Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic

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Chiropractic

It’s Not Sciatica Every Time! 

While sciatic nerve impingement/pain is the leading cause of lower back pain, it is not always the case of backache. Your back is a supportive structure comprising numerous bones, muscles, and soft tissues. Several times, deformity or disorder of any of this working armamentarium puts you in perpetual agony. So, in this article, we discuss conditions that are like sciatica and how you can manage them! 

Conditions Which Mimic Sciatica 

Joint Misalignment  

The sacroiliac joint (SI) is an important joint whose misalignment contributes to 10-25% of cases with low back and leg pain. Malignment of the joint mimics sciatic pain as patients experience radiating pain into the groin (or even lower extremity) with localized tenderness. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a common disorder that gives sciatica-like symptoms. Therefore, experts advise clinicians to thoroughly examine the SI joint, hips, and spine when diagnosing radiating pain in the low back.  

Iliotibial Band Syndrome 

An unusual cause of low back pain is iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). The IT band is a tendon present in the knee, and its swelling contributes greatly to knee pain. However, in some instances, the tightness of the tendon may contribute to lower back pain as well. Iliotibial band tightness and hip adductor weakness may be weakly linked to backache. So, getting your ITBS fixed can relieve you of back and knee pain. 

Piriformis Syndrome 

One of the most common conditions mistaken for sciatica is piriformis syndrome. Therefore, it is often referred to as pseudo sciatica. The piriformis muscle is a major muscle located in the buttocks region that allows you to move your legs. Inflammation of the muscle can press on the sciatic nerve and induce pain, numbness, and tingling like what we see in sciatica. 

With advancements in diagnosis, clinicians now identify deep gluteal syndrome as a significant cause of sciatica-like pain and hip discomfort. The non-discogenic pelvic conditions (mimicking sciatica) that fall under this syndrome include: 

  • Piriformis syndrome  
  • Ishchiofemoral impingement syndrome  
  • Gemelli-obturator internus syndrome  
  • Proximal hamstring syndrome
Paraspinal Muscle Spasm 

An overlooked cause of low back discomfort is muscle spasm of the paraspinal muscles. The group of muscles runs along the back of the spine and plays a crucial role in stabilizing it. Desk workers who spend long hours sitting on a chair often experience muscle spasms, which manifest as back pain, reduced range of motion. Quick diagnosis and management with modalities like foam rolling can evidently alleviate pain. 

How To Manage Sciatica-Like Conditions? 

The answer to this question is “chiropractic management”. The realignment of your spine and muscles not only resets the anatomical structures but also improves blood flow (which is needed for quick healing). Studies show that a combination of chiropractic manipulation and exercises works best for SI joint dysfunction. Professional stretching of a tight IT band (with trigger point therapy and chiropractic manipulation) can successfully relegate low back pain. This non-invasive treatment modality is great at releasing tight paraspinal muscles, too.  

Chiropractic Treatment at The Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic  

The Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic has, for years, helped diagnose and treat patients with spinal problems. Our experts not only heal you but also help identify tricky conditions. This helps provide the exact, custom-tailored therapy for you. So, if conventional therapy for sciatica isn’t working for you, visit us, as it might be a disorder similar to sciatica! 

References  

  1. Thawrani, D. P., Agabegi, S. S., & Asghar, F. (2019). Diagnosing sacroiliac joint pain. JAAOS-Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 27(3), 85-93. 
  2. Visser, L. H., Nijssen, P. G. N., Tijssen, C. C., Van Middendorp, J. J., & Schieving, J. (2013). Sciatica-like symptoms and the sacroiliac joint: clinical features and differential diagnosis. European Spine Journal, 22, 1657-1664. 
  3. Arab, A. M., & Nourbakhsh, M. R. (2010). The relationship between hip abductor muscle strength and iliotibial band tightness in individuals with low back pain. Chiropractic & osteopathy, 18, 1-5. 
  4. Park, J. W., Lee, Y. K., Lee, Y. J., Shin, S., Kang, Y., & Koo, K. H. (2020). Deep gluteal syndrome as a cause of posterior hip pain and sciatica-like pain. The bone & joint journal, 102(5), 556-567. 
  5. Lankepillewar, S., Sapkale, S., & Nagulkar, J. (2024). The immediate effect of foam rolling in Paraspinal Muscle spasm, pain and range of motion in desk job workers. 
  6. Hatık, S. H., Tekin, D., & Bayram, K. B. (2022). Comparing the effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation and muscle energy technique in sacroiliac joint dysfunction treatment. International Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research, 3(1), 8-17. 
  7. Kasunich, N. J. (2003). Changes in low back pain in a long distance runner after stretching the iliotibial band. Journal of chiropractic medicine, 2(1), 37-40. 

