Severe Upper Back Pain
Sever upper back pain is very limiting. Most patients who report this type of problem usually are unable to work and frequently have difficulty driving to our office. The term ”paralyzing” has even been used to describe this type of pain. The good new? It is commonly not a serious injury or condition and many patients report significant reduction is pain with one visit to our office. Occasionally upper back pain can be related to more serious conditions, but it usually is a simple rib joint dysfunction. For our purposes we are going to address the most common source of upper back pain.
This type of severe upper back pain begins almost spontaneously with stabbing pain located just to the side of the spine and in between the shoulder blades. This occurs when a rib joint is dysfunctional- meaning that where it attaches to other bones (vertebra in the back, sternum in the front) the joint can not move or function the way it is supposed to. Common reasons for this dysfunction are muscle imbalance, poor posture, certain unguarded movements, or even just strain from repetitive improper motion.
What can we do about it?
By adjusting the rib, vertebrae, and other joints the dysfunction will be reduce and proper motion restored. Some muscle therapy may be required to improve healing time. And most importantly a full examination of the structures involved should be completed in order to isolate the exact cause in each individual patient. Once we have identified the source of the problem we can help the patient make the corrections (minor or major) in order to prevent the problem from recurring.
How many visits will it take to eliminate the pain from one particular episode?
Usually the first adjustment provides significant pain relief. We often recommend 2-3 treatments to optimize healing time and give us opportunity to educate the patient on how to avoid the problem again. This amount of treatment will also help us to identify other potential causes that could result in other problems in left untreated.
If you currently have sever upper back pain please contact our office to schedule an appointment. We create our schedule to allow for same day appointments and often we are able to get you in for treatment within a few hours. Call 801-810-4144 to schedule.
Natural Relief For Joint Pain- Cold Laser
Are you looking for natural relief for joint pain? Do you endure pain just to be able to function at a minimal level? Do you avoid activities that you love because the pain just is too excruciating? Have you tried to find relief but haven’t found anything that is worth the side effects? We have good news for you- There may be a new treatment for you to try. Cold laser therapy is a fantastic way to find joint pain relief. It is based upon adding light or energy to each individual cell helping it to function at a healthier state. This therapy enjoys a wide range of benefits.
First, it has no significant side effects when properly applied. “Cold” laser means that it does not create heat inside the tissues it is targeting. This prevents it from incurring inflammation. Additionally, it doesn’t simply hide the pain, but helps the area to heal faster by providing it with energy. In our opinion, this therapy is vastly superior to any synthetic drug or surgery due to its natural effects. In addition, this therapy is affordable and can be applied to almost any condition other than to the eye or thyroid gland.
Cold laser therapy has been tested for use on neck pain, carpal tunnel pain, and for plantar fascists to name a few. For each of these and many more conditions it has seen great results with no side effects. For some this therapy is a fantastic, conservative and natural alternative to surgery. It can reduce pain, help tissues to heal, and avoid any damage to the liver, stomach, blood stream, or any other body system. These organs and systems are allowed to function without interference and may actually be improved.
There are different types of cold lasers on the market today. Some of the brands have specific wavelengths that have been tested to provide specific benefits- neurological improvement, superficial tissue healing, and decreased inflammation. The laser therapy we provide includes two different laser wavelengths which optimize pain relief and tissue healing in one treatment. We combine this treatment with our chiropractic care to provide patients with the best possible pain relief.
For a treatment to be successful it not only needs to provide pain relief, but it also must provide that relief in a long-lasting manner. When chiropractic care is used in conjunction with cold laser therapy we are more likely to see that relief being enjoyed for a long period of time. This is due to our approach of finding the source of the pain, along with its contributing factors. This not only provides relief, but corrects the cause of the condition and prevents recurrence.
If you are interested in natural relief for joint pain consider cold laser therapy. Chiropractic adjustments supplemented with cold laser therapy have a very high success rate at pain relief and elimination. Contact our office to schedule a no charge consultation with Dr. Reynolds to answer any questions you might have concerning this treatment of any other treatments that we can offer. Call 801-810-4144 to schedule today.
Cold Laser Therapy
We are excited to announce the addition of a new service to our clinic. Cold Laser Therapy (also referred to as Low Level Light Therapy- LLLT) is now available. This service can be received in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments and other therapies or can be experienced without other treatment options.
What does Cold Laser Therapy do? It reduces pain by altering the levels of specific compounds that are active during the inflammation process. It also stimulates the mitochondrion in each cell to increase the production of ATP causing an increase in oxygen delivery and use in the cells. This improvement of biochemistry allows for an increase in overall cell energy and is used to transform live cells from a condition of illness to a healthy, stable state. General therapeutic laser biological effects include increased cell growth, increased metabolic activity, faster wound healing, anti-inflammatory action, increased vascular activity, reduced fibrous tissue formation, and stimulated nerve function.
