Thursday, April 29, 2021

Hip Flexor Strain

 

There are many causes of lower back pain, but one of the most common is tightness in the hips. Our lumbar vertebrae are large bodies that connect to large muscles running through the pelvis and into the upper leg. Problems with those muscles may be felt on both their ends, and may further radiate outward. As experts in lower back care, we at the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro regularly help patients to recover from hip flexor strain through a variety of non-addictive, non-invasive means, and we want everyone to know when they should seek care.


The hip flexors include a few different muscles that allow us to bend down and lift up our knees. Injuries to those muscles are usually felt at the front of the hip and tend to be worse when a person is walking or jumping. But when these muscles tighten after being injured or underused, they pull on the lumbar spine and cause it to move stiffly. They may also swell, in which case they may press on the sciatic nerves, which exit the lumbar vertebrae and travel through the pelvis on their way down the legs. Symptoms of sciatica include pain, tingling, and numbness along the leg, and in severe cases, may be accompanied by loss of function.


Continuing to overuse the hip flexors following an injury risks increasing the size of the tear. But beginning a few days after the injury, a patient will need to begin gradually returning to activity in order to help the muscles rebuild and become more resistant to future wear. In addition to coaching a patient on physical therapy, we provide electric muscle stimulation to help relax swollen lower back muscles, allowing them to get fresh nutrients. We also provide ultrasound and low level laser therapy to improve blood flow, and chiropractic adjustments to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerves. Patients may have to stick to impactless exercises such as swimming or riding a stationary bicycle during their recovery, but they are usually able to regain full function and return to their usual activities.


Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Core Strength as Prevention

 

Back pain is one of the most common health problems in the United States. It affects people doing nearly every kind of work, and has gotten worse during the past year when many people were using improvised offices and becoming even more sedentary. However, there are things we can do to reduce our risk of developing it. At the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, we value preventive care and help patients to recover from injuries holistically. Maintaining a strong core is one of the most important measures we can take to protect our spines.


Our vertebrae are cushioned by gelatinous discs that separate their bodies, and a network of thin muscles running along their facets allow us to bend over and backward. However, these structures can easily become overburdened through sudden use or tightened through lack of use. Maintaining strong, flexible core muscles distributes the body’s weight more evenly and allows it to be less reliant on smaller muscles for heavy lifting. The innermost core muscle is a horizontal band called the transverse abdominis, which provides support to the organs in our abdomens. Outside of it are the obliques, which support the ribs and allow us to twist and bend to each side. The outermost core muscle in the front is the rectus abdominis, which is the one that is most visible, but we also have deep connective muscles linking together our lower backs and the tops of our legs.


Our musculoskeletal health experts can help patients to devise plans that will allow them to exercise each of these muscle groups safely. Overuse of the hip muscles can cause them to swell and put pressure on the sciatic nerves, but if their strength is built up gradually, they will be more resistant to tearing when they are subjected to sudden pressure. For patients who are engaging in core strengthening as physical therapy, we also provide work-out recovery treatments such as therapeutic massages, electric muscle stimulation, and ultrasound.


Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520

Saturday, April 17, 2021

What is Whiplash?

 

If you’ve suffered a neck injury, it may take a few days for symptoms to develop. But if they do, they may be worse or longer-lasting than if you’d gotten help sooner. At the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, Dr. Jay McClanahan and his staff offer a variety of non-invasive musculoskeletal treatments to help patients recover from injuries more comfortably and completely. Those include treatments for whiplash, so we want everyone to know why they should seek help quickly if they’ve potentially suffered it.


The term “whiplash” is used to describe overstretching and tearing in the neck tissues that occur when a person’s head gets thrust forward and then snaps back. It includes injuries to several different kinds of soft tissues, many of which also connect to the head and shoulder, and can potentially include misalignments of the spinal vertebrae. Weakness in the neck’s ligaments and tendons may cause the neck to become stiff and experience persistent pain that becomes worse with movement. A subluxation in the neck vertebrae may also result in impingement of the nerves leading to the head, causing radiating headaches, or the nerves to the shoulders, causing stinging or numbness along an arm.


Although whiplash injuries may require rest in the short-term, keeping the neck immobile will allow the muscles to further atrophy. Immediate care following a car crash or other potential whiplash often includes cold and heat therapy to reduce swelling, with the goal of allowing the patient to begin physical therapy to rebuild their neck and shoulder muscles. Our office offers massage therapy to help loosen tight muscles, in addition to chiropractic adjustments to relieve nerve impingements. We also provide spinal decompression therapy to unblock trapped cervical fluids, further reducing pressure on the nerves in the neck, allowing the patient to remain active with less pain.


Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520

Monday, April 5, 2021

Chiropractic Care for Cyclists


According to People For Bikes, about 47.88 million Americans participated in bicycle riding in 2018. Cycling, a popular sport is only growing with thousands of riders today. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center located in Nitro, WV, many of Dr. Jay McClanahan’s patients are avid bicyclists. Here are five ways bicyclists benefit from chiropractic care.




Correct Posture


A biker’s position places more pressure on your neck and back. Your trusted Nitro, WV chiropractor evaluates your spine for misalignment and damage. Through a variety of spinal manipulations, we will correct your posture and provide different tips and tricks to maintain good spinal health the next time you get on a bicycle.




Relieve Joint Pain
Cycling places a strain on your joints, especially around the hip and knee areas. Using treatments like exercise and massage therapies, we loosen stiff muscles and strengthen your joints. 




Treat Injuries
Like any sport, biking has its fair share of accidents. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Dr. McClanahan is skilled in treating common bike injuries. This includes impact injuries, tendonitis, head and spine trauma, ruptured discs, and much more. 




Manage Shoulder & Neck Pain


One of the most common ailments bikers face is shoulder and neck pain. Hunching over your handlebars while trekking over long trails increases the tension on your spine. At our Nitro, WV office, we recommend spinal manipulations, acupuncture, or massage depending on the level of injury. 




Preventative Care


Even if you don’t suffer from injuries or biking-induced pain, we strongly encourage riders to visit our office today. We believe prevention is the best medicine for overall health. Our care improves mobility, flexibility, and strength, so you can enjoy bicycling free of pain and illnesses!



Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520.