Piriformis Syndrome

There are several potential causes of sciatica, including a herniated disc, a narrow spinal canal, and a misplaced vertebra. But if you are frequently experiencing shooting pain or numbness down one leg when you climb stairs or sit for a long period, you may have piriformis syndrome. This muscular disorder can result from acute injuries and overuse, but at the Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, South Carolina, we’ll identify its cause and help you find safe pain relief.

The sciatic nerve branches off from the spinal cord in the lumbar region of the spine and travels down the leg. On the way, it passes around, through, or on either side of deep muscle in either side of the pelvis named the piriformis. The piriformis muscle is shaped like a triangle and connects the sacrum, the part of the spine between the hip bones, to the top of the femur. It helps to stabilize the hip and rotates the leg away from the body. A swollen piriformis can compress the sciatic nerve, triggering sciatica symptoms.

People can develop Piriformis Syndrome by falling on their hips or by doing intense lower body work that jostles their hips a lot, such as if they run up stairs or rocky hills. Because the symptoms it causes are similar to those of other musculoskeletal disorders, Piriformis Syndrome is diagnosed through imaging and process of elimination. The body can usually recover from piriformis inflammation, so we focus on relieving the patient’s pain through noninvasive, non-addictive treatments such as manual adjustments, therapeutic ultrasounds, and electric muscle stimulation. Patients should gradually return to activity but avoid high-impact exercises and running on hard surfaces.

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.

 

Knee Pain

Have you taken a bump to your knee that’s still sore days later? Don’t wait any longer to get it checked out. At the Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, we frequently help people whose musculoskeletal systems have been disrupted by sports injuries and degenerative conditions. If your knee is out of alignment, you may find yourself compensating by throwing off the balance of your hips and lower back, leading to more pain. Our office will help you treat the pain and prevent it from returning.

Knee pain is formally called “patellofemoral syndrome.” The patella, or kneecap, is the largest of the body’s sesamoid bones. What this means is that the kneecap does not directly connect to other bones; it is anchored into a groove in the femur by tendons and ligaments and rests over a bed of cartilage. If there is something wrong with the ligaments, the kneecap may move out of place and rub against the cartilage, removing the leg bones’ cushioning and triggering inflammation. Soreness and stiffness will persist as long as the kneecap is displaced.

An adjustment can put the kneecap back in place and noninvasive therapies, such as electric muscle stimulation and ultrasound, can reduce swelling in the surrounding soft tissues. Our chiropractic office is dedicated to providing musculoskeletal solutions that are cost-effective and low risk. Strengthening exercises will allow the knee tendons to hold the patella more firmly in place in the future, and better posture and hydration will make them less likely to fray.

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.

 

Facet Joint Disorders

Do you suffer from pain that seems to radiate out of your backbone? Is it worse when you lean backwards, but mostly random? You may be suffering from a facet joint disorder. This kind of back pain often baffles patients, but at the Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, we’ll help you to understand its cause, resolve it, and prevent it from returning.

The term “facet joint” refers to the connections between the bony protrusions from the posterior sides of the vertebrae. These joints allow the vertebrae a limited degree of mobility, but also prevent them from sliding too far past each other or rotating too much. When the supportive tissue of the joint is torn, the joint may slide out of place, resulting in a subluxation. The pressure of the displaced vertebra can trigger muscle spasms and irritate the nearby nerves, resulting in radiating pain. Displaced bones can also erode the cartilage that cushions the joints, resulting in stiffness and the growth of bony spurs.

Because pain from a displaced facet joint radiates, it may be hard to identify the source of the problem. Our imaging tests and manual examinations will help us to pinpoint where a facet has broken and distinguish facet joint disorders from problems in the spinal discs or nearby organs. An adjustment can help to relieve pressure on nerves and other soft tissues, as can the application of heat. In the long-term, strengthening the muscles attached to the spine through therapeutic exercise will make vertebrae less likely to move out of place, and better posture will cause less cartilage erosion.

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.

 

National Chiropractic Health Month

October marks National Chiropractic Health Month, when chiropractors make particular effort to educate the public about the importance of maintaining musculoskeletal health. Back pain is extremely common, being one of the most frequent medical complaints for people of all ages. But chiropractic is about more than soothing tightness and inflammation in the back muscles. It’s also about ensuring that dislocated joints and swollen tissues won’t disrupt other bodily systems by compressing nerves. Let’s take a look at some basic aspects of joint health and how we at the Carolina Chiopractic Center in Florence can help to keep the body in optimal condition.

