It may surprise you to know that chiropractors like me, your chiropractor in Dallas, treat almost as many patients with knee pain as we do patients with back problems. But, we, chiropractors, would likely see far less knee problems if more people came in sooner for back care. That’s right! Most people don’t know that keeping their back in good condition can help prevent knee pain!

How is that possible? The answer is that the musculoskeletal system of the body functions in a compensatory, “chain-reaction” manner. Which is to say that when one area of the musculoskeletal system isn’t functioning correctly, the rest of the system shifts and tilts in an effort to compensate for the problem.  For example, pain in the patella (kneecap), also known as Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain) is frequently due to imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that connect to and move the patella. This inequality frequently begin in the lower spine, especially in the sacroiliac joint. It’s not unlike the old song, “…the knee bones connected to the thigh bone…”. From our head to our toes, we are one, whole, organic structure. It is for this reason that chronic challenges are never separated. So, it’s not just your back that’s the culprit! For instance, reduced foot movement in response to foot pain can also cause painful knee problems as well. In addition, poor knee tracking due to inappropropriate gait patterns, such as pronation (walking like a duck with toes pointed out rather than straight ahead), can create wear and tear on the knee joints and extreme pain over time. And, finally, excess body weight and, sorry, ladies, but the wearing of high heels on a regular basis can cause knee problems over time.

Fortunately, chiropractic treatment can restore healthy muscle balance, return appropriate motion to the patella and other knee joints, and adjust subluxations of the sacroiliac joints or bones of the foot. Your very last resort in attempting to get rid of your knee pain, should be knee replacement surgery! Try a conservative course of chiropractic treatment first.
But, you should never disregard knee pain, or “play through” knee pain, or continue walking in those lovely Jimmy Choo heels when your knees are aching. Pain is the body’s way of telling you that there’s a problem that needs correcting. If knee problems are not taken care of, the tissues of the knee joint, particularly the cartilage, will continue to degenerate. And, changes, such as bone spurs, can occur if the bones begin to rub on one another.

As we age, certain musculoskeletal problems frequently increase, such as knee pain and degerative joint disease (osteoarthritis). But remember, no matter what your age is today, right this minute you are younger than you will ever be again. See your Dallas Chiropractor today…for tomorrow’s sake!

Technorati Tags: arthritis, chiropractic, knee injury, knee pain

San Diego Chiropractor

As a San Diego Chiropractor, I counsel many individuals who come to my clinic who want to lose weight. I know how hard it can be, and I also know how important it is to lose those extra pounds. Have you been trying to persuade yourself that just a few extra pounds don’t matter? As we age, they can add up to a surprising number of health issues from heart and pulmonary diseases and diabetes to back challenges and joint degeneration. Extra pounds put excessive stress on organs, like the heart, and on joints in the low back, hips, and knees. Over half (62%) of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, according to recent studies. That is a very significant figure and a sizable dilemma (no pun intended).

It is likely no surprise to you to learn that the human body has not evolved to schlepp around a surfeit of weight in the form of body fat. Just an additional 20 or 30 pounds can literally overload and encumber the joints and muscles of the body. Excess weight in the tummy, for example, makes it necessary for the body to compensate (counterbalance the weight) by tilting the pelvis forward. This angle puts pressure on the joints of the low back. Joint compression restricts nerve activity and causes painful inflammation. A larger percentage of people that have a heavy midsectionexperience low back pain as the result of  a pinched sciatic nerve or spinal misalignments that constrict nerves as a consequence of weight-bearing stresses. If not addresses, misaligned vertebra as a rule create new arthritic changes in the spine over time, as well as persist in irritating the degenerative changes that have already taken place.

Here are the ways in which chiropractic treatment can help. To begin with the obvious, a “normal” body weight is necessary in order for the musculoskeletal system to perform in the way it is designed to. That said, in addition, chiropractic adjustments relieve nerve impingements in the spine and assist in getting mobility back into the joints of the musculoskeletal system, particularly in the low back, hips, and knees. And, obviously exercise and physical activity are a lot easier, and healthier for the body, when the spine is in alignment and the joints have good movement. Not only will exercise help with weight reduction, but it can actually reduce degenerative changes as over the years.

healthcare professionals, like your chiropractor, can advise you regarding your diet and exercise choices. In addition to caring for people suffering from back pain and joint inflammation, chiropractors can provide proficient advice on the kinds of lifestyle modifications that can help you to stay healthier, more vital, and more active through the years. arthritis and immobility due to aging don’t have to be compulsory. The human body was created for a lifetime of pain-free movement.

So, if those extra pounds have been sneaking up on you, and they’ve turned into a surprising load of pain, as your San Diego chiropractor and someone who understands, I can help. Make an appointment today!

Technorati Tags: arthritis, back pain, chiropractic, chiropractor, excess weight, joint inflammation, weight loss