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.

 

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.

 

Neck Stretches

Neck pain can often be treated through safe, minimally invasive means. At the Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, our treatments for cervical misalignments and the headaches and shoulder pain they cause include spinal adjustments, spinal decompression, and ultrasound therapy. But therapeutic exercise will likely be crucial to a patient’s recovery and continued well-being.

We don’t recommend that injured patients attempt to create their own workout routines, but it can be helpful for them to know what to expect from a visit to our office. Neck pain is often due to strain in the neck’s soft tissues as a result of an injury or overuse. We try to restore the neck’s flexibility through strengthening exercises and stretches. Some examples are slowly bending the neck forward or backward, rotating the head ninety degrees each way, and pressing the ear against the shoulder. The patient would need to hold the pose for a few seconds, with the length of time and the number of stretches gradually increasing.

Neck stretches should be a part of ordinary warm-up and cool-down routines. While it remains unclear whether stronger neck muscles can guard against concussions, they do help to take weight off the cervical spine and combat degenerative disease. Of course, there are other potential causes of neck pain, which is another reason why it is important for people to come in for a diagnosis as early as possible.

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.

 

Drug-Free Approach to Pain Management

As the opioid epidemic continues to rise, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. of Carolina Chiropractic Center continues to offer a drug-free approach to pain management. Depending on your condition, we offer alternative therapies that include physical therapy, hand manipulation, and spinal decompression. Those who participate in these methods are less likely to reach for a pill bottle to manage pain. If your body is in discomfort, schedule a consultation to discuss your treatment options.

If you experience tight muscles, joint or back pain, and find yourself with a limited range of motion, we can work with you to create individualized exercises, stretches, and body alignment positions to strengthen these areas. Pain can interfere with any aspect of life, including making you less active and interfering with your quality of sleep. Dr. James Huggins, Jr. wants patients to perform at their highest peak and feel their absolute best. If you feel anything but the sort, we can help you improve your overall wellness.

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. 

Strained Back Muscles

Back pain is not always caused by a problem in the spinal column. Often, it is the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine which fray, resulting in a dull, throbbing ache. The good news is that if there hasn’t been a complete tear, the muscles are usually able to heal themselves. At the Carolina Chiro Center in Florence, we’ll help the patient control their pain in a safe manner and remain in a condition that optimizes the body’s self-healing.

There are several major muscle groups supporting the lumbar region of the spine. They make up the complicated connections between the lower back and the hips, as well as the abdomen, so pain may be felt in the pelvic region. However, pain that shoots along the lower legs is likelier to be caused by a pinched nerve, as is pain that persists during rest. The word “strain” technically refers to injuries to muscles and tendons while “sprain” refers to injuries to ligaments, but in either case, the patient will likely experience limited range of motion and inflammation.

Although spinal adjustments are an important part of maintenance, they may not be appropriate after a strain or sprain has occurred. However, we offer ultrasound therapy to prevent the formation of scar tissue, which could permanently limit the muscle’s motion. We also offer instructions on therapeutic exercise that will restore the back’s flexibility, prevent the muscles from losing their strength, and make injuries less likely in the future.

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.

Causes of Upper Back Pain

People suffering from upper back pain need look no further than the Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence. Although neck and lower back pain are more common, pain in the thoracic portion of the spine is an issue which deserves attention and we want our patients to understand what factors into it.

There are some causes of pain in the upper back which are rare but should be tested for. These include infections or bony growths in the vertebrae putting pressure on the spinal cord. The thoracic vertebrae, which the ribs are attached to, do not have as much freedom of movement as other articulated vertebrae, but it is still possible for their discs to wear down or a fracture to develop in people with osteoporosis. However, most upper back pain is caused by muscle fatigue.

If people maintain bad posture, their back muscles will be strained and may tear. Slouching while seated, carrying heavy objects off-center or too high over the head, or even lack of a properly fitted bra may put excessive weight on the upper back muscles. For short-term relief, we provide spinal adjustment to ensure the muscles aren’t being further strained by misaligned parts of the spinal column. In the long-term, strengthening the torso muscles will allow them to take on more weight from the back muscles. Office workers should also remember to sit straight up with their feet on the floor and to keep their screens at eye-level.

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.

 

Neck Stiffness

Do you suffer from neck stiffness? You don’t have to anymore! At the Carolina Chiropractic Clinic, we offer holistic, non-invasive treatments for musculoskeletal problems, but we want our patients to understand how to avoid stiffness, as well.

When a patient comes in complaining of a stiff neck, we’ll run imaging tests and conduct an examination to determine the cause. Sometimes, the problem may be an infection such as meningitis. However, the vast majority of the time, it is strain and pressure on the levator scapulae muscles. These muscles are what link the neck vertebrae to the shoulders. They get worn down through frequent usage, such as in swimmers, who turn their heads with each stroke. They can also be strained through unhealthy usages, such as when people rest their chins on their palms, which pushes on the neck.

It is also possible for the levator scapulae muscles to be pinched by misalignments in the neck vertebrae. Through spinal adjustments, electric muscle stimulation, and cold laser therapy, we can manage discomfort while helping the body to heal itself. We can also recommend therapeutic exercises and lifestyle changes that will prevent a relapse.

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.

 

Treatment for Joint Pain

Joints form the connections between bones. They provide support and help you move. Unfortunately, due to all of the strenuous activities we humans endure on a daily basis, our joints can sometimes become strained and inflamed. At Carolina Chiropractic Center, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. utilizes therapeutic exercise to strengthen the muscles around the problematic joint, stabilize the joint, and improve your range of motion. 

Many different conditions can lead to painful joints, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, gout, strains, sprains, and other injuries. In fact, knee pain is typically the most common complaint from patients in addition to shoulder and hip pain. However, joint pain can affect any part of your body, from your ankles and feet to your shoulders and hands. Dr. James Huggins at Carolina Chiropractic Center can develop an individualized treatment plan to reduce your joint pain and stiffness, as well as help manipulate damaged joints to make them more mobile – and therefore help you become more active.

If you are suffering from joint 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. 

Therapeutic Exercise Benefits

Therapeutic exercise is defined as a bodily movement prescribed to correct impairment, improve musculoskeletal function, or maintain a state of well-being. It may vary from a highly selected activities restricted to specific muscles or parts of the body, to general and vigorous activities that can return a recuperating patient back to the peak of prime health. At Carolina Chiropractic Center, our doctor can tailor an individualized therapeutic exercise treatment plan that will meet your needs.

Whether you suffer from back pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, or more, we have exercises to assist your healing process. Low back extension, extended shoulder rotation and spinal rotation name a few. Therapeutic exercise aimed at achieving and maintaining physical fitness fall into the following major categories: endurance training, resistance training, and flexibility training. In general, no matter what exercise may be needed, the overall goal of rehabilitation is to achieve whenever possible an optimal level of physical fitness by the end of the program.

If you think you may benefit from therapeutic exercise, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, be sure to contact Carolina Chiropractic Center for an appointment. Our Florence, SC office can be reached by phone at (843) 665-9192 or through our website, www.carolinachirocenter.com.