Degenerative Disc Disease is a misnomer

Degenerative disc disease is a common diagnosis, even among people in their 30s. Many people become scared at the idea they could have degenerative disc disease at such a young age- “How much worse will it be when I am in my 60s,” is a common refrain. But the term is poorly coined- degenerative disc disease is not a progressively worsening condition and evidence indicates that it may be just the opposite; the degenerative cascade theory suggests that the condition will actually improve over time. How can this be so? 

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Stagnation is the norm

How familiar is this weekday schedule:

• 1 hour of commuting 
• 6-8 hours sitting at the office
• 2-4 hours sitting at home recreating or in front of screens

Let’s apply the scope of circulation to this scenario: when you sit for this long each day, your blood circulation becomes stagnant. When your blood doesn’t flow, nutrients and oxygen can’t reach the cells in need, while excess cell waste and lymphatic material is left to accumulate because it can’t be carried away. What does this mean for you:

• Low oxygenation in the brain leads to headaches and anxiety
• Swelling and pain in the extremities
• Loss of range of motion 
• Muscle degeneration

 Excessive sitting can even go so far as to damage blood vessels and many experts are debating not over whether or not it takes years off your life, but how many! So what is the answer to this circulation stagnation? Movement. Movement of any kind, whether it’s standing up, walking and bending over to take a drink from the water fountain or something more exhaustive, helps get your blood flowing.

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Self-care for your back pain

Most cases of non-specific back pain will see the body heal itself in a matter of weeks; conventional wisdom states that if the pain hangs around for longer than four weeks, you should seek the help of a qualified health professional. But one month is plenty of time for you to institute a regime of self-care that will not only heal the existing injury but also strengthen your back to prevent injury moving forward. It all comes down to being proactive. 

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What mother wouldn’t say no to a shorter, easier labor in hindsight?

Much of the so-called typical pains of pregnancy are caused by instability at the base of the spine, onset by pelvic misalignment. This misalignment is caused by hormonal and physical changes that loosen ligaments in the pelvis to make way for the passage of the child. Misalignment in this region is linked to: 

• Lower back pain
• Sciatica 
• Breech presentation
• Complications during labor and delivery

Intrauterine restraint refers to the condition where, due to pelvic misalignment, the amount of room available for the baby to grow is reduced. So, you can see the reasons why maintaining proper alignment of the pelvis is important. But let us give you one further reason why chiropractic can help optimize your pregnancy: shortening labor times. 

A shorter labor thanks to chiropractic

By aligning the pelvis, providing plenty of room for the baby to grow and addressing breech presentation with the Webster Technique, chiropractic is a dynamic force for maintaining the well-being of your pregnancy. The US National Library of Medicine National Institute National Institutes of Health released a comparative study that, “Chiropractic evaluation and treatment during pregnancy may be considered a safe and effective means of treating common musculoskeletal symptoms that affect pregnant patients.” Further comparative studies have shown that chiropractic can actually reduce labor times in both first-time pregnancies and the successive pregnancies that follow. 

Chiropractic is a pregnancies best friend 

By using natural, hands-on techniques, we ensure that your body is in the optimal state for delivery when the due date approaches. We place a premium on relaxing techniques that reduce pain for the mother and ensure an all-around nurturing environment within which the child can grow. If you are interested in using our services to facilitate an easier pregnancy and a shorter labor, give our office in Fremont a call to schedule an appointment today. 

The mechanics of the core

Using your core properly is one of the most powerful ways you can influence the health of your spine and maintain its integrity long into life. Unfortunately, fewer people than ever even know what their core is, let alone how to use it properly. Understanding your core is a key insight into understanding your body and how it experiences pain. 

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Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins of which we don’t get enough

A conservative estimate states that as many as 1 in 20 people are suffering from vitamin D deficiency at any time and this number certainly gets higher the further north you go. People living in sun-deficient locales are the most at risk, because vitamin D is hard to get from food alone. The most potent way to get vitamin D is through direct exposure to sunlight. But what is so bad about vitamin D deficiency? Here are some of the symptoms:

• Contributes to chronic pain
• Bone and muscle soreness
• Fatigue and depression
• Lower pain threshold

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Here is our list of occupations that cause the most back pain

All of these jobs are present in our community and each come with their own set of unique risks for the back: 

• Public service sector
• Health industry workers
• Construction workers
• Warehouse workers
• White collar workers, freelancers

You will notice that the first four categories include a lot of lifting, while the last category may not lift more than their laptop. However, it is important to realize that your occupation is probably not good for your spine. That way, you are more aware of factors like posture and exercise that will help you remain resilient against the demands of your job. 

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Construction workers need to pay special attention to their spines

There is a reason why construction work is among the top professions with back pain. The heavy lifting, twisting and repetitive trauma that is part and parcel of the work is a leading cause of back strain. Over time, these problems compound to create long-term problems that can leave construction workers reeling after retirement. At Scorca Chiropractic, we want to help construction workers prevent back pain where possible, and minimize its impact when it happens. 

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Coccyx Pain is often severe

Coccydynia is the scientific name that refers to pain in the tailbone, the small bone which forms the final segment of the vertebral column. It connects with the sacrum by way of the sacrococcygeal joint and stabilizes the base of the spine where it meets the pelvis. An injury here means that basic actions such as sitting or going to the bathroom can cause severe pain. But how does coccydynia develop? 

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Gravity puts your spine under constant compression

So while we have to thank gravity for stopping us from floating away, we also have to contend with this compressive force that is constantly putting our spines under pressure. Along the course of our lives, there will be many other forces that contribute compression to our backs, some of which are not in our control (think, injury). However, there are many things we can control including posture! Posture is one of the most important factors in preventing compression to the spinal cord. For example, forward head posture, in which a person’s head is held forward from the balanced position atop the spine by a matter of inches, magnifies the downward pressure on the spine. Over time, poor posture and compressive forces will conspire to narrow the spinal canal, creating a whole host of problems. Common compression related spinal problems include: herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica and pinched nerves. 

Decompression therapy is the logical answer to compression-related conditions

Chiropractic utilizes a number of modalities to provide decompression therapy for spines suffering from constant compression. Spinal elongation rests upon the idea that we can reduce compression and open up space between vertebrae, allowing intervertebral discs the space they respite they need from compression. In so doing, your discs can rehydrate and in certain cases, bulging material may even retract to its original position. Modalities we use at Scorca Chiropractic to encourage spinal elongation include: 

• Manual and mechanical traction 
• Chiropractic adjustment
• Inversion
• Physical therapy 

Spinal elongation and decompression are pain relief embodied 

Decompression therapy is an effective tool for managing pain associated with compression-related conditions. However, it is not for everyone or all types of conditions; to find out if it is right for you, give our office a call to schedule an appointment today.