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Don't Choose Drugs for Back Pain

In our Gadsden, AL office, Gadsden Family Chiropractic has helped many people heal from back pain. If you are dealing with back pain, you've most likely been tempted to take drugs to decrease the pain. You should recognize that research indicates that chiropractic is oftentimes a much healthier alternative than drugs when it comes to relieving this particular type of problem.

In a 2013 report published in the journal Spine researchers included 101 individuals who had experienced back pain for at least two days. Each one was then designated to one of three groups. The first group, which was made up of 37 people, received chiropractic care and a placebo of the NSAID diclofenac. The second group of 38 patients received sham chiropractic treatments and the real drug. The third group of 25 individuals acted as the control as those subjects received sham chiropractic and also received the placebo, thus having no real care whatsoever.

All of the people who received some form of real treatment, whether through chiropractic care or the NSAID, fared better than the control group who had no actual therapy. However, when the two active groups were compared to one another, the people who received chiropractic adjustments had results that were "significantly better" than those who took the drug.

Chiropractic Promotes Natural Healing

Because chiropractic is non-invasive and doesn't use drugs, it helps enhance healing without unwanted side effects. For instance, anti-inflammatory drugs can result in ulcers, heart problems, and other serious health complications. Plus, the benefits of chiropractic last longer as it's purpose designed to correct the source of the spinal interference, not just treat the signs and symptoms.

If you're ready to address your back pain naturally, then chiropractic is for you. Call and make an appointment in our Gadsden, AL office with Gadsden Family Chiropractic today at (256) 543-3033. We'll help ease your back pain in a healthy way!

References

von Heymann WJ, Schloemer P, Timm J, Muehlbauer B. Spinal high-velocity low amplitude manipulation in acute nonspecific low back pain: a double-blind randomized controlled trial in comparison with diclofenac and placebo. Spine 2013;38(7):540-548.

If you are dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome after an auto collision, you're not alone. Gadsden Family Chiropractic sees this type of condition frequently in our Gadsden, AL office. Let's look at the root cause of thoracic outlet syndrome after an auto collision and see how chiropractic can help.

The thoracic outlet is a bundle of nerves and blood vessels that pass through your neck and shoulder to your arm. These vessels don't have a lot of space, so they travel under and through the strong bands of muscles that support your head.

In a crash, these muscles can be stretched and strained. If damaged, the muscles become swollen and tender, and they can develop scar tissue which restricts movement and puts stress on the tissues of the thoracic outlet. Pressure on the nerves can cause tingling or numbness in the shoulder, elbow and even the wrist. Pressure on the blood vessels can also cause problems in the arm.

Gadsden, AL Thoracic Outlet Treatment

Chiropractic can be an effective way to treat thoracic outlet syndrome, as Gadsden Family Chiropractic will help improve mobility in your spine and restore normal nerve function in your neck and shoulder.

Let us help you recover from thoracic outlet syndrome. Gadsden Family Chiropractic has helped many people with the same problem, and we can probably help you, too. First, we'll do a careful examination to determine the root cause of your pain, and then decide how to restore your body's natural functioning. Call us today at (256) 543-3033 if you have questions or would like to make an appointment.

Many people experience headache pain, and tension headaches are a frequent problem in our busy world. Postural problems and stress are common causes of tension headache pain, and ones that Gadsden Family Chiropractic and the personnel here in our Gadsden, AL chiropractic office have a lot of experience in treating.

Research Supports Chiropractic Eases Tension Headaches

The scientific literature shows our findings: A 2016 study from Spain treated a group of 76 patients with chronic tension headaches. The participants were divided into four treatment groups: 19 patients were treated with suboccipital inhibition (the therapist presses on the tight tissues at the top of the spine); 19 with chiropractic adjustments; 19 with both adjustments and suboccipital inhibition; and 19 received no treatment.

The researchers discovered that the spinal adjustments were beneficial at relieving pain, and that the best results were found when spinal adjustments were coupled with the suboccipital inhibition.

When we get run down, the nerves and tissues in the neck can be disrupted, leading to pain. Chiropractic works by removing these strains and restoring the normal nerve function to the tissues.

We're Here to Help Clients Find Help From Tension Headaches

If you live in Gadsden, AL and suffer from any kind of headache, we're here to help you get relief. Call Gadsden Family Chiropractic today at (256) 543-3033 for an appointment or more information.

Reference

Espi-Lopez GV, Rodriguez-Blanco C, Oliva-Pascual-Vaca A, et al. Do manual therapy techniques have a positive effect on quality of life in people with tension-type headache? A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine 2016; February 29.

Chiropractic is based on the principle of enabling your body to naturally heal through spinal adjustments and lifestyle changes that promote wellness. For Gadsden Family Chiropractic, this involves working hard to reestablish your body's normal performance to prevent the need for medications or surgical treatments. We find that many of our Gadsden, AL patients are relieved to find a natural answer for their health conditions.

One benefit of chiropractic is that it helps people minimize or even eliminate the use of narcotics. Prescriptions are commonly supplied to individuals who have back pain. This is such a serious crisis that the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) issued a press release stating that opioid (painkiller) dangers overshadow the benefits when prescribed for back pain.