Cold laser therapy is widely used for treatment of acute and chronic conditions. Below is a short list of conditions that have been shown to be treated successfully with Cold Laser Therapy: (* denotes conditions we have seen in our office)
- Ligament sprains (including ankle sprains)*
- Muscle strain (such as a hamstring or shoulder muscle)*
- Auto Collision injuries*
- Tendonitis*
- Arthritis (rheumatoid & osteoarthritis)*
- Elbow and wrist pain
- Back pain*
- Neck pain*
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Bursitis
- Earaches*
Here are some of the advantages of cold laser therapy treatments.
- Easy to apply
- Extremely safe
- Non-Toxic , Non-Invasive
- Painfree application
- No side effects
- Highly effective in reducing pain (more than 90% efficacy)
- Superior pain relief over analgesics, NSAID’s and other medications
- Significantly reduces the possibility of surgery
If you wish to receive Cold Laser Therapy for any condition please contact our office at 801-810-4144. We would be glad to assess your condition and help identify which treatment options would be optimal for your care and answer any questions you may have. Our office is located in Draper, Utah. We are a chiropractic pain relief clinic.
Desk Posture
The number of people with desk jobs has increased significantly over the last 10-15 years. In addition, the amount of time spent at a computer or desk at home or at work similarly risen dramatically. As such, there has been a plethera of posture related conditions that are much more common. With a quick look at the common posture of desk or computer workers can give a good idea of where these problems are coming from. Posture.
The common conditions that arise from this posture include headaches, arm and hand pain, neck pain, possible anxiety, and even panic attacks (usually involving more than posture). Breathing patterns and biomechanics are altered and organ function can actually be lowered due to this posture. There are other effects as well. The muscles of the back can become stretched and weakened. Chest muscles become short and tightened (don’t mistake this for becoming stronger). All in all, one may begin to change their appearance due to the sustained posture they hold while seated at a desk or computer.
It is common for anyone who spends any significant amount of time at a computer to begin to slouch or lean forward. The common position is where the chin begins to jut out and the shoulders roll forward while the upper back begins to round. I like to call this the “Melted Position” and it is commonly seen among high school students.
To begin to correct any problem created by poor or incorrect posture the cause must be properly evaluated. Chiropractic care is optimal for this. Full evaluation of the spine and seated and standing posture are examined. Chiropractic adjustments allow the spine to improve its range of motion and quality of motion. It also stimulated the nervous system to decrease pain and improve muscle function by optimizing innervation. Home care should also be provided to help overcome poor habits and allow the body to heal and correct itself.
Some simple advice can help one to avoid poor desk posture. This advice is intended to help one evaluate their need for further assistance or needed improvement and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. First, pay attention to chin position. If it is kept tucked in and not allowed to jut out that is a positive. Second, be aware of the shoulder blades. They should be tucked together gently in back without any assistance from the chest or shoulder muscles. These steps, when done properly and following the advice of a healthcare professional can be instrumental at avoiding pain and problems and allow for a healthy posture and body function.
Call to schedule an initial examination at our Draper, Utah office.
801-810-4144
Referred Pain
Referred pain is when pain is felt in a different place in the body then where the source of the pain is located. This is very common with the shoulder and neck. A muscle trigger point in a rotator cuff muscle can elicit pain into the forearm and hand. Neck problems can present as pain in the shoulder or arm. Ankle pain may be resulting from a low back issue. The best way to isolate and diagnose the problem is through a physical examination and history. The cause of such pain can be from muscle trigger point (AKA muscle knots), pain from nerve involvement, or pain resulting from other tissue conditions such as adhesions.
Headaches are another good example of this. Some headaches are actually a result of bad posture, causing certain muscles to become overworked and begin to present as headaches. A very common presentation of this is a headache that begins in the base of the skull and starts to creep up the back of the skull to the top of the head. The usual suspects include the suboccipital muscles and have that before mentioned pain referral pattern.
What are the alternatives to seeking chiropractic help? Here are a few options (and explanations why they are less than ideal).
“If I wait long enough maybe it will just go away”
-Pain is an indicator from your body that there is something wrong or out of balance. By ignoring it the condition often worsens. Even if the pain goes away the cause remains. Yes, sometimes pain can be temporary and harmless, but that occurs far less frequently than commonly thought. It’s best to identify the cause before the results have a chance to become devastating.
“I can just take some ibuprofen”
-The holistic response to this is “your pain is NOT an ibuprofen deficiency.” Can over the counter medications be useful? Absolutely. But remember that they should only be used as a functional ‘band aid’ to allow the person to function. They are never the long term solution to bodily pain. My recommendation to patients is to use them only if you are not able to stay active and only for a short period of time.
