What is Spondylolisthesis?

A back injury presents a threat to the body’s nervous system. Some injuries are painful, but others may go undetected or cause nerve compression or muscle tightness without their cause being readily apparent. This week on our blog, we at the Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence want to discuss spondylolisthesis, the condition in which one vertebra slips over another. It is a common injury that may be hard to identify without an x-ray.

Degenerative Spondylolisthesis is often related to Degenerative Disc Disease. As the spongy discs between vertebral bodies become less elastic with age, they are less able to prevent slippages in the vertebrae. This disorder is often found in women over the age of sixty. However, a vertebra can also slip forward due to a fracture in the facet joint that connects it to the rest of the spinal column. This is the leading cause of back pain among teenagers and often occurs in the upper lumbar region. Slipped lumbar vertebra can cause pain in muscles spanning from the lower back to the gluteal region and may compress a sciatic nerve, causing shooting pain down the leg.

We employ nonsurgical, minimally invasive techniques for guiding slipped vertebrae back into place. We will then aim to strengthen the patient’s core muscles to prevent relapses. Therapeutic exercise will increase flexibility and relieve stress from the spinal column. We can also provide pain-relieving therapies such as ultrasound and electric muscle stimulation for muscle tightness and inflammation.

Dr. James Huggins runs 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.

 

Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body. It runs throughout your whole torso and into your legs. When a patient is suffering from Sciatica, they’re really experiencing sciatic pain. That’s why sciatica is more of a symptom than an actual diagnosis. It’s the result of a nerve being aggravated or pinched in some way. Dr. James Huggins Jr. of Carolina Chiropractic Center, located in Florence, SC, provides sciatica treatment for patients.

 

Common symptoms of sciatic pain are lower back pain, problems controlling the lower extremities, tingling and loss of sensation in the legs and feet, and a burning sensation running down through the back and legs. It is often caused by spinal misalignment, spinal stenosis, and bulging or herniated discs.

 

Diagnosing sciatica can be difficult. The pain comes and goes sporadically, making it hard to treat. Locating the cause of the pain is the only way to relieve the symptoms. Your Florence chiropractor will perform a spinal evaluation. He can pinpoint where exactly the problem is.

 

Whether it's caused by a disc injury or a spinal problem, a chiropractic adjustment is the recommended treatment. Dr. Huggins Jr. restores your disc alignment and spinal function. Manual therapy is another treatment route, relieving muscles that are pinching the nerves.

 

Schedule an appointment at Carolina Chiropractic Center if your suffering from sciatic pain. If other treatments aren’t working, it’s time to visit our Florence, SC, office. To schedule your appointment with Dr. James Huggins Jr., visit our website or call 843-665-9192.

Chiropractic Treatment for Allergies

As the old saying goes, “spring showers bring May flowers.” What they didn’t add in is that these flowers and budding plant life bring a host of allergens. Springtime allergies can make everyday life miserable. Dr. James Huggins Jr. of Carolina Chiropractic Care, located in Florence, offers chiropractic treatment for allergies. To learn more, contact our office today.

 

Your nervous system and immune system are directly connected. Meaning when your nervous system is out of sync, so is your immune system. During allergy season, your immune system goes into overdrive due to the increased amount of allergens. Aligning your spine with regular adjustments improves its functioning levels.

 

Misalignment in the spine, especially in the neck area, interferes with your body’s main mode of communication. Your Florence chiropractor provides spinal adjustment and manipulations. This restores the blocked pathways. Not only is it good for your joints and soft tissues, but for your immune system as well.

 

Stress also has a central role in your hypersensitivity to allergens. Constant or chronic stress weakens your adrenal glands. Your body will then have a harder time controlling allergic reactions. Again, spinal adjustments reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, in your body by realigning the spine. The result is improved communication between your adrenal glands and nervous system.

 

Dr. Huggins Jr. also recommends changing up your dietary and exercise routine. Certain environmental factors and foods can unknowingly trigger your allergies. Improving your respiratory system through exercise strengthens your total body connection. Your respiratory system is the main target of allergens, containing your nose, throat, and lungs.

 

Interested in learning more about holistic treatment for allergies? Contact Carolina Chiropractic Care. Our office is in Florence, SC. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins Jr., visit our website or call 843-665-9192.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Dr. James Huggins Jr., of Carolina Chiropractic Center, located in Florence, SC., offers Electrical Muscle Stimulation to his patients. Electrical Muscle Stimulation also called EMS or E-Stim, is a technique for helping the body heal. This is done by sending a small electrical current into the injured soft tissue or muscle. This reduces swelling and releases locked up trigger points. It also allows the body to release endorphins or natural pain relievers.

 

At the procedure, electrodes will be placed upon the affected areas. Common placement is on the back of the neck, the upper or lower back, shoulder, knee, ankle, or wrist. These electrodes allow low-level electrical currents to travel from EMS machines into your body. The electrical current mimics the pulses naturally found within your body. This engages the central nervous system, causing muscle contractions. Eventually, the contractions will tire out the muscles. Any spasms will be gone, and endorphins will be released.

 

The procedure itself is not painful. Most patients report the sensation as tingling yet soothing. It doesn’t cause burning, stinging, or stabbing pain. Patients who experience inflammation, muscle spasms, edema, and acute and chronic pain have found success with EMS therapy. It’s also been found to relieve headaches and stress, along with improving range of motion in the joints.

 

If you are experiencing pain or an injury that just doesn't seem to heal, contact Carolina Chiropractic Center today, located in Florence, SC. Dr. James Huggins Jr. is available for appointment, schedule online through our website or call 843-665-9192.