What is Fibromyalgia?

Many people inaccurately think of chiropractic as only treatment for the back. In fact, at the Carolina Chiropractic center in Florence, we are concerned with the entire body and overall wellness of our patients. One of the best examples of a disease which requires a whole-body approach is fibromyalgia. This condition has no known cure but is treated with the non-invasive, non-addictive therapies in our office.

Fibromyalgia is believed to be a dysfunction in how the brain processes impulses from the rest of the body. Most of the people who develop it are middle-aged women who have recently experienced enormous stress, physical trauma, or infection, but an exact cause is hard to pin down. People with fibromyalgia describe themselves as feeling constant aches throughout their bodies, as well as fatigue. They also frequently have psychological issues such as anxiety and depression and conditions that are linked to psychological stress, such as irritable bowel syndrome. One of fibromyalgia’s defining features is how afflicted people have difficulty remembering things or focusing.

Getting pain under control can only help with fibromyalgia’s psychological symptoms. The electric muscle stimulation we offer helps the body to release endorphins, which are its natural pain relievers. Spinal adjustments and other therapies to relieve pressure on the nerves can also improve the body’s internal communication system.

Dr. James Huggins operates the Carolina Chiropractic Center at 1627 Suite C, South Irby, Florence, South Carolina, 29505. To set up an appointment, call 843-665-9192 or visit Carolina Chiro Center and fill out a contact form.

 

National Arthritis Month

It’s impossible to overstate how important understanding of arthritis is to chiropractic. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States and one of the most common causes of pain. Therefore, this National Arthritis Month we want to help our patients understand it better and how our non-invasive therapies can help.

“Arthritis” actually refers to a number of conditions which cause joint swelling. The two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the result of wear and tear. It affects the spinal column when the cartilage in between the facet joints, which link vertebrae together, erodes. Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system disorder in which the body attacks its own tissues. However, there are other forms of arthritis which mainly affect the spine, including ankylosing spondylitis, which is usually felt near the pelvis, and spinal stenosis, which can cause the spinal canal to narrow and compress the spinal cord.

Genetics, lifestyle, and nutrition all play a role in the development of arthritis. Because other nerves in the body branch off from the spinal cord, joint dysfunction in the spinal column can affect the whole body. Proper treatment of arthritis requires realignment of the spinal bones and reduction of inflammation. We provide this through adjustments, electric muscle stimulation, and cold laser therapy, along with counseling on preventive measures.

Dr. James Huggins operates the Carolina Chiropractic Center at 1627 Suite C, South Irby, Florence, South Carolina, 29505. To set up an appointment, call 843-665-9192 or visit Carolina Chiro Center and fill out a contact form.

 

When to Use Ice vs. Heat

Some of us are more accident prone than others but when we hurt ourselves, our natural reaction is to apply ice or heat to alleviate the pain. Using the appropriate temperature while recovering from injury will mean all the difference in making it better, or worse. Dr. James Huggins, Jr. of Carolina Chiropractic Center is here to inform patients on when to use cryotherapy (cold therapy) or thermotherapy (heat).  

Applying ice after injury calms down damaged tissues that are inflamed and swollen. Therefore, ice should be used if an injury occurs around a joint or a tendon. This is because it reduces blood flow to a particular area, which can significantly reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain. Be careful as to apply ice to muscle pain as this can increase inflammation. Heat therapy should be used for muscle tension, chronic pain, and stress. If hot or cold therapy doesn’t help the injury you’ve sustained, you’ll need to discuss treatment options with Dr. James Huggins, Jr.

If you have questions or concerns about chiropractic treatment or pain management, 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.