Some of the most common narcotics, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), morphine, and codeine. Statistics offered by the AAN cite the fact that roughly 50% of the people taking these drugs for a period of three months are still on them five years later. This can further complicate the problem of back pain and healing, especially if an opiate dependency occurs.

Compare that to chiropractic which involves natural healing and the benefits are crystal clear. While a drug might be helpful at temporarily relieving the symptoms of a health issue, it's not a solution to the problem. A drug won't mend your injured back; it will only conceal the pain.

Gadsden Family Chiropractic will first examine you to get to the origin of your back pain and then work with you to solve the spinal interference -- without the need for risky medications.

If you're ready for relief, naturally, give our Gadsden, AL office a call at (256) 543-3033 to make an appointment with Gadsden Family Chiropractic.

References

• Risk of opioids outweigh benefits for headache, low back pain, other conditions. American Academy of Neurology;September 29, 2014.
• What are opioids? National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/opioids/what-are-opioids

Back Pain is a common symptom after an auto collision, and it's something that Gadsden Family Chiropractic sees frequently in our Gadsden, AL office. Let's look at the root cause of back pain after a car accident and see how your chiropractor can help.

During a rear-end car crash, your car and car seat are quickly accelerated forward against your torso. Since car seats don't perfectly align with the curve of your spine, the seat can put inconsistent pressure on your lower back. This can cause some of your spinal vertebrae to move in one direction while an adjacent vertebrae might move in another direction. This differential movement can sprain or strain the ligaments that hold your spine together. This type of injury can cause chronic back pain if not treated right away. Thankfully, chiropractic is one of the most effective ways to treat back pain.

If you've been hurt in a car crash and you're struggling with back pain, Gadsden Family Chiropractic is here to help. First, we'll do a careful evaluation to determine the root cause of your pain, and then decide how to restore your body's natural functioning. Ready to make an appointment? Give us a call at (256) 543-3033 and we'll get you back on the road to health.

When playing sports that require a lot of lower body movement, like football, soccer, and basketball, it's common to sustain some type of injury to your hips or legs. Between pulled hamstrings, sprained ankles, knee injuries, and more, many athletes have found themselves out of commission. Gadsden Family Chiropractic has seen all of these problems in our Gadsden, AL patients. The good news is, chiropractic care can help prevent some of these injuries from developing and research proves it.

Research Supports Chiropractic Helps With Sports Injuries & Recovery

Gadsden Family Chiropractic keeps current with all of the recent scientific research, and in a report published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, researchers from Macquarie University in Australia studied 59 semi-elite Australian Rules football players. Roughly one-half were placed in a control group and the others were put in a therapy group that received sports chiropractic care at regular intervals. During the first six weeks, this meant getting care once per week. The following three months consisted of an adjustment every two weeks before reducing those to one visit monthly for the final three months of the study.

The authors noted that there was a "significant" decrease in the number of leg strains the players received in the treatment group when compared to the control. In addition, they noticed that the subjects who engaged in chiropractic also had fewer weeks of missed practice and games as a result of non-contact knee injuries. This led them to determine that sports chiropractic treatment should be added to "the current best practice management."

Every major sports team in the US and the US Olympic Team has chiropractors on staff for their players, because they know that chiropractic really works. If you live near our office in Gadsden, AL and would like to see if Gadsden Family Chiropractic can help you boost your performance or reduce sports injuries, give our office a call today at (256) 543-3033 for an appointment.

Gadsden Family Chiropractic Can Help Patients Find Relief From Sports Injuries and Recover Faster

If you're suffering from severe pain, Gadsden Family Chiropractic and our staff are here to help you heal. Give our Gadsden, AL office a call today at (256) 543-3033 for an appointment today.

Bibliographic Reference

Hoskins W, Pollard H. The effect of a sports chiropractic manual therapy intervention on the prevention of back pain, hamstring and lower limb injuries in semi-elite Australian rules footballers: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010;11(64).

We work with many back pain patients in our Gadsden, AL chiropractic office, and Gadsden Family Chiropractic and our staff uses a variety of techniques to help get you out of pain and restore your spine's normal, healthy function. We find spinal decompression to be an effective approach.

Understanding Spinal Decompression Therapy

To help you better understand spinal decompression therapy, think of the discs in your spine like small balloons filled with jello. When you compress them (which occurs due to normal living, sustaining an injury, or other medical conditions), they can protrude, placing pressure on the nerves in your spine. This affects your brain's ability to communicate with tissues in the rest of your body.

If the force on the discs becomes too high, the discs can herniate or bulge. This reduces the cushion between your vertebrae and can cause pain. The purpose of spinal decompression therapy is to reduce this pressure to help increase your body's function and also reduce your level of discomfort.

Can Spinal Decompression Therapy Help Me?

Spinal decompression therapy relieves disc pressure through the use of a specially designed table that gently elongates your spinal column through slow and controlled movements. This decreases the pressure placed on your discs. Some studies show an increase in disc height by as much as 1.3 millimeters after just six weeks of spinal decompression therapy.

