by Dr. Chad Koterba | May 16, 2023 | Nerve Pain
Are you someone who has suffered from nerve dysfunction or nerve damage due to an accident, or repetitive injury? Do you want to know how chiropractic care can help restore your body’s natural communication system and improve your overall well-being? Well, you’ve come to the right place, so let’s discuss.
First – the nervous system. It’s like the control center for our body, consisting of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. The central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, is responsible for processing and relaying information throughout the body. The peripheral nervous system also has a similar system that communicates with our fingers, toes, and limbs.
But sometimes, things go wrong. Conditions like neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatic, and “pinched nerves” can disrupt this communication and cause nerve dysfunction. This is where chiropractic care comes in! Chiropractors use a term called “subluxation complex” to describe compromised nerve transmission caused by compressed or irritated nerves. By reducing nerve compression, chiropractic care can restore function, improve nerve communication throughout the body, and alleviate pain.
So, what does chiropractic care involve? Chiropractors use spinal manipulation and mobilization along with non-surgical, non-drug approaches such as exercises, stretches, nutritional advice, and anti-inflammatory measures to treat nerve dysfunction. This includes techniques like chiropractic adjustments, electric stimulation, soft tissue work, at home stretching/strengthening exercises, and nutritional counseling.
The best part? Chiropractic care is safe and effective. It’s a great option to try first before turning to more invasive treatments. Plus, if chiropractic care isn’t the right fit for you, your doctor can help guide you to other types of care that might be helpful for your specific condition. At Ultimate Health Chiropractic we are on your team, and want to help you feel your best!
So, if you’re experiencing nerve dysfunction, don’t wait! Consider chiropractic care as a means to restore function and improve your quality of life. Ready to schedule a Free Consultation and learn more? Click here to get started.
by Dr. Chad Koterba | May 2, 2023 | Back Pain
Have you been feeling like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your lower back? Does your back hurt so bad that you dread getting out of bed every morning? You’re not alone. Millions of people worldwide suffer from low back pain (LBP), and it can be downright debilitating.
Last month we discussed if getting an MRI was right for your lower back pain. But now let’s explore how chiropractic care can help you find relief and get back to living your best life.
First, let’s start by taking a closer look at the anatomy of the lower back. Your lower back is made up of five lumbar vertebrae that hold up the weight of your upper body and protect your spinal cord. It’s like the foundation of a house, and when it’s not working correctly, everything else can crumble. Between each vertebrae, you have these little cushiony disks that absorb pressure from your daily movements, and facet joints that allow for flexibility in movements like bending forward, backward, and sideways. The sacrum, which is at the base of the spine, is connected to the pelvis by the sacroiliac joint (SIJ).
So, what can go wrong in this complex system of bones and joints? A lot, actually. Lower back pain can be caused by herniated disks, spinal stenosis (narrowing), osteoarthritis, and SIJ dysfunction. Pinched nerves in the lower back can also cause weakness, radiating pain down the legs, numbness, or tingling sensations. Additionally, spinal misalignments, poor posture, and muscle strains can trigger low back pain. It’s like a game of Jenga – if one piece is off, the whole thing can come tumbling down. It is a system that all needs to work properly together, or dysfunction occurs.
If you’re suffering from lower back pain, a Chiropractor can help you find relief by conducting a thorough exam to identify the root cause of what is causing your pain. Once the problem is identified, the use of spinal adjustments, manual therapies, rehabilitative exercises, and addressing lifestyle changes will help to restore proper alignment and function of your spine and alleviate your pain. Many patients have decreased pain immediately after their care!
The best part? Chiropractic care is safe, non-invasive, and effective. You don’t have to resort to painkillers or surgery to find relief. And not only will it help alleviate your current pain, but it can also improve your posture and prevent future episodes of back pain. It’s like hitting the reset button on your lower back.
So, if you’re tired of living with lower back pain, don’t wait any longer. Book a Free Consultation today and let’s help you feel better quickly.
by Dr. Chad Koterba | Apr 17, 2023 | Nerve Pain, Recovery
Have you ever experienced that annoying tingly feeling in your limbs, like pins and needles? Well, that sensation can be a sign of nerve damage.
Nerves are complex micro-structures that require a lot of oxygen to function properly. When our nerves don’t receive enough oxygen, it can lead to damage in their infrastructure, which is similar to a heart attack damaging the heart muscle.
Damaged Nerves can be classified into mild, moderate, and severe stages. The ability for nerves to regenerate depends on the extent of damage and how long it has been since the injury occurred.
While nerves in the peripheral nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord can regenerate, those within the central nervous system generally do not.
However, there is hope for those with serious spinal cord injuries. Researchers have discovered molecular mechanisms that can promote axon regeneration in CNS injuries. Activation of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) has been identified as an essential step for axonal regeneration to occur in adult CNS neurons.
