Pain in the Upper Back

While it's not as common as lower back pain, patients do come to Dr. J. Chiropractic & Wellness, serving Nitro, WV, and the general vicinity, with upper back pain. Dr. Jay McClanahan would like you to know what the potential causes are as well as how we can help. 

General Information 

Pain in your upper back refers to pain in and around the thoracic portion of your spine. This is the middle region of your spine, located underneath your cervical spine in your neck. Additionally, it's pain that occurs above the lumbar region of your back, which is the lower portion of your back. 

Your upper back is limited on its range of motion because the rib cage holds it in place. When compared to other regions, your upper back is the most stable for this reason as well. However, this also changes the treatment approach. 

Causes of Upper Back Pain 

When you visit our office in Nitro, WV, our first task is to establish what could be causing your upper back pain. The aging process tends to take a toll on your spine, including the thoracic spine. 

If you're not practicing good posture as you sit or stand, you could be straining the soft tissue in this area, contributing to your back pain. 

During a fall, you could injure this area. For instance, you could fall on your back or hit your neck and upper back if you fall backward off of something high. Additionally, you could injure your upper back in another way that leads to a sprain or strain. 

Sometimes, the root cause has to do with an underlying condition you have that makes you more vulnerable to injuring this area, such as osteoarthritis. 

Treatment for Upper Back Pain 

The treatment you receive at our practice depends on the cause of your upper back pain. If it's from an injury, we'll focus on helping that part of your back recover. 

Sometimes, that treatment approach includes therapeutic exercise, which focuses on building the strength and flexibility of that area's soft tissues. A spinal alignment could also be part of your treatment, which helps to bring an increase in blood flow to the area to promote healing. 

On the other hand, massage therapy, ultrasound therapy, or electrical muscle stimulation may be part of the treatment, and so may lifestyle advice and posture correction. 

At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness in Nitro, WV, Dr. McClanahan offers a number of treatments to manage pain. Treatments often promote healing as well.

Book an appointment at our practice today for upper back pain relief through natural means by calling 304-776-1520.

Signs of Osteoarthritis

 

Signs of Osteoarthritis 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 58.5 million people in the U.S. have osteoarthritis -- a form of arthritis caused by wear and tear.

Because of how common this variety of arthritis is, Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness, serving Nitro, WV, and the nearby region, would like you to know the signs of look out for. So, which signs are most common?

Pain 

Pain is one of the most well-known signs of osteoarthritis. It occurs when you lose the cartilage at the end of the bone, which, as a result, leads to pain and discomfort. 

The joint pain you feel from this form of arthritis happens most often during or immediately following use. The pain will lessen as you rest, whether overnight while you sleep or as you stop using the joint in general. 

During your appointment at our office in Nitro, WV, our practitioner will ask you to gauge your pain on a scale of one to 10 and want to know when the pain occurs most often. 

Stiffness

Stiffness can occur with osteoarthritis, particularly as you sit or lay for prolonged periods. The stiffness you experience tends to decrease once you start to move the joint. 

Noticeable Swelling 

Swelling is your body's natural defense against damage. It occurs when your immune system sends white blood cells to combat the issue. When you have osteoarthritis, the joint may become swollen because your body is trying to heal the problem. Swelling, however, can intensify the pain. 

Loss of Range of Motion 

Osteoarthritis is one form of arthritis that can limit your range of motion. For instance, if it affects your shoulder, you may no longer be able to raise your arms straight up in the air. On the other hand, if it affects your knee joints, it could hinder your ability to walk. 

Grating Sensation 

With this condition, you might feel a grating sensation or hear snapping or crackling when you move the affected joint. While this can occur from bubbles in the synovial fluid, it can also stem from severe damage to the cartilage at the end of the bones. As a result, your bones may rub against one another because they no longer have that cushioning. 

Tenderness

Another symptom is tenderness to the touch. When you place pressure on the joint, it may feel tender. 

Pain, tenderness, and stiffness are all possible with osteoarthritis. Therefore, when you visit Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness, serving Nitro, WV, and the neighboring communities, these will be the signs he's looking for specifically. 

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

 

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash gets its name because the damage tends to stem from the neck being propelled in a manner similar to the cracking of a whip. It causes a variety of symptoms, but fortunately, Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness in Nitro, WV, can help.

But, what exactly is whiplash?

General Information 

Whiplash occurs when there is damage to the soft tissue in your neck. It can also include damage to the nerves in this region as well. 

Because of the damage from the impact, you experience a number of symptoms that tend to only last for a few weeks. However, long-term complications are possible. 

Symptoms of Whiplash 

Pain is one of the more common symptoms of whiplash. It may worsen when you move your neck a certain way. Stiffness is also possible.  

If the damage is to the nerves, you may also experience numbness, pain, weakness, burning, or tingling, which can extend throughout your shoulders and arms. 

It's also possible to have a loss of range of motion in your neck. 