“I just need to exercise more or get in better shape”
-Physical activity is a fantastic way to help the body heal itself and maintain its own optimal function. There is more to the story here, though. Most people do not perform exercises to perfection. By performing an exercise short of perfection there is an increased chance of injury during and after the exercise. Proper stretching and warmup and are essential for the body to avoid trauma to muscles, joints and ligaments.
So, what should you do if you’re experiencing pain in the shoulder, head, arms, or legs to which you can’t figure out the cause? Contact our office in Draper or in Salt Lake and schedule an appointment for a physical examination and treatment. 801-810-4144.
Back Exercises
The most important thing to do after sustaining a low back injury or learning of a low back condition is to begin to improve muscle function. Bad back exercises can significantly reduce low back pain and prevent the return of pain. The back and spine can see improvement with specific exercises, many of which require very little back exercise equipment. Let’s go through each general region of the spine.
Low back strength exercises include those important for posture and proper biomechanics- the way the body moves. By adapting your back movements, including bending down, rotating, sitting, standing up, and lifting, you can successfully prevent most of the common low back injuries. In addition, strong low back muscles don’t always mean a healthy back. The trick is to have strong intrinsic muscles allowing sustained support during motion and activity. ‘Squats against gravity’ is a great way to start. Be sure to keep proper form and go slowly. Also make sure that the low back remains flat and the bending motion comes from the hips.
Upper back pain exercises are almost always related to posture. Having the right muscles holding your posture is the key here. Don’t allow your shoulders to round forward or slump, and watch out for your chin jutting out. When observing posture an easy way to note if your pectoral muscles have been overworked or are unbalanced with back muscles is no note the directions your palms face with your arms relaxed and allowed to hang at your side. If the palms face toward your legs then you are probably in balance. If they face backward then they are too tight and need to be stretched along with the back muscles strengthened. Remember, the best way to stay healthy and avoid injury is to be balanced.
Neck pain exercises begin in the upper back. Starting with posture, the chin must stay tucked in order for the neck muscles to hold the right balance from front to back. Cervical (Neck) curvature is also a very important variant that can determine just how effective neck exercises can be at preventing injury and improving pain and discomfort. Isometric exercises are an excellent way to increase strength while limiting chances of injury. The word ‘ISOMETRIC’ means same length. During these exercises movement should not be experienced. Using resistance one should contract the targeted muscle without causing movement. Repetition is helpful and rest periods should be used between 3 to 5 seconds contractions.
Back exercises are a wonderful way to make sure you are balanced. As always, a physical examination by a chiropractic physician can be a great way to improved health and wellness. We can usually get anyone in to our office within 24 hours of first contact and many times we are able to see patients the same day. Give our office a call and schedule an appointment today. We are also within 3 to 5 minutes of the I-15 freeway off the Draper 12300 South exit.
Upper Back Pain & Posture
Low back pain is one of the most common health complaints. What most people are coming to realize is that upper back muscle pain may be the fastest growing complaint today. Why? Today’s society has become much more sedentary and technology- oriented. This means that we are no longer in the habit of being physically active throughout the day. The way we communicate, enjoy entertainment, work, and basically life is through the use of technology and computers. What does that have to do with our health? It all relates to our posture. How we position our bodies while we are engaged in our activities or work and pleasure can and will determine our overall posture and appearance, not to mention the type and intensity of pain experienced.
I see people every week who come into my office who say, “Can you do anything for this pain between my shoulder blades?” The answer is “Sure, but the most effective way to get rid of pain and stay out of pain is to correct your posture.” The next set of questions I hear are, “well, how can I do that? Isn’t that difficult to do? And, can’t you correct it for me?” The truth is that chiropractors will help resolve the joint issues that results from bad posture and are an excellent resource for identifying the underlying cause, but the problem is long-term improper posture. Most people don’t even know that issues until their upper back is examined. What most people don’t realize is that the body has a balance between the muscles of the neck, the shoulder, and the upper back. The most common upper back muscle that is involved in upper back problems is the levator scapulae. This muscle originates at the shoulder blade (scapula) and inserts into the upper cervical vertebra and base of skull. As such, it can also be the source of headaches.
So, what can be done to resolve these issues? Correct your posture! How? Begin by being aware of how you sit and stand during long periods of time. Having a physical examination is essential to identifying exactly where weaknesses may be- left or right, lower of upper right quadrant pain, etc . Performing the proper upper back pain exercises is central to improvement and strengthening weak muscles and stretching shortened muscle is key to recovery. These exercises are simple and can make a huge difference in the decrease or elimination of back pain. General physical activity is a great source for postural improvement and in some cases may be more effective in improving posture. This is due to the use of entire muscles groups.
In summary- if you have upper back pain get it checked out. The solution may be as simple as receiving chiropractic adjustments, lightly modifying your standing or seated posture, and becoming more active. Sometimes we just don’t realize how much better we can feel until we try