Joints are attached to each other by soft tissues called ligaments. Muscles are secured to joints by tendons, which are strong fibers, but are prone to fraying and heal slowly from injuries due to their limited blood supply. The bones that make up a joint are cushioned and lubricated by a substance called articular cartilage, which can be worn down with time or by bone spurs. Some joints are also cushioned by structures called bursae that produce a lubricating fluid called synovia.

Our chiropractic office offers many treatments for reducing inflammation and realigning joints. Manual adjustments correct backbones and shoulder bones that have been displaced by trauma or inflammation of the bursae or muscles. Soft tissue treatments such as electric muscle stimulation, low level laser therapy, and Diapulse combat inflammation directly. Stem cell therapy generates the growth of new connective and cushioning tissue. Furthermore, our knowledge of the musculoskeletal system allows us to not only relieve symptoms, but prevent their return by advising on strength-training and flexibility exercises, nutrition, and lifestyle improvements. With stronger muscles, healthier food, and better posture, you can stop subjecting your joints to stress and remain vibrant throughout life.

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.

 

Frozen Shoulder

Carolina Chiropractic Center treats numerous musculoskeletal problems, such as “frozen shoulder.” Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is a condition that involves stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. This happens when the tissue around the shoulder joint loses its synovial fluid and causes limited mobility. If you have significant shoulder pain, we recommend that you come in for a visit so that the root of the problem can be diagnosed and we can get you on a treatment plan.

Symptoms of frozen shoulder:

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  Stiffness

  
  


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  Very limited mobility

  
  


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  Dull or achy pain

  
  


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  Difficulty doing daily activities

  
  


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  Increase in these symptoms over time

  
  

Women are more susceptible to this condition than men, and especially affects people who have had a stroke or mastectomy. We at Carolina Chiropractic Center are committed to helping our patients reach the full extent of their mobility and live pain-free lives. We treat frozen shoulder with a variety of exercises that help with range-of-motion, joint manipulation, and chiropractic adjustments.

Carolina Chiropractic Center is located at 1627 S Irby Suite C, in Florence, SC 29505. For more information on treatment for frozen shoulder, or to schedule an appointment, visit carolinachirocenter.com or call 843-665-9192.

 

Chiropractic Care for Personal Injury

When bodily harm occurs from being involved in any type of accident, specifically outside of your workplace, it is considered personal injury. We at Carolina Chiropractic Center recommend coming in for a visit so that we can assess the damage and get you on the road to recovery. Whether it be a single or series of adjustments, your chiropractor is one of the best options for uncovering underlying issues from your accident.

Examples of personal injuries:

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  Auto accidents

  
  


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  Motorcycle accidents

  
  


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  Bicycle accidents

  
  


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  A slip, trip, or fall

  
  

While a doctor treats symptoms with prescriptions, a chiropractor works to correct the problem with focused stretching of the affected muscles and careful adjustments. We recommend against letting your injury go untreated since this can cause more problems down the line, and affect your quality of life even more than the accident already has. If you find that everyday tasks cannot be done without significant pain, it may be time to schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins Jr.

Carolina Chiropractic Center is located at 1627 S Irby Suite C, in Florence, SC 29505. For more information on chiropractic adjustments or to schedule an appointment, visit carolinachirocenter.com or call 843-665-9192.

 

Cupping Therapy

The cupping technique has actually been around for quite a while. However, its popularity skyrocketed in 2016 when Michael Phelps showed off five gold medals and the circular, purple welts on his body. Carolina Chiropractic Center is excited to offer cupping therapy to patients in combination with chiropractic care.

There are three popular methods of cupping:

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  Dry cupping, which involves warming the cup and creating suction against the skin as it gradually cools down.

  
  

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  Air cupping, which involves a pump that pulls oxygen out of a plastic or silicone cup to create suction against the skin.

  
  

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  Massage cupping is used after the cups have been suctioned to the skin for some time. Then they are moved in a gliding motion across the skin, creating a form of massage.

  
  

Like acupuncture or normal massages, cupping is a natural way to reduce pain. The method draws toxins in the body to the surface, breaking up obstructions and allowing for better blood flow. However, cupping only offers temporary relief in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments. While chiropractic care works to correct your musculoskeletal problem, cupping allows relief from the pain.

Carolina Chiropractic Center is located at 1627 S Irby Suite C, in Florence, SC 29505. For more information on cupping therapy or to schedule an appointment, visit carolinachirocenter.com or call 843-665-9192.