wexford, Arklow, Wicklow or Carlow it may be time to be professionally evaluated. Why not call Gorey Family Chiropractic today to make an initial consultation appointment.

For your convenience all of our Chiropractic team are registered with VHI, Aviva and Laya Healthcare allowing clients claim reimbursement from a wide range of private healthcare Insurance providers.

Opening hours Mon 8-7, Tues 9-5, Wed 8-7, Thurs 9-5, Frid 8-7

Call Gorey Family Chiropractic Clinic  on 053 94 83338 or alternatively email info@chiropractor.ie

Apr 03

Shoulder Problems: A Pain in the neck

Posted on by

 

Shoulder Problems: A Pain in the neck

by Olivia O’ Leary D.C BSc Hons

Pain in the neckAn aching sholder may not signal a shoulder problem. And a sore neck may not indicate a neck problem.
When the chiropractors at Gorey Family Chiropractic were asked about neck and shoulder symptoms amongst clients on presentation to the clinic one thing quickly became clear. People may come in with shoulder pain when they really have a neck problem and similarly, neck pain can mask a shoulder problem.

SO WHERE DOES THE PAIN COME FROM?
“The way the body reports pain is somewhat unreliable,” explained Michael Veal D.C Clinic Director “Neck pain and shoulder pain so commonly overlap that it becomes difficult to distinguish for a patient where the pain is actually coming from.

 WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?

Because the neck and shoulder are intimately connected by multiple nerve pathways. When injury occurs, the brain can’t always trace pain pathways back to their source, and what we feel may not be what is really going on. “This is known as ‘referred pain”.

WHEN THE SHOULDER IS THE USUAL SUSPECT

083fd53206c2cd676c9b615f6ff074bf
Shoulder pain is most often caused by an injury to the rotator cuff, a group of tendons and muscles that stabilize the joint. The rotator cuff develops wear and tear with age, and can be easily injured which can cause shoulder tendonitis or even a partial tear of a shoulder tendon.

This may cause both shoulder pain and  contribute to development of neck pain.

YOU MAY HAVE A ROTATOR CUFF INJURY OR OTHER SHOULDER PROBLEM IF SHOULDER PAIN:
•    Develops in the shoulder itself or on the outside of your upper arm
•    Is dull and aching
•    Occurs when you reach overhead or behind your back, or when lifting
•    Radiates into the upper arm, but not past the elbow
•    Persists at night
•    Improves when you rest your arm

WHEN THE NECK IS THE LIKELY CULPRIT
images-1Inflammation of any of the 14 nerves or eight pairs of joints in the neck can cause neck pain. The joints — or vertebrae — serve as a “hinges” allowing movement (no wonder they wear out). In fact, 65 percent of 65-year-olds have arthritis in one or more neck joints.

This causes stiffness and irritation to these joints and can be another factor in the development of a pinched nerve. Fortunately chiropractic treatment and exercise has been extensively shown to  restore flexibility and reduce irritation in the neck which helps reduce neck pain and can help stabilise the condition.

Because pain in one area can so often be confused with another, a thorough examination must be done first by your chiropractor or other specialist healthcare provider which includes range of motion, strength testing and provocative orthopaedic tests to the neck and shoulder. Should these tests prove positive it may be necessary to x ray ( x ray facilities on site)  the neck to help rule out certain conditions or better evaluate others.

YOU MAY HAVE ARTHRITIS OR NERVE RELATED PAIN IF PAIN:

cervical_radiculopathy_
•    Develops in your shoulder blade, or close to or on the side of your neck
•    Is sharp, stabbing, burning or tingling
•    Radiates down past your elbow or even into your hand
•    Persists at rest
•    Occurs when you extend your arms or twist them inward
•    Is relieved when you support your neck

Luckily most neck and shoulder pain can recover with conservative care. Evidence based guidelines for the management of neck pain and shoulder pain commonly recommend conservative measures first like chiropractic care, exercises and rehabilitative exercises.

 5 WAYS TO RELIEVE SHOULDER PAIN

1.  Try to rest from activities that aggravate painshoulder strecth
2. Exercises to gently stretch and then ultimately strengthen have been shown to be of benefit.
3.  Ice  your shoulder, an ice pack should be applied for 10-15 mins wrapped in thin tea towel to prevent an ice burn.
4. If you are failing to recover from your shoulder pain or your shoulder pain is more severe our clinical team holds extensive experience in the treatment and management of shoulder pain and will guide your recovery or refer your case if treatment is deemed unsuitable for your problem.