If you're wondering if spinal decompression therapy could help you feel and perform better, simply call our Gadsden, AL office and schedule an appointment with Gadsden Family Chiropractic today. Your optimal health is our number one priority!

Resources

Apfel CC, Cakmakkaya OS, Richmond C, et al. Restoration of disk height through non-surgical spinal decompression is associated with decreased discogenic low back pain: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010;11(155). doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-155

In our Gadsden, AL practice, it's common for us to see patients struggling with sciatic nerve pain, and Gadsden Family Chiropractic has helped many of them recover with chiropractic. What makes chiropractic care so helpful to those who suffer with sciatica? First, it shortens their recovery time and a Norwegian medical study confirms it.

Research Proves Chiropractic Helps With Sciatica Pain

In the article, which took place in a Norwegian hospital's orthopedic department, the authors looked at 44 patients who presented with abrupt low back pain that was diagnosed as acute sciatica. The participants were all treated by a chiropractor, with the mean follow-up being two years after treatment.

The researchers found that all but two patients went back to their jobs after receiving chiropractic adjustments, which is a 95% success rate. What's more, the average length of time that the patients spent off work "was reduced by two thirds as compared with that associated with conventional medical treatment."

Considering that the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 170,450 days of work were missed in 2013 due to employees dealing with back or spine-related issues, that is nearly 112,500 work days that could potentially be recovered each and every year solely by receiving chiropractic care. Not only would that increase productivity, but it would also reduce costs to businesses and employees from lost work.

We Can Help Patients Find Relief From Sciatica

If you live in Gadsden, AL and you suffer from sciatica pain, Gadsden Family Chiropractic is here to assist. Give us a call at (256) 543-3033 and we'll work with you to find the root cause of your sciatic pain and get you back on the road to health.

Orlin JR, Didriksen A. Results of chiropractic treatment of lumbopelvic fixation in 44 patients admitted to an orthopedic department. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2007;30(2):135-139.

Headache and neck pain are common problems that affect millions of men and women around the world. If you are dealing with this type of problem, you're not alone. The good news is that chiropractic care is the best way to not only treat these common problems, but also help prevent future episodes.

Research Proves Chiropractic Helps With Neck Pain and Headaches

For many years, people with neck and headache pain in Gadsden, AL have been helped by the chiropractic adjustments of Gadsden Family Chiropractic. Our success is backed up by a recent review done in Canada that found that non-invasive, non-drug solutions are the best choice for neck and headache pain.

The study looked at 15 studies from 1990 to 2015 and found that conservative treatment comprised of chiropractic adjustments, exercises, and stretches was recommended before turning to drugs or more invasive procedures.

Past scientific studies have shown that chiropractic is effective and safe for neck pain and many other health conditions.

We Can Help Clients Find Relief From Neck Pain and Headaches

If you're suffering from neck pain or headaches, Gadsden Family Chiropractic and our staff are here to help you heal. Give our Gadsden, AL office a call today at (256) 543-3033 for an appointment today.

Reference

Varatharajan S, Ferguson B, Chrobak K, et al. Are non-invasive interventions effective for the management of headaches associated with neck pain? An update of the Bone and Joint Decade Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. European Spine Journal 2016; February 6:1-29.

There are many different kinds of headache, but one of the most common types is known as "cervicogenic headache," or headaches that originate in your neck.

Gadsden Family Chiropractic sees a lot of people in our Gadsden, AL office who are struggling with frequent headaches. Thankfully, chiropractic can often help, potentially reducing these types of headaches by 50%, and research confirms it.

Research Proves Chiropractic Helps With Cervicogenic Headaches

A study was conducted involving 80 participants who reported experiencing at least five cervicogenic headaches during the prior three months. The objective was to see how effective chiropractic care was for this type of head pain, as well as to ascertain the number of treatment sessions required to achieve a positive effect.

The individuals were split into four separate groups, so that each group was similar in age, gender, number of cervicogenic headaches, and their intensity. Of the four groups, two engaged in chiropractic treatments and two received light massage. Furthermore, one group assigned to each treatment received eight sessions and the other group received twice that amount.

Each person was assessed based on head pain, neck pain, and disability prior to the study and 12 and 24 weeks after treatment was complete. The researchers found that those who received chiropractic as opposed to massage reported fewer headaches at the conclusion of the study. Furthermore, improvements were maintained when checked six months after treatment ended.

Additionally, participants who were taking medications for their headaches were able to lower their intake after completing the study. Those who received chiropractic had lower drug usage 24 weeks post-study.

We Can Help Clients Find Comfort From Head Pain

Gadsden Family Chiropractic has helped many people who were suffering from headaches in our Gadsden, AL office. Call us today at (256) 543-3033 for more information or for an appointment.

Reference

Haas M, Spegman A, Peterson D, Aickin M, Vavrek D. Dose response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for chronic cervicogenic headache: a pilot randomized controlled trial. The Spine Journal 2010; 10: 117-128.