Spinal Stenosis

If you understand the principles of chiropractic, it will come as no surprise to you that at the Carolina Chiropractic Center, the narrowing of patients’ spinal channels is one of our top concerns. Scientifically, compression of the spinal cord is called spinal stenosis, and it is a cause of many of the conditions we provide treatments for.

Spinal stenosis is usually caused by bony spurs growing in the spaces through which the spinal nerves and cord travel. This most commonly occurs in the lower (lumbar) region, in which case the patient may feel leg pain, numbness, or tingling. It can also occur in the neck (cervical) region and cause weakness and tingling in the hands.

The growth of bone spurs is a slow process usually associated with arthritis. Chiropractic therapies are usually aimed at relieving pressure on the spinal column through methods such as manipulations and use of decompression machines. However, other conditions, such as a herniated disc, can also cause similar symptoms to spinal stenosis induced by bone spurs, so Dr. Huggins will need to do diagnostics before determining the best course of action.

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 CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Spondylosis

Spondylosis, also known as spinal osteoarthritis is a common condition that develops with age. Patients typically begin to notice symptoms around the ages of 20-50 years, and more than 80% of individuals older than 40 years have X-ray evidence of the condition. Spondylosis is treatable, usually with non-invasive methods, but a proper diagnosis will need to be made by Dr. James Huggins Jr. of Carolina Chiropractic Center before going any further.

In some people, spondylosis causes back pain and neck pain due to pinched nerves. This nerve compression may be caused by bulging discs and/or bone spurs on the facet joints. Symptoms of spondylosis include localized pain in the back, neck, or lumbar spine. If you experience a tingling sensation that radiates in the shoulder or legs, it is recommended that you visit us for a consultation. During your physical examination, Dr. Huggins will examine the shape of the spine, and search for tender spots, muscle tightness, as well as inflammation and signs of weakness.

If you have questions or concerns about spondylosis, 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. 

Importance of Stretching

Do you consider yourself flexible? If not, you may be able to increase your flexibility by stretching on a daily basis. Stretching is an excellent way to improve your range of motion and keep your muscles in a healthy state. Whether you decide to stretch before exercise, or afterward, Dr. James Huggins Jr. of Carolina Chiropractic Center wants to explain the importance of stretching every day.

Regular stretching is just as important as daily exercise. This is because without flexibility and a solid range of motion in our joints our muscles will shorten and become tight. Even stretching for a short amount of time can calm the mind, and give your body a chance to recharge. Adding stretching to your daily routine also provides a flexibility that decreases the risk of day-to-day injury. An added benefit of stretching on a daily basis is that it assists in correct posture by lengthening tight muscles that pull areas of the body away from their intended position.

If you have questions or concerns about chiropractic care, 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. 

Your First Chiropractic Visit

Dr. James Huggins, Jr. and the staff at Carolina Chiropractic Center have seen many first-time chiropractic patients.  New patients often arrive frustrated, having tried other treatment methods and not found relief from their pain or discomfort.  What surprises most new patients is that chiropractic does not incorporate drugs as part of treatment.  Chiropractic focuses on treating the root cause of any pain, rather than masking symptoms with medication.

Chiropractic takes a systemic approach to care, meaning the body as a whole and your body’s own self-healing properties are considered in every case. This is why your initial consultation and assessment with a chiropractor is especially important.  We will work to understand your goals for treatment, and take a very detailed record of your current condition using a physical exam and sometimes x-rays.  From there we can form a treatment plan to target any issues and improve overall health.

Chiropractors not only treat damage to hard and soft tissue, but help patients experiencing injury or disease find relief from the stress their body is under.  Whether you are in serious pain or looking to restore your body’s natural balance, we welcome you to experience chiropractic treatment and find the relief you’re looking for.

To learn more about all the services we provide, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Laser Lipo

Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center utilizes lasers in his chiropractic treatment and has seen how effective the targeted treatment they allow for can be.  Dr. Huggins now offers laser liposuction, using the power of lasers to help patients cosmetically improve stubborn areas of fat.

Traditional liposuction removes fat cells and requires a hospital stay.  Laser lipo works by aiming lasers at your lower body and is specifically designed to puncture holes in your fat cells so that they deflate.  The fat cells remain in the body, but once they have deflated they are much smaller.  This outpatient procedure is a way to target problem areas of fat without major surgery.  Just like traditional liposuction, laser lipo is not a fast track solution to weight loss.  It is meant to target stubborn areas of fat that haven’t improved with diet and exercise alone.  A consultation is the only way to know if laser lipo will be effective in achieving your goal, and you must schedule a consultation before proceeding with treatment.

To learn more about laser lipo and all the services we provide, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Auto Accidents

When someone is involved in a car accident that isn’t a major collision, it may seem more like a nuisance than trauma.  We typically worry more about being late for work or an insurance claim, and don’t always stop to assess what damage may have been done to our bodies. At Carolina Chiropractic Center, we know some drivers and passengers feel the effects of whiplash injuries immediately following an accident, while others may walk away not feeling injured and experience pain later. This is why Dr. James Huggins, Jr. should always be seen for evaluation.

Whiplash occurs when a person’s head moves backward and then forward very suddenly with great force, causing the tendons and ligaments in your neck to tear. The most common site of pain and stiffness for passengers involved in an accident are the neck and back.  A chiropractor can evaluate these injuries, as well as treat damage to both hard and soft tissue. Depending on a patient’s evaluation the chiropractor may perform an adjustment or assign exercises to help heal a particular injury.  If you have been involved in a car accident of any severity, please contact us. 

To learn more about all the services we provide, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Healthy Sleeping Positions

If sitting for too long is bad for you, is holding the same position during sleep even worse? It depends on your sleeping posture. We at the Carolina Chiropractic Center treat lots of people who have unwittingly strained their back and neck muscles by maintaining a strenuous posture for hours, and we want to teach people to sleep in a way that will actually help them rest.

The most dangerous position to sleep in is on your stomach. Doing this puts your back out of alignment, forces your head to turn away from your torso, and pushes the neck backward. It also puts pressure on the front of the body, which is not built to support the rest.

The best position to sleep in for spinal health is on your back. Doing this keep the entire spine in alignment and minimizes pressure on the body. However, it also creates a risk of sagging throat tissue blocking your airways. Snoring and sleep apnea are most common in people who sleep on their backs, though they are the least likely to suffer back pain.

Sleeping on your side may be a good compromise position. The main thing you need to be cautious of is not to curl up too much. Ideally, the neck should hardly bend forward at all. Many people also hold a pillow between their knees to maintain skeletal alignment.

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 CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.