5.  Anti inflammatory medications are sometimes beneficial in the first instance but their usage is not recommended to mask or avoid treating the cause of the underlying shoulder pain.

6.    If these measures fail to bring relief, you may need an MRI of your shoulder. If that shows a torn rotator cuff, then shoulder surgery can sometimes be necessary.

DIAGNOSED WITH A NECK PROBLEM CAUSING NECK PAIN

Should a physical examination by your chiropractor, which may include orthopaedic, neurological or x ray studies indicate a trapped or irritated nerve or arthritis in your neck, research and evidence based guidelines have shown chiropractic treatment to be  beneficial which may include spinal manipulation, soft tissue treatment techniques, muscular stretching as well as addressing causative factors such as poor ergonomics & posture.

5 WAYS TO SELF HELP NECK PAIN

  1. Remember good posture; a significant proportion of neck and shoulder pain develops from postural strain
  2. Stretching & strengthening exercises: neck stiffness and weakness leave the neck vulnerable to injury
  3. Ice &  heat ( ice in acute stages, heat when a problem is more chronic)
  4. Ergonomic modifications in your workplace may be necessary to address the causes of neck pain if occupational strain exists
  5. An orthopaedic pillow whilst sometimes a little difficult to get used, to maintains and supports the natural curve of the spine whilst sleeping which is especially important with a damaged neck.

Twitter-pic-1-150x150Whether you have chronic pain in your shoulder, your neck or both, don’t wait to see an expert.

“Having a chiropractor or other specialist evaluate your complaint will determine quickly where the main problem is and will get you started on the correct treatment,” says Dr. Veal.

GOREY FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC SUPPORTING YOUR RECOVERY AND MAINTAINING IT

If the source of your pain is difficult to pinpoint, our specialist Clinical team are trained and hold extensive experience in the diagnosis, treatment and management of neck pain and shoulder pain. With onsite x ray facilities in Gorey and quick referral available for MRI your problem can be thoroughly evaluated should it be deemed necessary.

For your convenience all of our Gorey Family  Chiropractic team are registered with VHI, Glo, Aviva and Laya Healthcare allowing clients claim reimbursement from a wide range of private healthcare Insurance providers. We also provide care under the GAA injury scheme.

Opening hours Mon 8-7, Tues 9-5, Wed 8-7, Thurs 9-5, Frid 8-7

Tel: 053 94 83338   or alternatively email info@chiropractor.ie    

Apr 26

Shoulder Problems: A Pain in the Neck?

Posted on by

Shoulder Problems: A Pain in the neck

by Olivia O’ Leary D.C BSc Hons

An aching shoulder may not signal a shoulder problem. And a sore neck may not indicate a neck problem.
When the chiropractors at Gorey Family Chiropractic were asked about neck and shoulder symptoms amongst clients on presentation to the clinic one thing quickly became clear. People may come in with shoulder pain when they really have a neck problem and similarly, neck pain can mask a shoulder problem.

SO WHERE DOES THE PAIN COME FROM?
“The way the body reports pain is somewhat unreliable,” explained Michael Veal D.C Clinic Director “Neck pain and shoulder pain so commonly overlap that it becomes difficult to distinguish for a patient where the pain is actually coming from.

 WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?

Because the neck and shoulder are intimately connected by multiple nerve pathways. When injury occurs, the brain can’t always trace pain pathways back to their source, and what we feel may not be what is really going on. “This is known as ‘referred pain”.

WHEN THE SHOULDER IS THE USUAL SUSPECT

083fd53206c2cd676c9b615f6ff074bf
Shoulder pain is most often caused by an injury to the rotator cuff, a group of tendons and muscles that stabilize the joint. The rotator cuff develops wear and tear with age, and can be easily injured which can cause shoulder tendonitis or even a partial tear of a shoulder tendon.

This may cause both shoulder pain and  contribute to development of neck pain.

 

 

YOU MAY HAVE A ROTATOR CUFF INJURY OR OTHER SHOULDER PROBLEM IF SHOULDER PAIN:
•    Develops in the shoulder itself or on the outside of your upper arm
•    Is dull and aching
•    Occurs when you reach overhead or behind your back, or when lifting
•    Radiates into the upper arm, but not past the elbow
•    Persists at night
•    Improves when you rest your arm

 

WHEN THE NECK IS THE LIKELY CULPRIT
images-1Inflammation of any of the 14 nerves or eight pairs of joints in the neck can cause neck pain. The joints — or vertebrae — serve as a “hinges” allowing movement (no wonder they wear out). In fact, 65 percent of 65-year-olds have arthritis in one or more neck joints.