Additionally, some people experience other symptoms, such as the following:

• Fatigue
• Memory problems
• Headaches
• Tenderness in the upper back, shoulders, or arms
• Dizziness
• Ringing in the ears
• Irritability
• Depression
• Trouble concentrating

 Causes 

As briefly noted above, whiplash occurs when your neck is forced, specifically forward, backward, and forward again. 

Most commonly, whiplash occurs from a rear-end collision. However, a sports-related injury or physical assault that forces your neck to go through these motions could also lead to this condition. 

Treatment

When you come to our chiropractic practice in Nitro, WV, our Dr. McClanahan will first determine if you have whiplash based on your symptoms. Though uncommon, our chiropractor may order imaging to rule out other potential injuries. 

Next, our chiropractor will determine a treatment plan tailored to your particular condition. This may consist of a cervical adjustment, which will realign the vertebrae and discs in your neck to relieve pressure on the discs and surrounding soft tissue. 

Usually, the treatment also includes exercise therapy, which consists of our practitioner guiding you through exercises that stretch the soft tissue in the neck. The exercises gradually increase in difficulty as you heal. They strengthen the soft tissue. In addition, the movements encourage an increase in blood flow to the area to help with the healing process. 

Whiplash can cause long-term effects, but at Dr. J. Chiropractic & Wellness, serving Nitro, WV, and the nearby region, Dr. McClanahan can help. We'll provide a comprehensive diagnostic process and provide treatments customized to the severity of your injury. 

Schedule an appointment at our practice today by calling 304-776-1520.

Chiropractic Care for Auto Accidents

 

At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan understands auto accidents can have a traumatic impact on you physically and mentally. Our team is ready to put a personalized plan of chiropractic care in place to help get you on the road to recovery.

Why You May Need Chiropractic Care After an Auto Accident

If you were in a car accident recently, you may be experiencing neck pain, back aches, a restricted range of motion or overall stiffness. However, if you seek treatment for these injuries in an emergency room or urgent care, the most you'll probably get is a prescription for pain and no real treatment plan (unless you have broken bones or life-threatening injuries).

Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV knows auto accidents often cause unseen trauma that may not appear too serious several days or even weeks after the event. Over time, the symptoms start to rear their ugly head and may start affecting your quality of life. So, it's critical to schedule a consultation with an experienced chiropractor to guarantee anti-inflammatory medications and prescription pain pills aren't just hiding underlying trauma.

How a Chiropractor Can Help

Instead of numbing symptoms through medication after a traumatic event, a chiropractor can locate what's causing the symptoms and recommend proven treatments to alleviate and eliminate pain. Here are three ways a chiropractor can help:

1. Reduce Inflammation

A chiropractor can adjust or manipulate your spine to reduce inflammation. Although some inflammation is your body's normal response to an injury, too much can damage muscle tissues. Spinal manipulation reduces cytokine production, which lowers your body's inflammatory response.

2. Reduce Scar Tissue

When your body attempts to heal itself after an injury from an auto accident, the response is often in the form of scar tissue. However, excessive scar tissue can cause persistent pain and stiffness. A chiropractor can break up the scar tissue, so the affected area heals faster.

3. Provide Non-Invasive Treatment

If you wait too long to seek treatment after an auto accident injury, you might need surgery to treat your injuries. However, scheduling an appointment immediately after the accident opens the door to non-invasive procedures like spinal manipulation, massage therapy, electrical muscle stimulation and therapy exercises.

At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan knows auto accidents often lead to more severe problems down the road. Schedule your consultation today by calling (304) 776-1520 to avoid the potential long-term consequences of not seeking chiropractic care immediately after an accident.  

Are Pregnancy Massages Safe?

 

If you’d like to experience a pregnancy massage in Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, Teays Valley, or Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan at the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center has the gentle, caring hands you need.

Are Pregnancy Massages Safe?

As a general rule, a pregnancy massage in Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, Teays Valley, and Nitro, WV with Dr. McClanahan is safe. However, it’s not usually a good idea if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, have congenital heart disease, or other issues that indicate a high-risk pregnancy. It’s also best to avoid a massage if you’ve had surgery or an organ transplant recently.

Most experts recommend waiting until after your first trimester. And it’s always important to get approval from your OB/GYN first. They’ll let you know if there’s any reason to avoid a massage. Unless they have any objections, a prenatal massage from Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center should not only be safe but can provide a variety of benefits.

Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

Among other things, a prenatal massage can offer three amazing benefits for pregnant women.

Relief of Pain, Tension, and Swelling

A woman’s body goes through a great deal during pregnancy. Everything shifts to accommodate a growing life and to bring that life into the world. While a beautiful process, it can cause several issues in the body.

One common issue in pregnancy is swelling, which is often caused by reduced circulation. It can also occur when the uterus puts pressure on blood vessels. The uterus also sometimes puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to pain, weakness, and more.