Now that’s a lot of information to take in and you might be saying to yourself “Dr. Chad, I’m experiencing these symptoms – just tell me what I need to do”
Fair enough. If you have experienced nerve-related symptoms, it’s important to seek the help of a chiropractic professional. We can identify injuries to peripheral nerves and the spinal cord, and work closely with other experts to help you achieve the best possible recovery.
With a personalized treatment plan, you’ll be on your way to feeling like your old self again!
Ready to schedule an appointment? Click Here to get started.
by Dr. Chad Koterba | Apr 4, 2023 | Back Pain
Hey there, fellow back pain sufferer!
It’s no secret that lower back pain can be, well, a real pain. And during these winter months there’s a good chance you’re less active than normal. And you’re not alone. Lower back pain is one of the top reasons people visit their doctor.
But have you ever considered getting an MRI scan of your back to help identify the problem and fix it? It’s a pretty common belief, but is it really the best idea?
Here’s my thoughts – There is a time and a place in care where an MRI might be needed. While an MRI can show detailed images of your spine and any abnormalities like disk degeneration, bulges, herniation, joint arthritis, and more, it can be tricky to determine which findings are actually causing your pain. It is only one piece of the puzzle to figuring out what is causing the problem.
Upon doing some research I saw a recent study that found patients who had an MRI earlier in their care for lower back pain had worse outcomes, more surgeries, and higher costs compared to those who didn’t have an MRI. Not good!
And get this: research shows that up to 64% of people have some type of disk problem without ever experiencing back pain. So even if an MRI shows a disk problem, it might not actually be the root cause of your lower back pain.
Don’t get me wrong, an MRI can be helpful if a surgical treatment decision depends on the findings or if you have weakness, numbness, or non-resolving lower back pain despite 4-6 weeks of non-surgical care. But generally, it’s unnecessary for most cases of lower back pain. In fact, it could even end up confusing you and your doctor.
So, before you go scheduling an MRI, make sure to talk to a healthcare professional (or trusted Chiropractor!) who can help determine the best course of action for your specific needs.
by Dr. Chad Koterba | Mar 27, 2023 | Mind And Body
Have you heard of Soul Health before? Some of you may have heard me talk about my Health Wheel. The Health Wheel is based on different “versions” of stress in our lives. If these stresses are not managed, over time they can lead to chronic health concerns, e.g. cardiovascular disease. The wheel is a way to self-assess how you are doing in certain areas of stress in your life and figure out how well you are managing that stress.
At the center of the Wheel is Soul Health, surrounded by four main components:
- Physical Stress
- Emotional Stress
- Chemical Stress
- Spiritual Stress
Soul health is located as the center point of the health wheel because I believe it is the focal point to our overall wellbeing. I have witnessed and heard story after story about people who were terminally ill yet still had a joyful spirit. Their physical health was completely in shambles, yet they remained upbeat, and full of life. I believe that is because their soul health was strong and healthy.
So, what is soul health? The way I look at soul health is: we are living in a spirit of gratitude, we see every opportunity and life experience as a learning and growing experience, we find joy in the simple things, and we have confidence in what happens when we die. Chalk it up to a positive MINDSET and always looking for the opportunity to grow, help others, or find the good in every situation.
Look into the eyes of someone that has a strong soul health and you will see a twinkle, or bright spirit in their eyes. Look in the eyes of someone who is struggling in their soul health and you will see a lack of life in their eyes. I think that soul health happens when life is more in balance, and someone learns to take time to enjoy the simple moments in life. They have more of a sense of inner peace no matter the circumstances in their life.
How does someone get soul health?
This is a hard question to answer. Here are some of the things I do to improve my soul health:
Slow down enough to stop and recognize my blessings in my everyday life.
Have an attitude of gratitude.
Make life more about others and less about myself.
Spend time with people that seem to be joyful and fill my cup rather than empty it.
Have a belief in something bigger than myself. For me that is God, and I have peace in knowing that I will go to heaven someday. Not because I was good enough but because I believe that Jesus died for my sins and I was given the gift of grace.
Do things that charge my battery.
Live in the moment.
Enjoy the relationships in my life. I meet with a 75 year old man every 2 weeks and he gets tears in his eyes every time he talks about how life is more about relationships than any other thing. He often says, “I have never heard anyone dying say that they wish they worked more, but they often say they wish they would have spent more time with the ones they love.”
Managing your stress is the first step in trying to reduce it. Simple things done over time lead to change. You can do it! It’s ok to stop and enjoy the simple moments that life brings. If you’re not sure how to promote more soul health, ask me at your next appointment and I will try to guide you in the right direction.