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Articles

Cranial Facial Release for Hormonal Imbalance 

Cranial Facial Release

Your brain is a highly organized structure that regulates all processes of the body. The different parts of the brain are specialized in performing specific tasks. You got the cerebrum storing information and governing the thought process. Similarly, the cerebellum helps you maintain balance while the hypothalamus regulates body temperature.  

While most structures have neurological roles, one structure differs from the usual. The pituitary gland is an endocrine gland designated to produce hormones. It isn’t just any endocrine gland but the master of all glands. Therefore, it is known as the “master gland of the body.”  

The master gland sits nicely in a depression (sella turcica) of the sphenoid bone. Trauma or injury to the sphenoid bone can lead to grave consequences on the pituitary gland. Research shows that traumatic injury to the head results in pituitary dysfunction. Fixations of the sphenoid bone do not lead to dysfunction but can downregulate the performance of the gland. 

Sphenoid Bone Fixations And Pituitary Gland 

The sphenoid bone moves with respiratory activity. In the expansion phase, the sphenoid bone arcs forward and downwards, while in the relaxation phase, it returns to normal. Sphenoid (cranial) fixations occur when the bone gets fixed in one place and does not allow rhythmic expansion of the cranium.  

Impact on the sphenoid bone leads to performance issues of the pituitary gland. Studies show that almost half of all traumatic brain injury (sphenoid bone trauma) patients suffer from partial or complete pituitary dysfunction. This indicates that fixation of the sphenoid bone can alter pituitary activity. 

Hormones Produced By The Pituitary Gland 

You can expect to see positive changes in the levels of the following hormones secreted by the pituitary gland: 

  • Growth hormone (GH)
  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH)
  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • Prolactin (PRL)
  • Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

Several infirmities arise due to imbalances in hormone levels. Female fertility greatly relies on the balance of LH and FSH. The growth of individuals depends on growth hormone and TSH. So, a Cranial Facial Release session can kickstart the pituitary gland and restore normal hormonal levels of the body.  

Best CFR At The Legacy Clinic 

You can visit the Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic for the amazing treatment modality i.e. Cranial Facial Release. You can naturally achieve the best hormonal levels with CFR without taking medicines or undergoing surgery. 

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Chiropractic

Manual Chiropractic Vs. Instrument Adjustment

At a modern chiropractic clinic, you can opt for a manual or an instrument-assisted adjustment session for your health issue. The true essence of chiropractic treatment lies in the touch of a chiropractor’s hands; however, the use of machines has made life easier for both the doctor and the patients.

Today, we shall shed some light on the benefits and disadvantages of both types of chiropractic treatments, i.e., manual adjustment and instrument-assisted adjustment.

Manual Adjustment

There are numerous advantages of getting a manual adjustment from an experienced chiropractor. The prime advantage is that you get healed with the original, centuries-old technique. Manual chiropractic treatment is what was designed initially to help correct bodily disorders.

The use of hands to diagnose and treat diseased bodies is taught at chiropractic schools. Thus, every chiropractor learns the basics of manual adjustment. This allows better communication between chiropractors and the patients.

The chances of an error with manual adjustment are low. Applying forces on the patient’s body is tricky business. A trained chiropractor carefully adjusts the force intensity and type depending on the body region and the condition of the patient. Therefore, patients can rely better on a manual session.

As the manual type merely requires the power of the chiropractor, there is no need for electricity or artificial energy to power up the instruments. Patients don’t need to wait for the charging or starting of chiropractic devices.

The physical contact of a chiropractor’s hands can amp up the process of healing. Researchers have identified the power of the healing touch of the healthcare provider. Research has identified multiple ways by which chiropractors impart a healing touch to the patient.

