Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

Sciatica is one of the most searched terms for people seeking help for musculoskeletal conditions.

It’s also one of the most misunderstood conditions, even to those who suffering from it.

What is sciatica? 

Sciatica is actually a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis for what is causing the pain. What this means is that a separate issue is bringing on the symptoms that, together, are called sciatica.

Sciatica means a patient’s sciatic nerve, which starts in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg, is being compressed. This usually causes pain in the lower back, on one side of the buttock and/or down the back of that leg.

The most common lower back problems that cause sciatica are:

• lumbar spine subluxations (misaligned vertebral body or bodies)
• herniated or bulging discs (slipped discs)
• pregnancy and childbirth
• tumors

Non-spinal disorders that cause sciatica include:

• diabetes
• constipation
• and,for men, sitting on your wallet when it’s in your back pocket

How do I know if I have sciatica?

If you’re feeling pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg, you could have sciatica. The pain is described as dull, achy, sharp, pins and needles, or similar to electric shocks. Other symptoms associated with sciatica include burning, numbness and tingling sensations.

Usually, sciatica will affect only one side of your lower body, so if you’re feeling pain on both sides, it may be another condition.

How can my chiropractor help with my sciatica? 

The first thing your chiropractor will do is discover the underlying cause of your sciatica. Forming a diagnosis involves a review of your medical history and a physical and neurological examination. A diagnostic test may include X-ray, MRI, CT scan and/or Electrodiagnosis studies (e.g. nerve conduction velocity, electromyography).

Once a diagnosis has been made, your chiropractor will develop a treatment plan for you. The therapy provided will depend on the cause of your sciatica. A sciatica treatment plan may include several different treatments such as ice/cold therapies, ultrasound, TENS and spinal adjustments. To see what treatment will work best for you, see your chiropractor.

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

The first time you experience Wry neck, you immediately know something is wrong.

Even the smallest movement is excruciatingly painful. You aren’t able to turn your head without pain. You may feel like you’re not even able to get out of bed without help if you wake up with Wry neck.

If you’re on this blog because you have an acute Wry neck, don’t worry. Take a breath, however deep your body will allow, and read on.

What is Wry neck and how did this happen to me?

Wry neck is an onset of severe neck pain. Most cases are acute, meaning the onset is sudden. The pain is usually felt between the base of the skull and the top of the shoulders, and is usually worse on one side.

Patients with Wry neck will also likely experience:

• muscle spasms in the neck and upper back
• inability to turn the neck from side to side
• head tilt to favour the side that is most affected
• headache

There are a few reasons for why you may be experiencing an acute Wry neck.

1. You experienced an injury to your neck
2. You may have poor posture or have held your neck in one position for too long
3. You were lifting something heavy
4. There was a sudden or quick movement that caused the muscles in your neck to react
5. You may have slept in an awkward position
6. You recently had a deep tissue, therapeutic massage

Unfortunately sometimes there is no known cause or reason.

How do you treat Wry neck?

The good news about an acute case of Wry neck is that it will likely improve over 48 hours of onset.

For those 48 hours, limit your movement and use a heat pack for 20 minutes every couple of hours to help your muscles relax.

Often taking some of the pressure off your neck will help as well. Try using a travel pillow or a rolled up towel around your neck to provide some added stability.

Can chiropractic help? 

With Wry neck, your muscles will be hypersensitive and the pain will likely mean an adjustment will not be possible. Your chiropractor may be able to help by providing some light trigger point therapy or active release therapy; and additionally may be able to provide some release using ultrasound on the affected areas.

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

The expression “lending a hand,” has come to mean offering great assistance. We use this expression because we realize how important our hands are in our day-to-day activities. Those who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) understand the key role our hands play better than most.

CTS was associated with the second longest average time away from work (27 days) among the major disabling diseases and illnesses in all private industries, according to a report from the  Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

CTS is a condition caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist. It causes pain and numbness in the index and middle fingers and weakness of the thumb. Carpal tunnel receives its name from the eight bones in the wrist, called carpals, which, together with a ligament at the wrist, form a “tunnel,” through which the three nerves leading to the hand pass .

