Degenerative Disc Disease

Also known as DDD, degenerative disc disease is not really a disease but a term used to describe the normal changes in your spinal discs as you age. As we age, our spinal discs break down, or degenerate, which may result in degenerative disc disease in some people. DDD is typically diagnosed with a medical history and a physical exam, so if you are experiencing any aches and pains out of the ordinary, visit Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center, today.

Spinal discs are soft, compressible discs that separate the vertebrae that make up the spine. The discs act as shock absorbers for the spine, allowing it to flex, bend, and twist. Symptoms of DDD are most commonly concentrated in the low back or neck, depending on where the degenerated discs are. Where the pain occurs depends on the location of the affected disc. Common symptoms include pain that ranges from nagging to severe and disabling and periods of severe pain that come and go, lasting from a few days to a few months. Treatments that Dr. James Huggins, Jr. may recommend include physical therapy and exercises for strengthening and stretching the back.

If this condition sounds all too familiar, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Self-Care for Back and Neck Pain

 

Almost everybody who experiences tight shoulders and neck accompanied with tension headaches knows how unpleasant the pain can be. Here at Carolina Chiropractic Center, we offer a variety of treatments to treat your back and neck pain. However, when you can’t make it to the office, here are some self-care tips to keep your discomfort under control. 

1. Take it easy – contrary to popular belief, studies on acute back pain actually show that a few days of restricting your activity, and taking the appropriate over-the-counter medication, is all that many people need to allow the strained muscles to relax and unbind.

2. Ice, then heat – Ice and heat can alleviate local pain that comes from muscle and ligament strain. Ice slows swelling and inflammation and using heat afterwards increases blood flow to the deep tissues and relaxes muscle spasms. 

3. Massage -- if you have a willing companion, gentle massage may provide some relief by stretching tight muscles and ligaments.

If you are suffering from back and neck pain, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Almost everybody who experiences tight shoulders and neck accompanied with tension headaches knows how unpleasant the pain can be. Here at Carolina Chiropractic Center, we offer a variety of treatments to treat your back and neck pain. However, when you can’t make it to the office, here are some self-care tips to keep your discomfort under control. 

• Take it easy – contrary to popular belief, studies on acute back pain actually show that a few days of restricting your activity, and taking the appropriate over-the-counter medication, is all that many people need to allow the strained muscles to relax and unwind.

• Ice, then heat – Ice and heat can alleviate local pain that comes from muscle and ligament strain. Ice slows swelling and inflammation and using heat afterward increases blood flow to the deep tissues and relaxes muscle spasms. 

• Massage -- if you have a willing companion, gentle massage may provide some relief by stretching tight muscles and ligaments.

If you are suffering from back and neck pain, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

 

Obtain Relief from Knee Pain

Knee pain is incredibly common and can be caused by injuries, mechanical problems, types of arthritis and many other conditions. Fortunately, whatever the cause, at Carolina Chiropractic Center our staff offers countless methods of treatment to provide you with relief. The first step on the road to treatment is to diagnose what’s causing your knee pain. Dr. James Huggins, Jr. does this by completing a thorough exam.

Symptoms vary depending on your specific knee injury, but things to look out for are a pain, often when bending or straightening the knee, swelling, difficulty bearing weight on the knee, and limited range of knee motion. Treatment for knee pain depends on the cause, which only Dr. James Huggins, Jr. can decipher, but until you can make it into our office for a visit, we suggest resting your knee, icing it and elevating it.

If you are experiencing knee pain, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Difference Between Sprains and Fractures

You can distinguish the difference between a sprain and a fracture depending on the physical pain that you feel. A sprain refers to stretched or torn tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels around a joint and can be caused by an accident, fall, or blow. A fracture, on the other hand, is a break or crack in a bone that can be caused by the same types of injuries, but instead, you might hear a snapping sound as the bone breaks. Here at Carolina Chiropractic Center, no matter what type of injury you have, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. is here to treat it.

Sprains are defined by the kind of tissue –bone, ligament, or tendon – that’s damaged. Meanwhile, a fracture describes a break in one or more of the bones. Injuries are the most common causes of foot and ankle sprains and fractures. Many fractures and sprains occur during sports, but with the winter months ahead of us, snowfall can increase chances of falling, leading to injury. Warming up prior to physical activity can prevent ankle sprains and fractures and so can wearing proper shoes.

If you’ve recently suffered an injury, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our office, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Chiropractic and Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is an ongoing pain that persists beyond an expected time frame and it doesn’t respond to the typical pain management techniques. Chiropractic care may be a treatment option for you if you have chronic pain. Here at Carolina Chiropractic Center, we utilize a variety of non-surgical treatments, such as spinal manipulation, to address chronic pain symptoms, such as inflammation and muscle tension.

There are three basic components to the perception of pain: the sensory effect, which involves the electrochemical perception of pain by the brain; the emotional effect, which is our immediate response to pain; and the sensory-emotional effects of chronic pain. At Carolina Chiropractic Center, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. will conduct a physical exam and additionally run some tests to diagnose your type of pain. Once you’re diagnosed with a pain condition, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. will develop a treatment plan. Your treatment plan may include manual therapies and therapeutic exercises in addition to spinal manipulation.

If you are suffering from chronic pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192.