Monday, May 23, 2022

Musculoskeletal Care for Hip Pain

 

Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, serving Nitro, WV, and the nearby area, gives the community a natural option for hip pain. Our Dr. Jay McClanahan offers a range of services, including chiropractic exercise, to help alleviate pain and promote healing or at least manage your condition and reduce progression. 

Causes of Hip Pain

Hip pain can either be acute or chronic. Acute pain flares up, possibly after an injury, and is often severe. Acute pain tends to last less than six months. 

On the other hand, chronic hip pain lasts longer than three months. The original cause could have been an injury that didn't heal properly or an infection. For some people, it's a condition triggering the pain. 

Some examples of issues that could lead to acute hip pain include tendinitis, muscle strain, or a ligament sprain. Chronic hip pain could stem from fibromyalgia or arthritis. Bursitis is often a cause of chronic pain as well. 

Diagnosing Your Pain   

When you arrive at our office in Nitro, WV, we'll ask you to fill out a medical history report. Our practitioner will ask you about any injuries, surgeries, or conditions you have. This can help us formulate a diagnosis or determine the appropriate treatment for you by altering the treatment to your needs or choosing ones that are safe for you. 

During this portion of the exam, our practitioner will inquire about when you feel pain as well as when the pain is worse. Our chiropractor will also want to know about any other symptoms you're feeling that could be associated with your hip pain. 

Sometimes, our specialist will order imaging to get a view of the bones and other components of the joint. 

Finding a Treatment Plan 

The next portion of the exam is determining an appropriate treatment plan and executing it. If you have a dislocated hip bone, our chiropractor may perform an alignment of the joint. 

Sometimes, the treatment may consist of chiropractic exercises, which are gentle stretches that work the muscles and soft tissue that make up the hips. The exercises encourage blood flow to the area for healing, increase flexion, optimize function, and promote healing. They gradually increase in difficulty based on how well you're healing. 

Our practitioner may recommend pain relief techniques, such as electrical muscle stimulation. Sometimes, pain management may include hot and cold therapy or massage therapy, among other options.

At our Nitro, WV, office, Dr. McClanahan will come up with a customized treatment plan for you for your hip pain. Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center is equipped to provide a range of treatments. 

Book an appointment with us today by calling 304-776-1520. 


Thursday, May 12, 2022

How Chiropractors Treat Lower Back Pain

 

How Chiropractors Treat Lower Back Pain

Our lower backs feel all of the weight of everything that we carry. Every twist, bend, and jolt can affect the lower vertebrae and the muscles. This means that pain can have a couple different sources, which will require different treatment. Dr. Jay McClanahan and the professionals of Dr. J. Chiropractic & Wellness Center can help Nitro, WV, area residents with treating their lower back pain.

What Are Causes of Lower Back Pain?

The lower back almost funnels all of the activity of the arms and back. The most common causes for lower back pain include:

  • Overuse/repeated use;
  • Improper posture;
  • Lifting too much;
  • Twisting while lifting; and
  • Accidents (home, auto, and work).

How Chiropractors Treat Lower Back Pain

Because more than one issue may be causing the back pain, chiropractors can use a few methods of treatment to attack multiple causes. Some of these include:

Chiropractic Adjustments

The vertebrae can become misaligned over time, regardless of preventative measures. Blunt, jarring actions, such as a fall or accident, almost always result in vertebrae moving. This will lead to the lower back muscles having to work harder to compensate for carrying the load of the back that the spine was intended to haul. 

By adjusting these vertebrae back into place, the weight will be redistributed to the spine and the muscles will be able to function as designed with a lighter load. 

Massage Therapy

Overused muscles can develop tenseness and inflammation. Not only can this be painful, but it can also restrict your mobility. 

Massage therapy releases the tension that has been building in the muscles. This improves the blood flow within the muscles, allowing oxygen and hydration to better regenerate the wear and tear the muscles have been experiencing. This will reduce the inflammation, pain, and stiffness.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Electrical muscle stimulation works by using electrical currents to rapidly tense and release a targeted area of muscle. This can reduce swelling and induces the body’s release of endorphins to improve healing to the area. 

If you are in the Nitro, WV, area and suffering from lower back pain, it is time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jay McClanahan. Contact the professionals of Dr. J. Chiropractic & Wellness Center to schedule your consultation today.


Thursday, May 5, 2022

Benefits of a Stronger Core

 

If you’re looking for an experienced chiropractor in Nitro, WV, you can have peace of mind knowing that Dr. Jay McClanahan and his team at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center will look after all your chiropractic needs. Instead of merely alleviating his patients' symptoms, Dr. McClanahan seeks to address the causes of their maladies. Honing good habits and making healthy lifestyle choices can prevent many ailments. Core strength is especially beneficial. Here is why.

What Is Your Core?

Most people use the terms “abs” and “core” interchangeably, thinking that they refer to the same muscles. Although the abs form part of your core, they are just a fraction of a large and dynamic group of muscles. Your core consists of all the muscles in and around your torso, including those in your pelvic floor, abdomen, and mid and lower back. These muscles are extremely important since they allow you to bend forward and backward, and also from side to side. In addition, your core keeps your ribs, spine, and pelvis aligned, and also protects them from injury.

What Are the Benefits of a Strong Core?

There are several compelling reasons why chiropractors encourage core strength. Here are a few:

  • Prevents injury: A strong core makes for a strong and resilient body that is less prone to experience injury.
  • Good posture: A good posture isn’t only more attractive to look at, but it also ensures good alignment of your body. You can ensure good posture by keeping your core strong. Doing so will slow down the wear and tear on your spine and will allow you to breathe more effectively.
  • Protects your organs: Some of your most important organs are located in and around your core. Strong core muscles provide improved protection for these organs.
  • Reduces back pain: A strong core ensures proper posture, which in turn prevents or reduces multiple common ailments, such as back pain.
  • Provides balance and stability: When you have a strong core, the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, and abdominals work together well, which results in improved balance and stability.

Professional Advice

It is far better to prevent injury and slow down the deterioration of your body due to wear and tear by honing good habits and making healthy lifestyle choices. Instead of requesting an appointment with Dr. McClanahan when you have pain or discomfort, be proactive and do some preventative maintenance. For professional advice and assistance regarding weight loss, nutrition, and an effective exercise regime, book your appointment on the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center website, or call them at (304) 776-1520.