The first symptom usually seen in those suffering from CTS is numbness or tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers that comes and goes. This sensation often occurs during daily activities like holding a steering wheel, phone or newspaper. The sensation may extend from your wrist up your arm. You may also have a tendency to drop things. This is because of the weakness of the thumb’s pinching muscles controlled by the median nerve, which loses strength for most CTS suffers. As CTS worsens, the pain may be enough to wake you from your sleep.

Who is at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome?

CTS is a repetitive stress injury, meaning it’s an injury that’s caused by repetitive motion. People who perform repetitive motions daily with their hands such as typists, checkout staff, hairdressers and mechanics are at risk for CTS. Jobs like these often require repetitive flexing of the wrist, which may create pressure on the median nerve or worsen existing nerve damage.  Computer mouse manipulation is a current, very common contributing activity for CTS, with some many of us working in front of a computer all day.

Women are two to five times more likely to develop CTS than men. This may be because the carpal tunnel area is relatively smaller than in men. Pregnant women are also at higher risk because the fluid retention that comes along with pregnancy can irritate the median nerve.

How can I prevent carpal tunnel syndrome?

Reduce your force and relax your grip – You may not realize it, but you may be using more force than needed when you preform manual tasks.  A Perfect example of this could be pounding the keys on your keyboard, when a slight tap will do the trick. Using a track-ball device is a great alternative to a regular mouse for helping prevent CTS also. Being a conscious of how much force is needed relative to your task can go a long way in preventing CTS.

Improve your overall posture – It may sound simplistic, but the way you stand can have a negative chain-reaction to your hands. If you stand with your shoulders slouched forward, your neck and shoulder muscles are shortened, compressing nerves in your neck. This can affect your wrists, fingers and hands.

Keep your hands warm – You’re more likely to develop hand pain and stiffness if you work in a cold environment. If you work in Alberta’s often frosty conditions, a warm pair of gloves can do wonders.

What if I think I have carpal tunnel syndrome?

If you’ve been experiencing the symptoms related to CTS, consult your chiropractor.

Chiropractic is a safe and noninvasive treatment for CTS. After an initial diagnosis your chiropractor will recommend a specialized treatment plan for you. Your chiropractor could use one or a combination of the following treatments for your CTS pain including:

• an adjustment to your wrist, arm and upper spine. A misalignment of your spine could be significantly contributing your CTS
• ultrasound therapy, which uses sound waves to relax muscles, alleviate pain and reduce inflammation

wrist supports, which keep the wrist in the proper alignment

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

We live in an age where counting our steps everyday has become the norm. People spend an average of four hours each day on their feet and take 8,000 to 10,000 steps. It’s easy to forget the part of our body taking the brunt of those steps, our feet! For those with flat feet, the repetitive stress can take a toll.

What does it mean to be flat-footed?

Flat-foot means a lack of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot.

Few people have actual flat-feet. A true flat-foot is referred to as rigid pes planus. This is where the foot is completely flat even during non-weight bearing. This condition affects just under two per cent of adults.

What most people with flat-feet suffer from is called flexible (or functional) pes planus. Between 20 and 25 per cent of adults are estimated to have this form of flat-feet. (In this case, the arch will appear normal when the person is sitting (i.e. not bearing weight). However, when you stand up, you won’t be able to place an index finger under the arch. This is the form of flat feet we’re referring to in this blog.

Over time, flat-feet can lead to problems, including;

• heel pain,
• bunions,
• hammertoes,
• shin splints, and
• knee, hip or back pain.

How can I relieve the pain associated with flat-feet?

A visit to your chiropractor can do wonders for those feeling the pain of flat-feet. Your chiropractor will likely suggest individually fitted, orthotic arch supports once they’ve determined flat-feet to be the cause of your discomfort.

Orthotic arch supports are heat moldable plastic shoe inserts designed to support the arch on the inside of the foot. Orthotics also help in realigning your foot’s ankle joints and bones.

 A study even found orthotics to be effective in increasing athletic performance for those with flat-feet. Those tested ran with better efficiency and consumed less oxygen when running with orthotics.