Instrument-Aided Adjustment

We have seen a myriad of biomedical devices in the health field. A lot of these devices have revolutionized the world of medicine. You can now find several highly efficacious instruments and devices that do a great job at spinal adjustments. Studies show that devices like the Activator Adjusting Instrument (AAI) have a clinical efficacy equal to manual adjustment.

With instrument-aided chiropractic adjustment, you can get the latest treatments in the field. Most high-end clinics keep their devices up-to-date so any new technique can be incorporated into the plan.

Another advantage of opting for instruments is time-saving. The sole purpose of all machines is to save time and effort. In general, instrument chiropractic sessions are completed sooner than manual ones. You should go for an instrument session if you are short of time.

The use of specially designed instruments allows precise application of forces. As the instruments are specifically designed, there is easier adjustment of areas that are hard to reach by hand. With machines and instruments, the same pain-relieving force can be applied every time the patient visits.

Conclusion

Both types of chiropractic treatments have their benefits and shortfalls. Selection of the right type comes from personal choice. Getting guidance from your chiropractor is the right thing to do.

Chiropractic Treatment At The Legacy Clinic

The Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic offers manual and instrument-aided chiropractic treatment for patients in Florida. Your search for the best manual and instrument-aided chiropractic treatment in the Villages, Florida. ends here! Click here for an appointment with the most skilled and highly trained chiropractors.

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Chiropractic

Chiropractic Adjustment Benefits For Back Pain

Every year millions of individuals suffer from chronic low back pain. The debilitating issue has a global prevalence of 8% and is a leading cause of years lived in disability (YLD). As low back pain hinders your day-to-day activities, it is critical to get immediate and effective treatment asap!

Pharmacological interventions mostly do not suffice in this case, therefore, low back pain is treated better by chiropractic adjustment. Today, we are going to be discussing the chiropractic adjustment benefits for low back pain.

Therapeutic Benefits Of Chiropractic Adjustments

The spine is a complex and delicate structure that has the tendency to get affected by trauma, injuries, and falls. In most cases, back pain is the outcome of intervertebral disc abruptions, muscle imbalances, or nerve impingements.

A chiropractor practically resets your bones, vertebrae, and muscles back to their original position, thereby, providing relief. This maneuver has the following benefits for the body:

1. Alleviated Pain

Research suggests that chiropractic treatment can provide evident low back pain relief (especially in pregnant women). The treatment modality has shown promising results in sciatica management as well. A study on sciatica suggests that patients undergoing spinal adjustment are ecstatic over the immediate pain relief.

2. Improved Mobility

By re-establishing the correct bone-muscle balance, chiropractic manipulation improves the mobility of the back. According to a 2021 study, there is some evidence that suggests that chiropractic treatment reduces movement restrictions in backache patients.

3. Improved Blood Flow (And Faster Healing)

Another medical advantage of getting chiropractic manipulation done is the robust improvements in blood flow. Prolonged improper postures and slouching over smartphones increase the non-uniform pressure on your muscles. This leads to the slowing down of blood supply and thus the development of muscle sprains and inflammation.

Chiropractic treatment allows better flow of blood (carrying anti-inflammatory cells) to the site of inflammation. This effect leads to a quicker reduction in inflammation and amped up the rate of healing.

4. Decreased Depressive Symptoms

Astonishingly! chiropractic manipulation of the spine can elevate mood and reduce symptoms of major depression. Pregnant ladies (in their 3rd trimester) usually have comorbid depressive symptoms with low back pain.

As per a 2020 study, spinal manipulation by chiropractic caregivers can tone down depression along with the pain.

5. Cut Down Medicinal Drugs

With the persistent gnawing back pain gone (or at least reduced) by a chiropractic adjustment, you don’t need to rile up your stomach with painkillers and muscle relaxants. A major advantage of getting chiropractic adjustment is that you don’t need analgesic pills because the pain relief isn’t temporary and has a solid practical basis.

Where Can I Find The Best Chiropractic Clinic?

Low back pain patients in Floride can get their spine fixed by visiting the Legacy Clinic.

The professional staff here makes sure that the chiropractic adjustments are fruitful for you.