This causes stiffness and irritation to these joints and can be another factor in the development of a pinched nerve. Fortunately chiropractic treatment and exercise has been extensively shown to  restore flexibility and reduce irritation in the neck which helps reduce neck pain and can help stabilise the condition.

Because pain in one area can so often be confused with another, a thorough examination must be done first by your chiropractor or other specialist healthcare provider which includes range of motion, strength testing and provocative orthopaedic tests to the neck and shoulder. Should these tests prove positive it may be necessary to x ray ( x ray facilities on site)  the neck to help rule out certain conditions or better evaluate others.

YOU MAY HAVE ARTHRITIS OR NERVE RELATED PAIN IF PAIN:

cervical_radiculopathy_
•    Develops in your shoulder blade, or close to or on the side of your neck
•    Is sharp, stabbing, burning or tingling
•    Radiates down past your elbow or even into your hand
•    Persists at rest
•    Occurs when you extend your arms or twist them inward
•    Is relieved when you support your neck

Luckily most neck and shoulder pain can recover with conservative care. Evidence based guidelines for the management of neck pain and shoulder pain commonly recommend conservative measures first like chiropractic care, exercises and rehabilitative exercises.

 5 WAYS TO RELIEVE SHOULDER PAIN

1.  Try to rest from activities that aggravate painshoulder strecth
2. Exercises to gently stretch and then ultimately strengthen have been shown to be of benefit.
3.  Ice  your shoulder, an ice pack should be applied for 10-15 mins wrapped in thin tea towel to prevent an ice burn.
4. If you are failing to recover from your shoulder pain or your shoulder pain is more severe our clinical team holds extensive experience in the treatment and management of shoulder pain and will guide your recovery or refer your case if treatment is deemed unsuitable for your problem.

5.  Anti inflammatory medications are sometimes beneficial in the first instance but their usage is not recommended to mask or avoid treating the cause of the underlying shoulder pain.

6.    If these measures fail to bring relief, you may need an MRI of your shoulder. If that shows a torn rotator cuff, then shoulder surgery can sometimes be necessary.

DIAGNOSED WITH A NECK PROBLEM CAUSING NECK PAIN

Should a physical examination by your chiropractor, which may include orthopaedic, neurological or x ray studies indicate a trapped or irritated nerve or arthritis in your neck, research and evidence based guidelines have shown chiropractic treatment to be  beneficial which may include spinal manipulation, soft tissue treatment techniques, muscular stretching as well as addressing causative factors such as poor ergonomics & posture.

5 WAYS TO SELF HELP NECK PAIN

  1. Remember good posture; a significant proportion of neck and shoulder pain develops from postural strain
  2. Stretching & strengthening exercises: neck stiffness and weakness leave the neck vulnerable to injury
  3. Ice &  heat ( ice in acute stages, heat when a problem is more chronic)
  4. Ergonomic modifications in your workplace may be necessary to address the causes of neck pain if occupational strain exists
  5. An orthopaedic pillow whilst sometimes a little difficult to get used, to maintains and supports the natural curve of the spine whilst sleeping which is especially important with a damaged neck.

Twitter-pic-1-150x150Whether you have chronic pain in your shoulder, your neck or both, don’t wait to see an expert.

“Having a chiropractor or other specialist evaluate your complaint will determine quickly where the main problem is and will get you started on the correct treatment,” says Dr. Veal.

GOREY FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC SUPPORTING YOUR RECOVERY AND MAINTAINING IT

If the source of your pain is difficult to pinpoint, our specialist Clinical team are trained and hold extensive experience in the diagnosis, treatment and management of neck pain and shoulder pain. With onsite x ray facilities in Gorey and quick referral available for MRI your problem can be thoroughly evaluated should it be deemed necessary.

For your convenience all of our Gorey Family  Chiropractic team are registered with VHI, Glo, Aviva and Laya Healthcare allowing clients claim reimbursement from a wide range of private healthcare Insurance providers. We also provide care under the GAA injury scheme.

Opening hours Mon 8-7, Tues 9-5, Wed 8-7, Thurs 9-5, Frid 8-7

Tel: 053 94 83338   or alternatively email info@chiropractor.ie