by Dr. Chad Koterba | Nov 14, 2023 | Nerve Pain
Do you ever find yourself seeking chiropractic care for back or neck issues? Have you ever been curious about how chiropractic care functions and its advantages in addressing nerve pain compared to other healthcare options? In this article, we’ll delve into the nervous system and the role chiropractic care plays in restoring its proper function.
The nervous system comprises three main divisions: the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. The central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, processes and transmits information throughout the body. Think of the spinal cord as a crucial information highway, facilitating communication between the brain and the rest of your body.
Our everyday activities, such as walking or hiking, heavily rely on effective communication between the brain and the rest of our body. This communication is made possible through sensory-motor pathways, which are vital for smooth and safe movements. The peripheral nervous system functions similarly, handling the relay of information to and from areas like your toes, feet, legs, fingers, hands, and arms.
Apart from these pathways, we also possess reflexes that enable us to react swiftly to specific stimuli without requiring the brain’s processing. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for overseeing automatic bodily functions like breathing, heart rate, digestion, and hormonal regulation.
Various medical conditions can disrupt the communication processes between these systems. Conditions such as diabetes with neuropathy, nerve damage from carpal or cubital tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, or pinched nerves in the neck, mid-back, or low-back areas can be culprits. Other conditions, including multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and traumas leading to fractures, can also result in nerve, spinal cord, and brain damage.
Chiropractic care can offer relief from nerve dysfunction caused by these conditions. Chiropractors use the term “subluxation complex” to describe compromised nerve transmission due to compressed or irritated nerves. This happens because of the improper positioning of bones or joints along the nerve’s path. By reducing nerve compression, chiropractic care aims to restore proper function.
Chiropractic care involves methods like spinal manipulation, mobilization, and non-surgical, drug-free approaches such as exercises, nutritional guidance, home-care practices, and anti-inflammatory measures. These measures may include low-level and class IV laser therapy, electric stimulation, pulsed magnetic field therapy, and more.
One of the appealing aspects of chiropractic care is its minimal side effects and the well-documented benefits. It’s often considered a safe and effective starting point. If you’re not completely satisfied with the results, your healthcare provider can guide you towards alternative treatment options.
So, if you’re dealing with nerve pain, consider exploring chiropractic care with a free consultation from Ultimate Health Chiropractic. Let’s work together to help restore function and enhance your overall quality of life
by Dr. Chad Koterba | Jul 25, 2023 | Back Pain, Nerve Pain
When someone mentions low back pain our minds often conjure up images of a person hunched over, clutching their achy back. We’ve all experienced lower back pain at some point, and we can relate to the struggles and limitations it brings during those acute episodes. But what happens when back pain comes with unexpected symptoms like tingling or shooting pain down the leg? It can be confusing and worrisome. Let’s take a lighthearted journey into the anatomy of the low back to unravel the origins of these mysterious symptoms.
Unveiling the Backstage of the Spine
Picture the front of the spine, where the heavy-duty vertebral bodies and shock-absorbing disks diligently carry 80% of our weight. Now, venture to the back, where the spinous and transverse processes connect to the muscles and ligaments. Ah, and there they are—the tiny boney pieces known as pedicles. These pedicles determine the size of the holes through which the nerves make their grand exit from the spine.
The Case of the Narrowed Nerve Exits
Sometimes, due to genetic factors, these pedicles can be short, leading to compressed nerves. Enter foraminal spinal stenosis, where the nerves find themselves in a pinch due to the narrowed openings. This usually occurs as we age and osteoarthritis and degenerative disk disease join the party, crowding these nerve exits called “foramen.” But wait, there’s more! Short pedicles can also narrow the “central canal” where the spinal cord takes its journey up and down the spine. As time goes by, a combination of factors like disk bulging, osteoarthritic spurs, and ligament thickening can create a spectacle known as “central spinal stenosis.” Cue the symptoms!
Symptom Adventures: Tingling Legs and Beyond
Now, let’s talk symptoms. With spinal stenosis (whether foraminal or central), you might experience difficulty walking as tingling sensations gradually increase. Those legs might feel heavy, crampy, achy, or sore—one or both legs can join the sensation party. We call this tingling in the legs “neurogenic claudication,” which we must differentiate from “vascular claudication” caused by poor blood flow. The plot thickens!
Younger Troublemakers: Disks and Joints
In our younger years, tingling legs can also be attributed to a mischievous bulging or herniated lumbar disk. It can even be a case of referred pain from a joint—usually a facet or sacroiliac joint. The key difference between nerve and joint tingling lies in the symptoms. Nerve pinching from a misbehaving disk manifests in a specific area of the leg, like the inside or outside of the foot. Meanwhile, joint-related tingling feels like a deep, generalized achy-tingling that can affect the whole leg or foot. It’s a bit trickier to pinpoint, but it’s all part of the adventure!
Chiropractic to the Rescue!
Amidst this exciting journey into the mysteries of low back pain, there’s good news. Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, effective solution—a non-surgical, non-drug approach that aligns with lower back pain guidelines.
Have you been dealing with lower back pain, disk issues, or mischievous joints? Schedule a free consultation with me today and let’s work together on the solution that is best for you.
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 | 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.