Pregnancy can also put pressure on the joints, muscles, and more, leading to pain, tension, and discomfort throughout the body. A prenatal massage can help improve circulation, relieve tension, increase oxygen to the muscles, and help relieve pressure on the nerves.

Regulation of Hormones

Massages are also proven to regulate hormones related to depression and anxiety, such as norepinephrine, cortisol, dopamine, and serotonin. Regulation of these hormones helps improve the mood and can even lead to fewer complications during delivery and a healthier baby.

Better Sleep Quality

As you carry around and care for the life inside of you, getting good quality sleep is essential. Unfortunately, this can be difficult during pregnancy, but pregnancy massages can help. The regulation of hormones, relaxation, and pain relief they provide can help you sleep as you should.

Experience the benefits of pregnancy massage in Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, Teays Valley, and Nitro, WV with Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center by calling (304) 776-1520 for an appointment.

Spinal Degeneration

 

If you’re suffering from or want to prevent spinal degeneration in Teays Valley, St. Albans, Charleston, Cross Lanes, or Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center can provide effective treatment options to help.

What is Spinal Degeneration?

The spine plays an essential role in your daily life. It is directly tied to your ability to walk, sit, stand, and bend. It helps you pick up your kids, work, unload the groceries, shower, and get dressed. It is also responsible for protecting your nerves.

Due to the daily wear and tear, the spine takes a beating constantly. Over time, it begins to wear down or degenerate, affecting the function of the entire body. Posture issues and injuries can cause it to wear down more quickly. This typically happens in four phases.

Phase 1: The first phase isn’t very severe, and you might not realize that there’s an issue yet. You’ll likely notice a slight difference in the curve of your spine and in your balance. Without treatment at this point, it can lead to pressure on the joints, nerves, and discs, affecting the posture.

Phase 2: The second phase is often accompanied by chronic fatigue, pain, and aches, which can all cause emotional and mental stress. These effects can lead to further changes in the posture, bone spurs, and narrowing discs. If you seek treatment for spinal degeneration in Teays Valley, St. Albans, Charleston, Cross Lanes, or Nitro, WV at this point, you still have a high chance of reversing the condition.

Phase 3: Life often changes tremendously at this point. Due to the effects of the first two phases, patients typically find themselves in a great deal of pain with less energy, nerve damage, more significant posture changes, advanced bone decay or deformation, and permanent scar tissue. It can be difficult to move as they once did. They lose some of their height and the curve of the spine becomes very pronounced. Dr. McClanahan can help reduce these symptoms and some of the effects.

Phase 4: The final phase of spinal degeneration brings extreme imbalance of the posture and limited mobility. Patients typically have permanent scar tissue, fused bones, extreme nerve damage, and severe calcium damage. Most of the damage at this point is irreversible. However, visiting Dr. McClanahan at the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center can help decrease your discomfort and pain while helping improve your quality of life.

Don’t let spinal degeneration in Teays Valley, St. Albans, Charleston, Cross Lanes, or Nitro, WV take over your life. Schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center by calling (304) 776-1520.

What is a Subluxation?

 

If you’re suffering from a subluxation in Teays Valley, St. Albans, Charleston, Cross Lanes, or Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center can help you achieve relief.

What Is a Subluxation?

A subluxation occurs when a joint becomes partially dislocated, and it typically occurs in the spine, elbow, patella, or shoulder. Subluxations are usually caused by two things: injuries and weakened joints.

While a major accident, like an auto accident, can certainly cause subluxation, less severe incidents can cause them, too. In fact, a small fall or grabbing a child’s arm to keep them from falling can cause a partial dislocation.

Weakened joints make it easier for subluxations to occur. Joints often weaken with age, due to inactivity, and even during pregnancy, as the weight and pressure loosen a mother’s joints and ligaments. Certain medical conditions, job activities, exercise, and repetitive motion can also make joints susceptible.

Symptoms

It’s often easy to overlook a subluxation. As they are not as pronounced as a break or a luxation, which is a full dislocation, they are not as easy to recognize. Therefore, it’s important to know the symptoms so that you can address the condition as soon as possible.

The most common symptoms include the following:

• Pain and swelling near a joint
• Changes in mobility, range of motion, or balance
• Numbness, stiffness, tingling, weakness, or instability around a joint

If you notice any of these symptoms of subluxations and live in Teays Valley, St. Albans, Charleston, Cross Lanes, or Nitro, WV, it’s important that you schedule a visit with Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center as soon as possible.

Treatments for Subluxations

One of the most effective treatments for partial dislocation is a chiropractic adjustment. Putting the joints back in their proper place can help reduce pain, inflammation, and discomfort. It can also take pressure off of the nearby joints and muscles, which can improve range of motion, balance, and more. Dr. McClanahan may also recommend therapeutic exercise to help address the issue and prevent further subluxations in the area.

Don’t let a subluxation slow you down in Teays Valley, St. Albans, Charleston, Cross Lanes, or Nitro, WV. Schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center by calling (304) 776-1520 today.